Wednesday, July 16, 2014

It’s Cherry Time!

Christmas is all about baking and sharing gifts. The holiday just seems to bring out the best in everyone, and it’s even better when we share the baking. I am sharing a wonderful cherry pie recipe, so you can enjoy that homemade taste anytime. 

I got my first bag of fresh cherries from Washington State, and I am in cherry heaven! Big, ripe, maroon, luscious cherries. One for the pie, and two for me. It’s been a bit too hot to fire up the oven, but a cold front is sweeping through the next two days, so there will be a nice yummy pie coming out of the oven soon. 

Here is a simple pie recipe that is easy to whip up and makes a fantastic cherry pie in no time. It tastes really good with ice cream!

Cherry Pie
Total Time: 1 hr 30 min.
Yield: 1 (8-inch) pie

Ingredients

4 cups fresh or frozen tart cherries (halve and core)
1 to 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 tablespoon almond extract (optional) (you can also substitute vanilla if you like. I don’t use either)

Your favorite pie crust or pie dough recipe ( I am using store bought this time around)
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, to dot

1 tablespoon granulated sugar, to sprinkle


Directions


  • Place cherries in medium saucepan and place over heat. Cover. After the cherries lose considerable juice, which may take a few minutes, remove from heat. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cornstarch together. Pour this mixture into the hot cherries and mix well. Add the almond extract, if desired, and mix. Return the mixture to the stove and cook over low heat until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and let cool. If the filling is too thick, add a little water, too thin, add a little more cornstarch.

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

  • Use your favorite pie dough recipe. Prepare your crust. Divide in half. Roll out each piece large enough to fit into an 8 to 9-inch pan. Pour cooled cherry mixture into the crust. Dot with butter. Moisten edge of bottom crust. Place top crust on and flute the edge of the pie. Make a slit in the middle of the crust for steam to escape. Sprinkle with sugar.

  • Bake for about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool.
This comes from the Food Network.

I can promise you, my cherry pies never look that good, but they dish up just fine. 

 
Ha, ha, this is why my pie is not the photo used at the top of this post.


While we are sharing, here are some wonderful gift ideas for those Christmas in July shopping trips. You need to buy them now before they are gone. Handmade gifts fly out of the artist’s studios, and in many cases, there is only one of these, and they cannot be repeated. If you see something here that you know someone on your list would love, BUY IT! Today.

Serendipity Studio
Dream - red poppies journal/notebook
Dream - red poppies journal/notebook
Faded Leaves Naturals

All Natural Lotion Bars with SHEA butter- peppermint, apple, wild orange, or unscented


KevsKrafts

Christmas In July Sale Dock Fishing Scene Christmas Ornament Handmade From Birch Plywood

Christmas In July Sale Dock Fishing Scene Christmas Ornament Handmade From Birch Plywood

PrettyGonzo

Polymer Clay Flower Bracelet with Carnelian Gemstones and Seeds, Earthy, Multicolor Yellow, Brown, Green

Polymer Clay Flower Bracelet with Carnelian Gemstones and Seeds, Earthy, Multicolor Yellow, Brown, Green

SewAmazin

Pink Flowers Surfer Girl Over-the-Collar Dog Bandana Reversible, Large

Pink Flowers Surfer Girl Over-the-Collar Dog Bandana Reversible, Large

Covergirlbeads

Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Focal Bead With Yellow And White Flowers

Blue Handmade Lampwork Glass Focal Bead With Yellow And White Flowers

KatsAllThat

Honey Bee Yellow Leather Black Agate Topaz BOHO Crystal Cuff Bracelet

Honey Bee Yellow Leather Black Agate Topaz Crystal Cuff Bracelet
http://bluemorningexpressions.com/shop/

Pink Flower Necklace with Yellow Beads Swarovski Crystals Handmade


postcardsintheattic

Antique Postcard Pansy Flowers Sailboat Scene "Best Wishes"

"Dont let the cobwebs of forgetfulness or the sands of father time.." 1910s

Antique Postcard Pansy Flowers Sailboat Scene "Best Wishes" "Dont let the cobwebs of forgetfulness or the sands of father time.." 1910s
ElunaJewelry

Moss Agate - Golden Moss Agate and Sterling Silver Necklace

Moss Agate - Golden Moss Agate and Sterling Silver Necklace

adorebynat

Bumble Bee Cupcake Toppers for Birthday or Baby Shower or Any Party

Bumble Bee Cupcake Toppers for Birthday or Baby Shower or Any Party

Umeboshi

Bright and Sunny Yellow Dotted Dichroic Glass Handmade Dangle Earrings

Bright and Sunny Yellow Dotted Dichroic Glass Handmade Dangle Earrings

jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Handmade Beaded Bangle Bracelet Maltese Cross Riverstone Gemstone

Handmade Riverstone Gemstone Brown yellow beaded bangle bracelet

TheTwistedRedhead

Prize Bananas, Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa, California, Art Photo

Prize Bananas, Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa, California, Art Photo

ShadowDogDesigns

Lampwork Boro Bead Bracelet Handmade Labradorite Hematite Beaded OOAK

Lampwork Boro Bead Bracelet Handmade Labradorite Hematite Beaded OOAK

Wyverndesigns

Bumble Bee Beads

Bumble Bee Beads

hollyknittercreations

Hand Knit Yellow All Cotton Butterfly Baby Picture Wash Cloth

Hand Knit Yellow All Cotton Butterfly Baby Picture Wash Cloth

SolanaKaiDesigns

Rainbow Crystal Prism Beaded Window Suncatcher Ornament Blue Yellow

Crystal Prism Beaded Window Suncatcher Ornament

Thesingingbeader

Girls cat pendant necklace yellow or blue Lampwork bead Hello Kitty

Girls cat pendant necklace yellow or blue Lampwork bead Hello Kitty

dianesdangles

Citrine Gemstone Nugget White Freshwater Pearl Bracelet, Yellow 8 Inch

Citrine Gemstone Nugget White Freshwater Pearl Bracelet, Yellow 8 Inchc

Lots of sharing today!
Here is a page I set up with tweets for everyone. Please copy and tweet. http://bmebluprint.blogspot.com/2014/07/christmas-in-july-countdown-tweet-post.html
Also, if you are participating in the weekend posts, please make sure you are sharing everyone’s post on at least one of your social networks. 

Thanks!

Julie and Blu

PS – I will be collecting your Christmas recipes in August for the next edition of the From Our Hands to Yours ezine, so have three of your all time favorites ready. It would be really cool if they were somehow a cultural or ethnic recipe that is part of your family tradition. I will be asking you for family traditions as well. There, now you know the next secret :)

15 comments:

  1. Oh, my gosh, I want to bite into a big slice of cherry pie right now! Pies don't have to be picture perfect to taste heavenly! Have been gorging on cherries for the past 2-3 weeks, especially the Rainier cherries, my favorites, which unfortunately have a very short season in the stores here. Fab post, Julie and Blu! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and also my bracelet. Will inundate the world now with the post. Thanks again. Seamus sends doggie treats to his friend, Blu, and says Rainier cherries are tasty to dogs, too (well, at least to him).

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  2. I agree with Catherine! I was a piece of that pie!

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  3. You don't even have to cut a piece for me...I'll just grab a big ole' forkful right from the pan :) Actually, I prefer a 'rustic' looking pie myself; who has time to channel Martha Stewart, especially when mouths are watering? Thanks for the post, JulieandBlu - will start spreadin' the news (I DO, however, have time to channel Frank Sinatra).

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  4. My mouth is watering, I love cherry pie, thank you for the recipe and adding my citrine and pearl bracelet to your post. Shared!

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  5. I think YOUR cherry pie looks like I might want a piece! Thanks for the recipe and thanks for the promotion for my bright yellow dichroic glass earrings! I think I will share your blog with my FB friends.

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  6. Have pinned all to the perfect gifts board in pinterest! Thank you Julie :)

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  7. Ugly pie usually tastes the best! Thanks for the recipe, the promotional blog, and showing my yellow kitty pendant necklace, Julie and Blu! Sharing....

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  8. Wonderful post, Julie and beautiful Blu! Many thanks for the recipe and for including my bracelet among your lovely picks for this post. :) Off to share!

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  9. all shared! Bahahaha ugly and rustic!

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  10. I agree with Constance. My MIL had a husband, six kids and her in-laws living with her at one time. She always made pies the "lazy" way. Roll the crust out a little bigger than your pie plate, fill and flip the leftover crust up. Voila! Instant pie. Faster and the pie crust went further without having to roll out a top crust and with six hungry kids, the more pies the better.

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  11. All this talk of pies is making me so hungry!! Now I can't wait for fall which is when I start making mine. As if the food wasn't enough....you make me hungry with these beautiful creations you have displayed here. Thank you for adding my honey bee bracelet. Will definitely be promoting all over. OHHH..and recipes for the holidays....yummmm

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  12. Got everyone pinned, saved, tweeted and hastagged.....happy sales.

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  13. Thanks so much for the delicious virtual cherry pie! Now to make it! And thanks for sharing my lampwork focal bead.

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  14. Your pie is gorgeous - it's made by loving hands. I love to bake pies too. Hmm haven't made a cherry pie in ages but Colorado peaches are almost here! I like the honeybee and bright cheerful yellow theme running through your handmade selections this week. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Your pie looks yummy to eat! I'd eat it!! Mine would come worse than that, lol. Thank you so much for including my bumble bee cupcake toppers. Off to share.

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