Happy Father's Day

This post is dedicated to my dad. Most kids are probably with their dad's celebrating, but when you're all grown up and your dad lives a 1,000 miles away you have to do things a little different.

When I was in elementary school I recall asking my dad what was his favorite kinda of dessert. He responded saying "Pie". "Why didn't you have pie at your wedding then?" I said. "Well, because mother wanted cake" he replied. From then on I made a mental note that when I get married and my future husband wants pie at our wedding... we'll have pie.

One of dad's favorite kinds of pie is cherry pie. Since it is spring and cherries are in season, plentiful and a good buy at the grocery store I made personal cherry pies in honor of my dad.

Wish I was with you to share all these mini cherry pies with, but have a great Father's Day!

The Recipe:

Cherry Pie

Serves: One 9" pie or 4 to 5 mini ramkin pies

Ingredients:

1 bag of fresh cherries pitted

1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons of cornstarch

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 tablespoons butter

Pillsbury Pie Crust dough (room temperature)

To Start: in a large mixing bowl combine your cherries, sugar, cornstarch, salt and almond extract. Stir until cherries are all coated and moist. If you are making a regular size pie then follow the directions on the pie crust box which uses both pie crusts. If you are making your pie in ramkin dishes do not put a bottom layer of crust in the ramkin.

Unroll your dough, then something like a glass or cut circles in your dough for the top crust of your little ramkin pies. Equally fill each ramkin with cherries and then put a little slice of butter on top. Put the dough on top of the cherries and press the dough into the ramkin. Cut a few holes in the top of the pie, place pies on a cooking sheet and place in a preheated oven at 400 degree F.

I set my timer for 20 minutes and basically watch the crust. After 20 minutes if it still isn't golden then I set my timer at 5 minute increments until the crust is golden brown. Take the pies out and let cook. Here is the greatest thing about personal ramkin pies. The fruit cookes down a bit so if you want your cherry pie with some vanilla ice cream simply put a big scoop on top the of crust and press down. The crust will break, but there is still plenty of room for the ice cream and pie in the same ramkin.

Notes About the Recipe: Vary our sugar amount depending on the sweetness of your cherries or on how much you enjoy a tart cherry pie.