America’s Test Kitchen Cherry Pie (Atk)

🥧🍒 America’s Test Kitchen Cherry Pie 🍒🥧

America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) Cherry Pie is a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of cherries with a flaky, buttery pie crust. ATK is known for its meticulous testing and development of recipes to ensure the best possible results, and their Cherry Pie is no exception.

📜 History:
The history of cherry pie in America can be traced back to the early European settlers, who brought their love for pies to the New World. Cherries were a popular fruit for pies due to their natural sweetness. Over time, cherry pie became an iconic American dessert, often associated with summertime and patriotic celebrations.

🥧 Components:
To make an ATK Cherry Pie, you’ll need the following components:

1. Pie Crust: You can use store-bought pie crust or make your own with flour, butter, salt, and ice water. ATK may have its own preferred pie crust recipe for this purpose.

2. Cherries: Fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and ideally a mix of sweet and tart varieties for a balanced flavor.

3. Sweeteners: Sugar, and possibly some cornstarch to thicken the filling.

4. Flavorings: Lemon juice and zest, almond extract, and a pinch of salt to enhance the cherry flavor.

5. Egg Wash: For brushing the pie crust to give it a beautiful golden finish.

👩‍🍳 Preparation Steps:
Here’s a simplified version of the steps to prepare an ATK Cherry Pie:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:

   • If making your own crust, mix the flour and salt, cut in the cold butter, and add ice water until the dough comes together.
   • Divide the dough in half, shape it into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

2. Make the Filling:

   • Combine pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, almond extract, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl.
   • Let the filling sit for a while to allow the flavors to meld.

3. Roll Out the Crust:

   • Roll out one disc of pie dough into a circle to fit your pie dish.
   • Place it in the dish and trim the excess.

4. Fill the Pie:

   • Pour the cherry filling into the prepared pie crust.

5. Add the Top Crust:

   • Roll out the second disc of pie dough and place it over the cherries.
   • Trim and crimp the edges to seal the pie.

6. Bake:

   • Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature, usually around 375°F (190°C).
   • Brush the top crust with an egg wash for a shiny finish.
   • Make slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.

7. Bake Until Golden:

   • Bake the pie until the crust is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling, typically for around 45-60 minutes.

8. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow the pie to cool before serving to let the filling set.

⏰ Time Needed:
The time required to prepare an ATK Cherry Pie can vary depending on your experience in baking, but you should set aside approximately 2-2.5 hours from start to finish, including prep time, baking, and cooling.

Enjoy your homemade America’s Test Kitchen Cherry Pie! 🥧🍒😊

Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical slice of cherry pie:

🥧 Nutrition Facts (Approximate per slice, based on standard recipe):

• Calories: 320-400 calories
• Total Fat: 14-20 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 7-10 grams
• Cholesterol: 15-30 milligrams
• Sodium: 150-250 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 45-55 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2-4 grams
  • Sugars: 20-25 grams
• Protein: 2-4 grams

Health Information:

1. Caloric Content: Cherry pie can be relatively high in calories due to the buttery crust and sugar in the filling. Be mindful of portion sizes to manage calorie intake.

2. Fats: The pie crust contains fats, primarily from butter, which can contribute to saturated and total fat intake. Consider using healthier fats or reducing the amount of fat in the crust if you’re concerned about saturated fats.

3. Cholesterol: The cholesterol content in a slice of cherry pie is moderate, primarily from the butter in the crust.

4. Sodium: The sodium content is relatively low, but it can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used.

5. Carbohydrates: Cherry pie is a carbohydrate-rich dessert, with sugars contributing to the total carbohydrate content. The filling may contain added sugars, so consider using natural sweeteners or reducing sugar if you’re concerned about sugar intake.

6. Fiber: The fiber content is relatively low, so consider adding more fiber-rich ingredients like oats or whole grains to the crust or opting for whole wheat crust.

7. Protein: Cherry pie provides minimal protein.

8. Vitamins and Minerals: Cherries themselves are a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C, and some minerals like potassium. However, the nutritional benefits may be offset by the sugar and butter in the pie.

Remember that these values can vary based on the specific recipe and ingredients used. If you’re looking for a healthier option, consider experimenting with ingredient substitutions, like whole wheat crust or reducing sugar, to make your cherry pie a bit more nutritious while still delicious.