Cherry Pie

Preparation

1. To make crust: Blend egg and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a glass measuring cup with a fork.
2. Combine cottage cheese, oil, 2 tablespoons sugar, vanilla and salt in a food processor; process until smooth and creamy, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the workbowl. Add flour and butter; pulse about 6 times, just until butter is in pea-size pieces. Add egg mixture and pulse just until dough begins to clump together. (Do not let it form a ball.) Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 2 pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Form each piece into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days.
3. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Roll the larger piece of dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Roll dough over rolling pin, then unroll into prepared pan. Gently press dough into bottom and sides of pan. With scissors, trim excess pastry, leaving a 3/4-inch overhang. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
4. Roll the smaller piece of dough on a lightly floured surface into an 11-inch circle. Roll dough over rolling pin, then unroll onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Using a pastry wheel, preferably serrated, or a sharp knife, cut dough into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Carefully transfer paper to a baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
5. To make filling & bake pie: Position oven rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 425°F.
6. Toss cherries with 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and almond extract in a large bowl. Spoon into crust.
7. Weave pastry strips about 1/2 inch apart to form a lattice over the filling. Trim strips at edge of pie pan. Turn overhanging pastry up over rim; press to seal and decoratively flute edges. Brush milk over lattice top and sprinkle with remaining 2 teaspoons sugar.
8. Set pie on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Cover edges of crust with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning. Reduce oven temperature to 375° and bake until crust is golden and juices are bubbling, 40 to 50 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: The crust can be prepared through Step 2 up to 2 days in advance.

Nutrition