Instructions

  1. Drain Cherries, reserving 1 cup juice; set cherries aside.
  2. Combine 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan; stir mixture to remove lumps.
  3. Stir cherry juice into sugar mixture.
  4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened.
  5. Remove from heat; stir in cherries, 1/2 cup sugar, butter, and almond extract.
  6. Stir in food coloring, if desired.
  7. Line a 9" pieplate with half of pastry.
  8. Pour cherry mixture into the pastry shell.
  9. Cover with top crust.
  10. Trim edges of pastry; seal and crimp edges.
  11. Cut slits in top of crust for steam to escape.
  12. Bake at 425° for 45-55 minutes or until golden.
  13. Yield: one 9" pie.