May 20, 2016

Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with vintage Cherry Top-Notch Pie


Today is the lead into a long weekend here in Canada, as we gear up to celebrate Victoria Day on Monday, which many in this country see as the unofficial start of summer.

Goodness knows I'm ready for such and am so excited to welcome the warmest chapter of the year back into my life again. It's a great time, not only for its own wealth of merits, but because of all of the fun, exciting events and every day pleasures alike that it houses.

From mine and Tony's birthdays to Canada Day, picnics to star gazing session atop the lofty hills that flank our town, summer will keep me on my toes and in high spirits from start to finish.

With summer champing at the bit, my mind has already turned the lush abundance of fresh produce and other seasonal fare that will call the season home. I've talked before here about how integral cherries are to the local economy, as well as the reputation, of the Okanagan Valley where we live, in addition to the plethora of memories this instantly evoke for me.

Cherries, much like peaches, are summer in fruit form around these parts and nary a roadside stand, grocery store, or farmer's market is devoid of them between (roughly) late June and the end of August (with July often being peak cherry season).

I love the fact that cherries, one of the reddest hued fruits of all, are usually out when Canada Day rolls around on July 1st. Given that our national colours are red and white, foods of the crimson variety are always a welcome treat on any festive table - just as they are for this coming holiday weekend.

It's scarcely a secret, too, that cherries are evocative of the mid-twentieth century and their use - both in decor and fashion - is legendary from the time period.

Naturally, being such a beloved fruit, they often appeared in dishes of the day, too from trendy concoctions to timeless classics. In the later camp, one finds that perpetual warm weather favourite,  cherry pie, and the 1950s recipe below looks like a real winner when it come to this marvelous dessert.






{Beautiful look and sink your teeth into alike, cherry pie is a warm weather standby that is both delicious and nostalgic at the same time. It's vibrant interior colour also makes it a fabulous choice for Canada Day and the 4th of July alike. Vintage recipe ad image source.}


Whether you opt for fresh, frozen, or canned fruit when baking, cherry pie is hard to beat and if you've never tried making one from scratch, I can't recommend doing highly enough.

For a fun twist on things, try making a chocolate or cinnamon crust instead of the standard plain variety. With a generous dollop of whipped cream, a chocolate crust filled with juicy, sweet-tart cherries and their silky juices instantly becomes redolent of another long standing favourite the world over: Black Forest Cake.

You can also add in some other spring/summertime fruit, if you have any to hand, such as - but certainly not limited to - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and even (trust me on this one, it's surprisingly good!) grapes.

As I always like to say with vintage dishes that call for it, if shortening isn't your cup of yesteryear tea, by all means ditch it and use butter, margarine, or your favourite vegan cooking fat substitute instead.

A good cherry pie is a thing of culinary beauty and needs little, if anything, to enhance it. However, during the dog days that lay ahead, it never hurts to dish thick slices of this timeless dessert up with some vanilla, chocolate, berry, caramel, peach, lemon, orange, or even mocha ice cream for a treat that will never go out of style or fail to win rave reviews - much like summertime itself!

54 comments:

  1. Mmm!! I love cherry pie. I have no baking skill so I buy mine at a farm-stand out on the end of the Island which is world-famous for their pies.

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    1. Yum! Their pies sound great, Ally. It's wonderful that you have a local producer of such epicly delicious desserts right in your own area.

      Have a terrific week!
      ♥ Jessica

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    1. Doesn't it though? Sometimes you just can't beat a fabulous classic dessert like this.

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I agree. We Canadians have to embrace summertime while it is here! I'd love to embrace a piece of this cherry pie, too!

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    1. Don't we though? I adore the warmer months and really try to make the most out of each glorious day of them.

      I hope that you're doing well and enjoying a wonderful long weekend, Brenda.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Im partial to cherry pie myself. I love it with the fresh tart fruit but every variety is good

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    1. Agreed! I've rarely met a pie or tart variety that didn't make me go weak in the knees and hungry in the tummy at the same time! :D

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Cherry Pie is defiantly a summer staple. Next weekend is Memorial Day here in the States, which is our official summer welcome weekend and I'm too so looking forward to it. This past week has been so rainy and cold, I'm looking forward to more summer like weather. Hope you enjoy Victoria Day and the rest of your summer.

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    1. I've long thought it was (is) so cool that each of our countries have holidays in late May that mark the unofficial start of summertime. One would not have felt very summer-y here this weekend though, as we've had three days of near solid rain now. Oh well, I'm sure the plants and grasses can use all the extra moisture they can get before summer really does swing into high gear.

      Big hugs & joyful Memorial Day week wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Happy Victoria Day!
    I hope you'll get and enjoy some well deserved rest and time to dedicate it to your self :-)
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    P.S. rain expected for Sunday and Monday here. I've got a cold (again) and lost my voice :-(
    Eva (from Luxembourg/Germany)

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    1. Oh no, I'm very sorry to hear that you're battling another cold, my lovely friend. I hope that you're able to rest and take things seriously easy this week.

      Interestingly, our weekend - while very fun - has been filled with rain, rain and more rain. Not the usual glisteningly sunny weather that usually accompanies Victoria Day around these parts. Soon though, it will vanish and we'll probably be treated to some 40C or higher temps come July (the warmest I saw it get to last year was 44C and I loved it to bits - I'm like a lizard when it comes to the heat, though do need to stay out of the direct sun, as I burn faster than a piece of toast).

      Gentle hugs & tons of healing wishes coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Hi Jessica, I am enjoying the milder temperatures here in Montreal, as we had a few really cold days. Your post is so refreshing and uplifting, and the cherry pie looks delicious! I hope your long Victoria Day weekend is enjoyable and relaxing.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Linda. Our weekend was a blast, though we enjoyed it with near constant rain the whole time (especially on Sunday). That put a damper on some photo shoot plans, but didn't deter from the fun of the whole thing very much, I'm glad to say. I hope that yours was a bit more pleasant, weather wise, and that these final days of May will treat us both to some sunshine.

      Many hugs & happy Victoria Day wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. It is definitely celebration season at your house. Cherries are my absolute favorite fruit made all that much sweeter because they are only available for a short time. Yum!!!!!

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    1. Cherries really are so evocative of sunny months, both of which have rather short lived seasons in most parts of the world. I hope that you get to enjoy oodles of your favourite fruit this season, dear Connie.

      Big hugs & happy (almost) summertime wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. This looks like a truly delicious pie, Jessica. I'm so looking forward to summer too. My summer dresses are calling me. Enjoy every moment of your long weekend! A big, summery hug, Ann xxx

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    1. Sundresses are the best! We had a very, very wet long weekend here, so raincoats were more the order of the day, but it was a still a fun, busy three days - that like pretty much all long weekends - whizzed past at the speed of light.

      Oodles of hugs coming right back at you, dear Ann,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Oh, dear. I am now hungry for some cherry pie and ice cream. I just might have to make one this summer.....

    Sarah
    www.sewcharacteristicallyyou.com/blog

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    1. Yum! Have you tried cherry pie with chocolate (especially a really dark, rich chocolate) ice cream? The two are taste bud delight, IMO, and highly recommended if you like chocolate and cherries together.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. i want cherry pie - now!!!!
    today i was hiking with a friend - and sitting in the sun at noon and eating our sandwiches it felt really like summer!!! yahoooo!!
    big hugs!!! xxxxx

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    1. That sounds absolutely beautiful, dear Beate. Our long weekend turned out to be uncharacteristically rainy, with few breaks from the falling drops for three days. Often this weekend is pushing 30C, so it was quite the change of pace. We still had a great one though, got a lot done, a grabbed a few moments of R&R here and there, too boot, so I'm not complaining at all - just eager for summer's return. :)

      Tons of hugs coming right back at you,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Mmmm, cherry pie is my all time favourite pie. I love it served with clotted cream, wow! Your stargazing idea sounds totally blissful, I may have to pinch it. If I do I will think of you over in gorgeous Canada and send my very best wishes to you across the stars xx

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    1. It's definitely one of mine as well (pumpkin gets absolute top billing though for me personally) and such an incredibly nostalgic taste for me, as I grew up with my mom's staggeringly delicious versions, often made with cherries that we (her children) had picked by the plastic shopping bag full ourselves, their glossy burgundy skins still ripe with the heat of the dry Okanagan summer. My mouth waters at the mere thought.

      Many hugs & joyful (almost) summertime wishes, dear Emily,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. If I were at all handy in the kitchen, I might give this pie a go! Looks delish!

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    1. It's hard to beat a classic cherry pie, that's for sure. I hope you're able to tuck into a great one, be it homemade or store/farmer's market bought, this summer.

      Many hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. MUST make this gluten-free!! *lol* There's a "new" flour at The Bulk Barn called "1 to 1", and it's SO close to the real thing, it's amazing! Texture, even taste, is very close to "regular" flour, you'd be impressed. If I do try this, would you like to know how it turns out?

    I've been a bad fan, I've been away for a long time - but my new job (executive assistant...snooty or what?? *lol*) is keeping me enormously busy...even putting in the occasional 11 - 12 hour day! - but happy as the proverbial clam no matter what!! :)
    Take care, be well, and keep on spoiling that amazing hubby of yours...as long as he keeps spoiling you, that is... ;) *LOL*

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    1. That sounds thoroughly intriguing! Thank you for telling me about this new flour blend from Bulk Barn. Is it sold in a sealed (from the factory) package? I get so horrifically ill from gluten (for several weeks on end after I've been "glutened") that I can't risk buying GF products in bulk, least they were cross contaminated, but if it's a packaged item that's another 'nother, usually safer, kettle of fish. :)

      Giant congrats on your new job! I'm sincerely elated for you and hope that it continues to be a joyful position for you.

      Will do! We spoil, love, and cherish each other to no end. :)

      Big hugs & happy (almost!) summertime wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. This made me excited for summer! Which is good, because I've been sort of dreading the Texas heat, which I haven't experienced in full form yet. I think I'm just going to have to kick around in cotton sundresses, eat a lot of fresh fruit, put on my sunglasses, and embrace it :)

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    1. That sounds like a perfectly lovely summertime plan to me. Tony was briefly in Texas last month for work and was struck by the humidity there - and that was in April - so I can just imagine how sweltering it must become when summer proper rolls around. Hopefully this year's will be on the more arid side of things and you guys will be able to really enjoy the perks of the season, even when the mercury is bubbling away.

      Sending lots of hugs & happy tail end of May wishes your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. I am eager to know about the Victoria Day, I am sure you will share what you did! On Monday, so soon! I love cherries and peaches and yes, they are so summery! I am finally out of bed, but taking it easy, since swine flu is such an aggressive thing... but finally feeling well! Hope you have a great weekend, dear Jessica!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Hi sweet Denise, thank you very much for keeping me abreast of how your recovery is coming along. Again, I'm deeply sorry that you were struck down by this awful illness and hope dearly that you'll be able to make a full recovery with zero lingering effects.

      This weekend turned out to be surprisingly rainy from start to finish, but was still a lot of fun and a lovely way to gear up for summer's impending arrival all the same.

      Many hugs & continued healing wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. A chocolate crust sounds delicious for a cherry pie!

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    1. It is, it really, really is. Add a bit of whipped cream to finished pie and it takes on a wonderfully delightful Black Forest Cake quality (yum - okay, I'm officially hungry now! :D).

      Have a fantastic week, dear gal!
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. This looks so yummy! I love baking pies, but I haven't tried baking a cherry pie just yet. Perhaps that will be the next one I do!

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    1. You can't go wrong with an iconically classic dish like cherry pie. I hope it turns out awesomely for you, if you give this (or any other recipe for such) a go, sweet dear.

      Big hugs & happy summertime baking,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Ahhhh - cherry pie was one of the first pies I learned to make. Sadly, I haven't baked one in years...I need to get back at it!

    Laura
    www.blackcoffeebeautiful.com

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    1. It's amazing, isn't it, how many years can pass sometimes between when we make super classic dishes? The years themselves seem to go by faster and faster with each new calendar, and that doesn't help there one iota. I hope you find time to bake a cherry pie this summer and that it's one of the best you've ever eaten.

      Have an excellent week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I do not have much time for baking these days, however this pie looks great. Thank you for a lovely post that will certainly get me thinking more about cherries! Best wishes , Elizabeth xx

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    1. You're very welcome, dear Elizabeth. Baking a pie from scratch cane take a decent amount of time, for sure. Perhaps you could make something else that's a bit quicker, say pancakes or waffles topped with cherries, instead and still enjoy much of the same flavour hit. Cherries in milk shakes and smoothies are always a huge treat - and one the suits summer so well - as well.

      Many hugs & happy summertime wishes coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Ooh my, cherry pie! Yum. I couldn't touch a savoury pie ever again after my allergic reaction to penicillin (I'll leave that episode to the imagination!) but hope to be able to bake fruit pies again soon xxx

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    1. I'm very sorry that you had such a horrific experience regarding penicillin, sweet Melanie, and do very much hope that dessert pies are able to enter your culinary lineup once more.

      Big hugs & tons of understanding,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Mouthwatering!
    Gosh, Jess - and just in the time when all the cherries (in the neighborhood) come to ripen-up. Alas, my own cherries, two trees, failed me. One is small and so old it deteriorated. The other one came to the saddest end: a recent storm has broken it, now it lies on the ground (waiting to dry out, so we can use the last of it as a furnace-feeding wood).
    But, I'm not sad about it - since I have GREAT neighbors, and they let me have their cherries... free of charge (later in the year, I return the favor, by giving our figs).
    Pie looks amazing.
    And, the leaf-pattern. Such a genius addition!
    M.

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    1. Isn't it though? I just love a beautifully decorated pie crust like that. Using tiny cookie cutters, for example, to stamp out pumpkin shapes has long been one of my favourite ways to jazz up pumpkin pies come autumn.

      I'm sorry to hear that your own cherries aren't doing so great. Perhaps the older one, that's still standing, will surprise you with a cherry crop or two more (fingers crossed). It's great though that you and your neighbour are able to swap cherries for figs. We need more simple gifts like that to one another in today's world.

      Many hugs & thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. I have never made a pie with fresh cherries, though it is possible to get tins of readymade pie filling over here. They don't taste like fresh cherries at all, but I like them...

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    1. You know, I really like the taste of cherry (and blueberry) pie filling, too. It's definitely not the same thing as the real deal, but it certainly isn't unappealing either and I see tons of merit in both. Sometimes, on a hot day, when making a whole pie is just not in the cards, some chilled tinned pie filling over vanilla or chocolate ice cream, perhaps with a crisp cookie/biscuit or two, is just as enjoyable as a slice of pie itself - and worlds faster (if we're talking about homemade pie) to boot.

      Wishing you a splendid last leg of spring, dear Mim!

      ♥ Jessica

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  24. Mouthwatering! I have never tried to make a cherry pie but I definitely will plan on doing that this summer! I made an apple pie for the first time, and then again a second time not too long ago. I was surprised at how relatively easy and delicious it was! Also, how's this for coincidence... the strawberries I just picked up from the store have a label that says Okanagan Valley on it! Not sure if they are actually from Okanagan Valley or if they are just using the name for the labeling but hey! Small world! :) Hope you had a fantastic Victoria day!

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    1. That's really cool about the strawberries that you purchased. I'd imagine that the really do hail from these parts, though we're less known for our berries than our stone and core fruits (pears and apples). I've noticed more and more local berry growers in recent years though, so totally possible. :)

      Thank you! We had a delightful, if rather rainy, long weekend and like just about all such three day breaks, this one went past way, way too quickly.

      I hope that you're doing well and gearing up for a fantastic Memorial Day long weekend, sweet dear.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. I'm not exactly a rock star baker, but I would love to make a good cherry crumble. Cherries are one of my favorite fruits, you've given me a craving for them.

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    1. So many yums when it comes to cherry crumble. That makes for such a fabulous breakfast treat, eaten nice outdoors and early on a sizzling hot summer's morn before the full intensity of the day's heat has really kicked in. I'm totally craving cherry everything now, too, and am so looking forward to when the first local crops hit the shelves here in a few weeks time.

      Many hugs & wishes for a sweet-as-a-cherry summer,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. I have to remember to go through your vintage recipe collection and pin most of them to my Pinterest board, because you always find the best. And I always love your suggestions on how to change them a bit, here the cinnamon version of the dough. My mouth watered and fortunately we had a tiny leftover of tiramisu ice cream in the freezer, ha! :) But about cherries in vintage fashion, is it true? I've always considered the cherry mania in fifties repro dresses a modern fenomenon. I've never seen real vintage dresses with cherries, but then why not? So many different and charming novelty prints were in fashion back then. Now I will go back in my garden swing and knit on a new cardigan (dark red wool, it will be perfect for winter). XOXO :)

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    1. That's such a sweet compliment, dear Sanne, thank you very much! I've really noticed a sharp decline in the last couple of years of the number of folks who are still actively scanning and sharing vintage recipes online, so it's getting a bit harder for me to find ones that I haven't posted before, that are interesting, and that aren't too similar (unless such is done on purpose) from others that I've shared here over the years. Thankfully the well has dried up entirely, as so adore tracking down these mid-century dishes to share here.

      That's great question, thank you for asking it. Cherries did exist in both fashion and jewelry back then for sure, and I've seen numerous examples of both of the years (and have some mid-century cherry brooches in my person collection), but I'd argue that it was in home decor - specially kitchen decor - that cherries had their biggest heyday during the 40s through to the very early 60s. From wallpaper borders to canister sets to dishware, cherries were a relatively common theme for such and it's surprising, really, given as much that we don't see more repro houseware brands venturing down the cherry path these days (perhaps as time goes on we will).

      Oodles of hugs & happy end of May + start of June wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. I have never made a cherry pie but now that you have shared the idea of one with a chocolate crust and ice cream, I think it may be time to remedy that!

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    1. It's soooooo good that way - if you introduce some whipped cream (or creme fraiche) into the picture, it takes on a serious Black Forest Cake note that is nothing short of sensational! :)

      Many hugs & joyful start of June wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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