Michigan Sour Cherry Pie from First Slice Pie Cafe – Photo Courtesy of First Slice Pie Cafe (Chicago, IL)
I top Oatmeal with chopped up Cherries. While this breakfast will never be as tasty or decadent as a slice of Cherry Pie, it’s still quite good.
I think what makes Cherry Pie (and even my Oatmeal-Cherry combo) so special is knowing that most Cherry types have a short season. Therefore the Cherry Pie (or other Cherry delicacy) should definitely be savored.
And of course Mother Nature can make fruits even scarcer.
Cherry Rhubarb Lattice Pie from Three Babes Bakeshop – Photo Courtesy of Three Babes Bakeshop (San Francisco)
Lenore Estrada from San Francisco-based Three Babes Bakeshop said this year’s drought depleted the Cherry crop. The Cherries that growers had left were sold at the higher, retail prices. Lenore said “We offered Cherry Pies only one week this year and they sold out within minutes of their announcement on our menu – they are loved!”
Cherry Almond Double Crust Pie from The Pie Hole – Photo Courtesy of The Pie Hole (Los Angeles)
The Pie Hole, based in Los Angeles, offers an extremely popular Cherry Pie. But it’s only available in the summer.
Lauretta Jean’s Cherry Pie – Photo Courtesy of Lauretta Jean’s (Portland, OR)
Of course, canned Cherries can be used for Cherry Pie. Kate McMillen of Lauretta Jean’s, based in Portland, Oregon, said she offers a very popular Tart Cherry Pie, based on her grandmother’s original recipe. In keeping with the recipe, a specific canned Cherry is used. Kate said “That pie will be available in the fall again when we can get our hands on the right Cherry – they are processing and canning the Cherries now.” Also on the Cherry Pie line-up: a Sour Cherry and Apricot Pie, available for just a few weeks.
Whether it’s available for a short few weeks or year-round, people sure like Cherry Pie
Cherry Pie from A La Mode Pies – Photo Courtesy of A La Mode Pies (Seattle)
Chris Porter, of Seattle-based A La Mode Pies, said its Sour Cherry Pie is very popular. In fact, “it’s a favorite that never leaves the menu…..it’s hard to operate a Pie shop without a Cherry Pie on the menu.”
And Cherry Pie can be gussied up and paired with other fruit.
Mini Cherry Pies (“Cutie Pies”) from Petsi Pies – Photo Courtesy of Petsi Pies (Somerville, MA)
Somerville, Massachusetts-based Petsi Pies offers a Cherry Crumb Pie, made with red tart Cherries. But as Bakery Manager Jackie Bowers notes, if you prefer other toppings, your choices include Oat Crumb (instead of the regular White Crumb), Lattice, or Pastry. And it’s available in different sizes, including a 2″ “Cutie Pie.”
Cherry + Peach Pie from Simply Delicious Pies – Photo Courtesy of Simply Delicious Pies (Shaker Heights, OH)
Beth Kaboth, Co-owner /Manager of Simply Delicious Pies in Shaker Heights, Ohio, said that while the plain Cherry is the most popular of the Cherry Pies, other varieties include Cherry + Apple + Blueberry and Cherry + Peach.
Ontario Sour Cherry Pie and Tarts from Wanda’s Pie in the Sky – Photo Courtesy of Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (Toronto)
Toronto bakery, Wanda’s Pie in the Sky offers a variety of Cherry delicacies: Ontario Sour Cherry Pie; Apple Cherry Crumble; Cherry Apricot Pie; and Very Berry Pie. Wanda’s Leora Winkler notes that these pies are available in different sizes. Cherry Pie purists should rejoice – the Ontario Sour Cherry Pie recently won an award at a pie competition.
I’ll be dreaming of Cherry Pies!
Dessert Surveillance 