Cozy Tart Cherry Crumb Pie (Homemade & Easy)
Tart Cherry Crumb Pie
A tart cherry crumb pie is one of those desserts that feels like home. Michigan tart cherries, a buttery crust, and a sweet crumb topping come together in a pie that works for holidays, potlucks, or any day you’re craving something cozy. If you freeze cherries each summer like we do, this recipe is a perfect way to use them all year long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tart Michigan cherries give bright, bold flavor
- Crumb topping adds sweetness without overpowering the fruit
- Works with homemade or store‑bought crust
- Easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for gatherings
- Perfect make‑ahead dessert for holidays
What You’ll Learn
- Best ways to thicken cherry filling
- Whether homemade crust matters
- How to prevent leaks in the oven
- Tips for using frozen cherries
- How to make crumb topping quickly
We love to have a cherry, pumpkin and apple pie during the holidays. (and sometimes just because a pumpkin roll)
Homemade Tart Cherry Crumb Pie
This pie starts with tart cherries tossed with sugar and a thickener so the filling sets up nicely. A crumb topping made with butter, sugar, and flour gives the perfect sweet crunch. You can use your favorite homemade crust or a store‑bought one if you’re short on time. Either way, this pie delivers that classic cherry flavor everyone loves.
Tips for the Best Tart Cherry Crumb Pie
- Store‑bought crust adjustments: Reduce cherries by 1 cup so it doesn’t overflow.
- Homemade crust advantage: A deep‑dish Pyrex helps prevent leaking and holds more filling.
- Prevent oven mess: Bake on a sheet pan or rack to catch drips.
- Separate the pie tin: Use a spatula before cooling so it doesn’t stick.
- Quick crumb topping: Use a food processor or cheese grater for the butter.
- Try cherry cobbler: If you love this pie, cobbler is another great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes. Thaw and drain them so the filling doesn’t get watery.
Do I need corn starch or flour?
Yes. Either one helps thicken the juices so the pie sets properly.
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely. Bake, cool, and store at room temperature for a day or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze cherry crumb pie?
Yes. Freeze fully baked and cooled for up to 3 months.
Can I use sweet cherries instead?
You can, but reduce the sugar so the filling isn’t overly sweet.
Tart Cherry Crumb Pie (Homemade & Easy)
Ingredients
Cherry Pie
- 1 deep dish pie crust
- 48 ounces frozen cherries, pitted
- 1 â…“ cups sugar
- ½ cup corn starch
Crumb Topping
- â…“ cup flour
- 1 stick cold salted butter (1/2 cup)
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
Pie Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Roll your pie crust out and place into your pie pan. (or just get your store bought crust out of the fridge)
- In a bowl, mix the corn starch and sugar together.
- Add the sugar mix over your cherries and coat well.
- Place the cup of frozen cherries at the bottom of your pan.
Crumble Topping Instructions
- In a food processor (or bowl), mix the flour and sugar together.
- Add the butter and cut the butter in with a pastry blender.
- Give up because it's too hard to incorporate and put it in the food processor or get the hand mixer out.
- Sprinkle topping on top of the cherries until covered.
- Place the pie onto a backing sheet and then place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- When the crumb topping starts to turn brown, turn the oven down to 350.
- Bake for an additional 40-45 minutes or until the pie filling starts to bubble.
Video
Notes
Are the flour and corn starch reversed in the ingredients? You have flour in the cherry mix and corn starch in the crumble. I think these are reversed but I’m not sure how much of each to add when I fix that mix up?
Sorry about that! It’s fixed.
Thank you! Can’t wait to make this!!
This recipe looks wonderful, can’t wait to try it~ I love anything with cherries~Lynn
I hope you enjoy it Lynn. It was devine!
I need to make this for my husband, what a treat!
I think he would love it Jaclyn. A great treat. I’m thinking of making another now myself.
Mmmmmm!!! That looks sooooooo good! I know my kids will kill for just a bite of that scrummy pie!
It was Veronica. The crumb topping was to die for.
Oh wow, this looks so good. I love cherry pie 🙂
It is one of my favorites too, next to Apple and Pumpkin.
Me too. It was delicious.
This looks yummy. I love cherry, my family loves apples, I can probably substitues apple filling instead of the cherry filling.
You can definitely use the fruit that your family loves most to make this pie!
that looks so good
That looks good. I’m not really a cherry pie fan. I guess other fruit can be used in place.
You could definitely put any fruit in there you want to make a pie. I just have canned cherries.
that looks so god right now! sadly im a horrible cool haha
I must admit, I ate it all. Not at once, but it was sooo good.
I’m always looking for recipes that can be made with ease and have a minimal amount of ingredients. this is perfect.Thanks!
I love simple recipes with few ingredients.