Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 8 tbsp ice water
  • 5 cups fresh pitted cherries
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, diced

Instructions:

  1. Whisk flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
  2. Add chilled butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or fingers to work butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized chunks remaining.
  3. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, stirring gently until the dough just holds together; do not overwork.
  4. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  5. In a large bowl, combine pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and almond extract.
  6. Let the filling mixture sit for 10–15 minutes to allow a thick, glossy coating to form.