Michigan Tart Cherry Pie

LORRI SMITH, Peace Pie, Marquette

2 lbs fresh or frozen tart cherries

3/4 cup white sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp almond extract

1 8" pre-made pie crust

In a large pot, combine cherries, sugar, flour, and salt. Heat the pot and stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Continue stirring for approx. 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add butter, lemon juice and almond extract. Allow to fully cool before assembling pie or refrigerate overnight.

This pie is beautiful with a lattice crust! It is also delicious with Almond Oatmeal Crumble on top!

Place pie on a cookie sheet - the juices will bubble over.

Pie is done when crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling over.

ALMOND OATMEAL STREUSEL CRUMBLE

2/3 cup flour1/2 cup oats1/4 cup brown sugar1 tsp cinnamon6 Tbsp butter, melted1/2 tsp almond extract¼ cup slivered almondsOptional sugar, to top

Mix flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt butter and add almond extract to melted butter. Add butter mixture to flour mixture. Add almonds. Combine and sprinkle over pie filling. Optionally, sprinkle additional sugar over the top.