Valentine's Cherry Pie 2 Ways

Ingredients
Crust
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter chilled and diced
4 - 8 tbsp ice water
Filling
2 pounds unpitted sweet cherries or 5 cups pitted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 to 4 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes
egg wash 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water, mix well
vanilla ice cream
Instructions

Crust

1. In a large bowl, add all-purpose flour and salt, then mix well.
2. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add into the bowl. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water gradually to form moist clumps (best to add 1 tablespoon at a time).
4. Transfer dough mixture onto a dry board sprinkled with flour. Use the heel of your hand and smear the dough little by little across the board.
5. Make the dough into a ball, and divide in half. Form each into a ball, and then flatten into rounds. Wrap separately in plastic or place in zip-lock bags.
6. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
7. Flour a work surface. Remove one round from fridge and roll it out to about 12 inches across using a rolling pin.
8. Butter the pie plate and transfer the pie dough to the plate, pressing the bottom and edges into place.

Filling

1. Add pitted cherries to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes until you see juice coming out of cherries.
2. Add sugar and cornstarch to the saucepan and stir. Mix well.
3. Add lemon juice, vanilla extract and almond extract. Stir and cook until thickened.
4. Taste test and add more sugar or lemon juice according to your preference.
5. Remove from the heat and let cool. If the filling is too thick, you can add more water, if it’s too thin, add more cornstarch.

Baking

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Add cherry filling.
3. For another rolled out pie dough, cut small hearts using a heart shaped cookie cutter (see video).
4. Seal and trim the edges and bake for 20 minutes uncovered, and another 15 to 20 minutes covered with aluminum foil.
5. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!