Presidential Cherry Pie
A luscious cherry pie with a flaky crust and sweet-tart filling, perfect for holiday gatherings or summer dessert tables, appealing to fruit lovers and pie enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Equal sweetener ⓘ
- 1/3 cup instant tapioca ⓘ
- 1/3 cup cornstarch ⓘ
- 8 pounds tart cherries ⓘ
- 4 nine-inch pie crusts ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons soft butter
- 4 ten-inch pie crusts ⓘ
- 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 3 cups granulated sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups corn oil ⓘ
- 4 large eggs ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups shelled walnuts ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut ⓘ
- 1 1/3 cups pureed cooked carrots
- 3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple ⓘ
- Cream Cheese Frosting ⓘ
- confectioners sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease two 9-inch layer cake pans and line them with wax paper.
- Sift dry ingredients into a bowl.
- Add corn oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
- Beat well until combined.
- Fold in chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, pureed carrots, crushed pineapple, and raisins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
- Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until edges have pulled away from sides and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a cake rack for 3 hours.
- Fill the cake with cream cheese frosting and frost the sides.
- Dust the top with confectioners sugar before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. If you don't have corn oil, vegetable oil works well as a substitute. To enhance the flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of almond extract. Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the wet ingredients, as this can lead to a denser cake. For a twist, try incorporating some dried fruit.
Serving Suggestions
This Presidential Cherry Pie is best served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea and makes a delightful dessert for any gathering. For a festive touch, serve it alongside the Old Fashion Tea Cookies for a charming dessert platter.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate it for a week. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, simply let it sit at room temperature for about an hour, then warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until just warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Presidential Cherry Pie contains roughly 2766 calories, with 14g protein, 233g carbohydrates, and 204g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (116% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (74% of the Daily Value), and iron (40% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 719mg per serving (31% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen tart cherries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before using to avoid excess moisture in your pie. This will help maintain the right texture and flavor in your Presidential Cherry Pie.
How do I know when the pie is done baking?
The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. You can check the doneness by inserting a knife into the filling; it should come out clean. Baking times may vary based on your oven, so keep an eye on it during the last few minutes.
What can I substitute for Equal sweetener?
If you prefer not to use Equal sweetener, you can substitute it with an equal amount of granulated sugar or honey, keeping in mind that honey may add moisture to the filling. Adjust the other ingredients accordingly to maintain the right consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).