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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Cherry Pie With Frozen Cherries

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This cherry pie with frozen cherries is an absolute delight, made with sweet cherries, lemon zest, and almond extract. Bite into the most delicious cherry mixture paired with a buttery flaky pie crust – guaranteed to be the hit of any party, picnic, or holiday event. The perfect dessert to make year round, whether it’s cherry season or not!

Cherry pie with frozen cherries on a white cutting board, topped with ice cream and garnished with mint.

This dreamy cherry pie will win over anyone who tries it. The flaky homemade pie crust is loaded with the best cherry pie filling ever! It gets even more impressive with the sugar sprinkled lattice design on top of the pie. The best part? Since this is a cherry pie recipe using frozen cherries, you don’t have to wait until cherry season! Enjoy it year round!

My favorite thing is that this recipe is so versatile. You can use the filling and crust in so many different ways. If you have been looking for a favorite pie crust recipe to use again and again for any pie, this is the one! And the filling? Try it out as a topping over ice cream, layered in yogurt parfait, or drizzled on top of oatmeal. The possibilities are endless!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Anytime: Whether you have an upcoming special occasion or simply love pie, this cherry pie filling using frozen cherries works for any occasion!
  • Minimal Ingredients: You don’t need to stock up on a lot to make this frozen cherries pie recipe.
  • Easy To Make: Making a homemade pie crust is easier than you might think! All you need is a little time and patience and your pie will turn out perfectly every time.
  • Saves You Time: You will be pleasantly surprised when making this easy cherry pie with frozen cherries! It comes together with minimal effort but looks so impressive! Using frozen cherries is an easy way to save some time and ensure the best quality fruit for your pie.

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

This frozen cherries cherry pie requires standard homemade pie ingredients easily found at most grocery stores. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for nutritional information. Here is what you need for the best cherry pie recipe with frozen cherries:

Ingredients for cherry pie with frozen cherries recipe on a white background.
  • For The Pie Crust: You’ll need all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, cold butter (to make the crust super flaky), and ice-cold water to balance the consistency of the crust. This cherry pie crust recipe is super minimal yet delicious!
  • For The Cherry Filling: You’ll use frozen pitted cherries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, almond extract, butter, and corn starch to thicken the filling so it’s the perfect consistency. Cherry pie filling from frozen cherries is so simple!
  • For The Topping: You’ll need an egg – for the egg wash, which gives a beautiful sheen to the top of the pie, and a little bit of sugar sprinkled on the top crust– either granulated or coarse sugar works well for this cherry pie with frozen cherries recipe.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

  • Fruit: If you happen to not enjoy frozen cherries in pie, use other types of frozen berries like blueberries, blackberries, or a berry medley.
  • Flour: Experiment with other flours like whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, cassava flour, or coconut flour. Just keep in mind that if you don’t use all purpose flour, the texture of your crust will change.
  • ​Citrus: You can play around with different citrus blends like lime juice, orange juice, and orange zest for an equally tasty frozen cherry pie filling recipe. You can even use cherry juice in place of the lemon juice for a more mellow taste.
  • Extract: Add a few drops of vanilla extract instead of almond for a different flavor profile in this frozen cherry dessert.
  • Starch: Use tapioca starch or arrowroot to thicken the pie filling if you do not have cornstarch.

🔪 How To Make Cherry Pie With Frozen Cherries

Making cherry pie with frozen cherries is the easiest way to get the perfect cherry pie! Here is how to make this recipe:

Prepare The Pastry: Place the flour, sugar and salt into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times to combine. Add the diced cold butter to the flour mixture and continue to pulse until the butter resembles small pea sized pieces.

Ingredients for pie crust in a food processor.

Form Dough: While the food processor is running, pour in cold water until a dough begins to form. Transfer the dough to a bench and bring the dough together.

Pie dough being kneaded on a floured surface.

Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half and form 2 discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

Homemade pie crust wrapped in plastic wrap.

Combine Filling Ingredients: Meanwhile prepare the filling. Place cherries, sugar, lemon juice, zest, cornstarch, and almond extract in a pan on the stovetop. Stir continuously over a low heat until the mixture has thickened, this may take between 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

Frozen cherries for cherry pie filling, cooking in a pot on the stove.

Roll Out Dough: Once the pie dough has chilled, remove one disc and use a rolling pin to roll it into a circle approximately ⅛ inch thick on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9 inch pie pan. 

Pie crust being rolled out with a rolling pin on a countertop.

Add Bottom Crust & Pie Filling: Line the pie dish with pastry for the bottom pie crust and press it gently into place.

Pie crust being pressed into a baking dish on a white countertop.

Fill Pie Crust: Fill with the cooled cherry filling. Arrange the diced butter pieces over the filling.

Cherry pie filling made with frozen cherries, added to pie crust in a pie tin.

Chill & Prep Top Pastry Layer: Place the pie in the fridge while preparing the top layer of pastry. Roll the remaining pastry approximately ⅛ inch thick and large enough to cover the pie dish. Cut the pastry into 10 strips approximately 1 inch wide using a sharp knife or pastry cutter. These will be used to top the pie.

Pie crust being cut into strips for lattice design.

Brush With Egg Wash: Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush the edges of the pastry.

Pie crust being assembled into a lattice design on top of the cherry pie.

Form Lattice Top: Lay 6 strips parallel over the top of the filling, leaving a small space between each strip. Fold back every second strip and lay the remaining 4 strips in a lattice design over the pie. Weave the strips over and under each other to cover the pie filling.

Pie crust being formed into a lattice design on top of a pie.

Trim Edges & Seal: Trim the edges of the pastry with a sharp knife. Using your fingers, crimp the pastry to seal the edges. Chill the pie for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 C.

Unbaked cherry pie made with frozen cherries, ready to be placed in the oven.

Brush Top & Sprinkle Sugar: Brush the top of your cherry pie made from frozen cherries with the whisked egg, and finish off with a sprinkle of sugar.

Frozen cherry pie crust being brushed with egg wash before being placed in the oven.

Bake, Cool, Serve: Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 40-50 minutes, until the buttery crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 hours before serving and enjoying.

Homemade baked cherry pie with frozen cherries cooling on a wire rack.

💭 Expert Tips

  • Pastry Temperature Matters: Cold pastry equals a flaky crust, so for best results, it’s essential to make sure your homemade crust stays cold. 
  • Avoid Spillage: Sometimes pie filling can boil over a bit while cooking. You can place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any potential spillage.
  • Save Time: While you will get the most delicious buttery pie crust with this recipe you can save time and use store-bought pie crusts. The frozen cherry pie filling is the true star of the show so either way you will have one of the best fruit pies around!
  • Cool The Pie: Allow the filling to set for at least 2 hours before serving so it has time to set and thicken.

📖 Variations 

  • Blueberry Pie: Make this a delicious blueberry pie by swapping out the cherries for frozen blueberries. This butter pie crust goes perfectly with any frozen or fresh fruit!
  • Fresh Cherry Pie: You can also use fresh cherries in this recipe, but you’ll need to remove the pit and stem from each pitted cherry first!
  • Cherry Crumb Pie Recipe: Instead of a lattice top you can make a crumble to sprinkle over the top of the pie with flour, sugar, and butter.
  • Sour Cherry Pie: If you prefer a pie filling that is more on the tart side you can use sour cherries (also known as tart cherries) for a regular tart cherry pie.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this homemade cherry pie with frozen cherries served on a pie plate and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. If you want to enhance it even more, here are a few suggestions:

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

This cherry pie recipe with frozen cherries is made with all the classic cherry pie ingredients so it does not cater to certain dietary needs. However, you can adjust this recipe with a few simple changes:

  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten free alternative. The texture will be different but you will still have a tasty pie crust for cherry pie. You can also follow my gluten free pie crust recipe!
  • Vegan Option: Use vegan butter in this recipe for cherry pie using frozen cherries to keep it vegan and dairy free. You will also need to swap the egg in the egg wash for aquafaba or almond milk. Sometimes sugar is not vegan, so be sure to check the packaging for a vegan certification or use an alternative sweetener like coconut sugar.
  • Sugar Free Option: If you prefer a pie with no added sugar, you can replace the sugar with a natural alternative like maple syrup or honey. Stevia and monk fruit can also work in this homemade cherry pie recipe. You can adjust the amount of sugar if you are just looking for a lower sugar option.

🫙 Storage Directions

Here is how to store and keep this cherry pie made with frozen cherries:

  • To Store In The Fridge: Store leftover pie, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store individual slices in an airtight container. Pastry can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before assembling and baking the pie.
  • To Freeze: If you plan to freeze the whole pie for a later time, you can freeze it unbaked. Store the sweet cherry pie securely covered in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: When ready to bake the pie, allow the frozen cherry pie to thaw in the fridge and then bake in the oven at 350 F for 40-50 minutes.

❓Recipe FAQs

HOW DO YOU MAKE A CHERRY PIE NOT RUNNY?

If you find that the cherry pie filling with frozen cherries is too runny, there are three things you can do. First, make sure you cook down the filling on the stove, reducing it to a thicker consistency. Second, you can use a little more thickener like cornstarch, tapioca, or arrowroot. Third, don’t slice the pie while it’s still hot! If you do, some of the juices will leak out and it will be runny. Let the cherry pie cool and set for about 2 hours before slicing and serving.

CAN YOU USE FROZEN CHERRIES FOR CHERRY PIE?

Absolutely! While you can use fresh sweet cherries, I find that making cherry pie from frozen cherries is way easier! You won’t have to stress about purchasing a cherry pitter to remove every pit from the cherries. With frozen cherries, that is already taken care of and they are ready to go!

WHAT ARE THE BEST CHERRIES FOR CHERRY PIE?

When making a homemade cherry pie filling it is up to you which cherries you use! You can go with sour cherries, rainier cherries, dark sweet cherries, or a mix. Note that since sour cherries are smaller, you will need to use more for the filling.

ARE FROZEN DARK SWEET CHERRIES GOOD FOR YOU?

Yes! Frozen cherries will be equally as good for you as fresh cherries. Dark sweet cherries are high in vitamin A to support eye health and skin health. They also have vitamin C, potassium, copper, manganese, and fiber! One of the best things about dark cherries is that they are packed with antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation within the body. You can even enjoy some on their own before bed for a natural boost of melatonin to help you sleep – but don’t worry, this cherry pie recipe from frozen cherries can be enjoyed any time of day!

Slice of cherry pie with frozen cherries on a white plate, topped with ice cream and garnished with mint.

🍒 More Fruit Dessert Recipes!

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

Cherry pie with frozen cherries on a white cutting board, topped with ice cream and garnished with mint.
Print Recipe
5 from 28 votes

Cherry Pie With Frozen Cherries

This cherry pie with frozen cherries is an absolute delight, made with sweet cherries, lemon zest, and almond extract. Bite into the most delicious cherry mixture paired with a buttery flaky pie crust – guaranteed to be the hit of any party, picnic, or holiday event. The perfect dessert to make year round, whether it's cherry season or not!
Prep Time50 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Chill Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time3 hours 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

For The Pastry Crust

For The Filling

For The Egg Wash

Instructions

  • Prepare the pastry: place the flour, sugar and salt into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several time to combine.
  • Next, add the diced cold butter to the flour mixture and continue to pulse until the butter resembles small pea sized pieces.
  • While the food processor is running pour in cold water until a dough begins to form.
  • Transfer the dough to a bench and bring the dough together, divide in half and form 2 discs.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Meanwhile prepare the filling by mixing the sugar, lemon juice, zest, cornstarch, almond extract and frozen cherries.
  • Stir continuously over a low heat until the mixture has thickened, this may take between 8-10 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
  • Once the dough has chilled remove one disc and roll it into a circle approximately ⅛ inch thick on a lightly floured bench to fit a 9 inch pie dish.
  • Line the pie dish with pastry and fill with the cooled cherry filling. Arrange the diced butter pieces over the filling.
  • Place the pie in the fridge while preparing the top layer of pastry.
  • Roll the remaining pastry approximately ⅛ inch thick and large enough to cover the pie dish.
  • Cut the pastry into 10 strips approximately 1 inch wide, these will be used to top the pie.
  • Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush the edges of the pastry.
  • Lay 6 strips parallel over the top of the pie, leaving a small space between each strip.
  • Fold back every second strip and lay the remaining 4 strips in a lattice design over the pie.
  • Weave the strips over and under each other to cover the pie filling.
  • Trim the edges of the pastry with a knife.
  • Using your fingers, crimp the pastry to seal the edges.
  • Chill the pie for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 C.
  • Brush the top of the pie with the whisked egg and finish off with a sprinkle of sugar.
  • Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 40-50 minutes.
  • Remove form the oven and allow to cool for 2 hours before serving and enjoying.

Notes

  • It’s important to keep the pastry as cold as possible to ensure the flakiest of pastries.
  • Chilling the pastry between each stage is very important.
  • Make sure the butter used is very cold.
  • Allow the pie to cool and come to room temperature before serving to allow the filling to completely set.
  • Serve the pie with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream.
  • Store leftover pie, covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Pastry can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before assembling and baking the pie.
  • Allow the filling to cool completely before filling the pie crust. Adding warm filling will start to melt the pastry.
  • If the pastry begins to brown quickly, loosely cover with a sheet of foil.
  • To save time you can roll the second sheet of pastry into one large circle and cover the pie with it instead of creating a lattice design. Just remember to slice some holes to allow the steam to escape while cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g

52 responses to “Cherry Pie With Frozen Cherries”

  1. Love this idea! I always pick too many cherries during the season, and then the only thing I can ever think of to make with them is smoothies. Can’t wait to try this!5 stars

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