Thursday, June 24, 2010

Cherry Pie~ It’s About the Pits!

Last year I tried to get a cherry pitter.  Everyone was sold out!  So when I saw this on sale at WSonoma Outlet, I got it to make less work for mother!

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I had visions of mangled cherries, but it worked well!

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The cherries were 1.79 a lb here on sale.

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It pushes the pit out and they collect in the bottom of the pitter.  Nice and neat!

My friend, Carol, at There’s Always Thyme to Cook, sent me a cute little pocket pie maker awhile ago.  I was saving it for when I had fresh cherries.  It is supposed to have a heart in the top, but my heart turned into a circle when it baked.

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Looks like an eye, LOL!

So I made it a flagpole base.  Thank you, Carol! 

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I made a big pie too. I think I will freeze it for the 4th.

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And since I had peaches and was rolling dough…

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A little peach pie for 2…

And a peach crumb to freeze.

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Before crumb topping…

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And after.  I think it will be good with a dollop of vanilla ice cream!

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Crumb recipe

3 sticks of butter or margarine or a mix, softened

1 cup brown sugar

3 t cinnamon

3   heaping C flour

2 1/2 t vanilla

Blend together till pea size crumbs form.

Refrigerate.

Use on pie or cake.

I keep some in the frig for quick apple crisps etc.

Pie Crust (single crust)

1 1/3 heaping cups flour

1 stick butter

Jce of 1/2 lemon and the zest

2 T ice water or a bit more

Whirl together in the food processor.

Form a disk, wrap and refrigerate.

Roll when ready to bake.

Great for open faced tarts too.

Using fresh summer fruits is a Favorite Thing and perfect for a Summer Sunday!

I am linking to Designs by Gollum’s Foodie Friday, Laurie’s Favorite Things, and The Tablescaper’s Summer Sundays.  Thank you for hosting, Ladies!

Have a wonderful weekend!

41 comments:

  1. Cool cherry pitter!

    Your pies are beautiful and look delicious!

    Barb

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  2. I want one of those pitters- mine only does one at a time! I keep wishing I had more freezer space for all the gorgeous fruits and veggies in the markets. Those pies look fabulous!!!
    xoxo Pattie

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  3. I bought the tart maker like you used for my daughter. I see I'm going to have to buy her the pitter if I'm ever going to see any tarts at my door...l.o.l.

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  4. Oh yea, this is perfect! I just told a friend how I make pies for birthdays instead of cake! They look great, and I'm looking forward to trying a crust with butter instead of Crisco-gotta get some peaches!

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  5. Beautiful pies, Kathleen...I'd take a piece of the peach, please.

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  6. Cool gadget, Kathleen! Your pie came out much better than mine. I need practice! Larry would love one of those peach pies, his favorite. Too bad I can't bake :)

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  7. Mmmmm! When I was young we had cherry trees, and we picked cherries and sold them for $1.00 a gallon! You know, it takes a LOT of cherries to make a gallon! Great post, brought back many memories!

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  8. I haven't seen a cherry pitter like that one before. Mine is the kind where the cherries fall into a hole and I hit a lever and the pit falls one way and the cherry goes the other. We got cherries last week for $1.47, so I have been pitting cherries for my preschooler all week. I'd love to put some in a pie, but they are being eaten too quickly!

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  9. I love your patriotic cherry pies - adorable!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  10. That little pocket pie is the cutest thing ever! How covenient is that cherry pitter. Joni

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  11. Kathleen, my Christmas stocking had a set of the pocket pie makers. I've only used them a few times, but thought I'd use them for the 4th. I've never used fresh cherries so will give that a try.
    Great price on the cherries. We are paying $7 a pound. I need to find a cherry pitter. :-)
    Looks delicious ~ Sarah

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  12. I have only pitted cherries with my mouth. Didn't leave much to bake with.
    What could be more American for the fourth than a cherry pie...oh right...except maybe apple.

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  13. You are a cherry pitting pie baking fool! :-) And I mean that in the kindest of ways. I'd love my own personal little pie a la Kathleen with flag pole base and all!

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  14. Kathleen

    Those pies look beter than Holy Moses! :0)

    It is the last day of school--I ahve my life back! Hooray! (you remember the feeling-haha!)

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  15. A pitter that pits 4 cherries at a time! Amazing. My old, one at a time, pitter bit the dust last year. Cherry pie is a favorite and I saw fresh cherries in the farmers market last weekend. You've got my mouth watering over this one, Kathleen.

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  16. Look how productive and artistic you've been. Love the stars on top of the cake and that heart shaped dish is lovely. Who eats all this wonderful food? I'd have to live with Jillian if I had this yummy goodness around me...

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  17. I never knew there was such a thing as a cherry pitter other than commercial... I want one!
    And I just wrote down your crumb recipe. I like the idea, very much, of having it on hand for quick fruit deserts! I'm sure it would freeze just as well too... Thanks so much for the great ideas today!

    ~Rainey~

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  18. Oh, how I would love to be munching on a cherry pie!! My grandmother made the best I can remember and I always got it for my b-day instead of a cake! Loved catching up with your last few posts. I have been in such a tizzy since getting back, I can't seem to get online and read all my favs. What pretty tables you created. I love the purple bowls and I love the green/pink table too. You always have something nice set up on your table. How fun your g-daughter received that bouquet from you. Your flowers are gorgeous. Dang, why do I have to have a brown thumb? And why can't I be rich enough to have a gardener? LOL
    big hugs to you, Kathleen, Sue

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  19. I love pies...especially cherry pies. I'll be right over. Put on the coffee & I'll bring the ice cream.
    Beckie

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  20. Talk about gorgeous pies! My mouth is watering!

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  21. Eye, heart - makes no difference - it looks delicious either way! What a great price you found on cherries and I love the flags for the Fourth :) Prices are still high here!

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  22. Maybe I should take this pitter to the grocery store, depit them, and THEN I could afford the $4.99 a lb. cherries. OR maybe you could just mail me some-nah, maybe not :) They are both making me hungry and I would never have the discipline to freeze one. Yep, that's the soap with Marlena/Doc/evil twin/ serial killer/amnesiac/zombie who could never figure out who she was still legally and emotionally married to :)

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  23. Kathleen, I have got to quit coming to your blog at this hour of the night. You've made me hungry again! I'm going to have to get me one of those cherry pitter thingys. I don't know where I'll keep the darn thing though. My cabinet space is getting more and more limited. How cute your "heart" cake is with the circle for the flag! I used some of those animal shaped pancake molds from W.S. to make pancakes for the grands the other day. They all looked like blobs, but they tasted good. Thanks for linking to Favorite Things Sat. laurie

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  24. All the pies look grat - I bought some cherries last week and they turned out awful - not very sweet at all.
    The pie maker is cute - at least you were able to salvage the design!
    The peach pie with sumble would be my fav..need to copy your crumble mixture!

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  25. Everything looks yummilicious, Kathleen! Thanks for posting about the peaches. Reminds me it's time to take a little cruise to IL, for peach pickin'.

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  26. A pitter!! Now that is a great invention! You come up with the neatest things...and I am thrilled to have these recipes! Your pies look so delicious..I wish I had a slice to go with my coffee this morning!!:)

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  27. That little cherry pie in the shape of a heart on a beautiful heart plate (CTS purchase!) has got to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen! Just adorable.

    You are one busy baker - big pies, little pies, and crisps too! I'll be right over. Pop one in the oven so it's ready when I get there!

    - The Tablescaper

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  28. When you think you've lived long enough to see Everything...along comes a 'Cherry Pitter'... Wow!
    That is just one 'must have' super gadget! If you hadn't used it and said it didn't mangle the cherries...I would have thought that's probably what would happen.
    Thanks for showing off this neat find and thanks for all the extra Calories from just LOOKING at all your wonderful baked pies..
    Ahhh but isn't that what summer
    is?? I'll have an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream on my apple pie please!!

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  29. I will take a little of each one please! :-D

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  30. The pies look so good and fattening, Kathleen. But who cares? I just got back from a cruise and I am afraid to weigh myself, lol...Christine

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  31. That pitter is so cool, I've never seen one like this before. Your pies look really yummy!

    Donna

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  32. Thanks so much for being a part of "SUMMER SUNDAYS".

    The weather out here is awful. Makes you want to turn around and go back home.

    - The Tablescaper

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  33. Wow, you have a lot of delicious treats ahead of you. I should come and help sample! Everything looked yummy. I love the heart shaped pie on the heart shaped plate. Have a wonderful Sunday.

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  34. That looks like a handy dandy cherry pitter, Kathleen! Your pies look so good. I have been enjoying the fruits of the season "as is" this year as I'm on a diet :-(
    ♥ Pat

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  35. Beautiful pies Kathleen! I'll take my piece to the beach :-)

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  36. Yummalicious post, Queen of Gadgets! LOL
    I just sent it on to my sister, who has ordered us BUCKETS of cherries from her local fruit farm. I told her we NEED these! I may need to call you to borrow yours!!

    Are you doing a 4th of July party?
    I just posted my tables. Come see!!

    Have a Happy 4th of July!
    The Gazebo House

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  37. Cherry pitters are the best....you got a great deal on the cherries...down here they are $3.99 a pound....but we are getting some really good peaches out of SC...Yes, I know we're the peach state but SC has much better peaches....Have a great 4th. of July....

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  38. Sweet lady, thought I'd better check on you...been awhile since you posted. Just restin'? Hope so.

    I am getting all geared up for a big 4th..been cooking all day today..it's rainy and I am loving it.
    Had what i thought was a pie crust in a plastic bag in the fridge. Patted it into a pie plate for a Strawberry Pie for tomorrow and when i took it out of the over, it was all puffed up..I thought, what the heck...turns out it was sugar cookie dough. Well, it;s getting strawberries and whipped cream on it tomorrow anyway!! Sometimes, I just amaze my silly self.
    Have a safe and fun 4th with your family.
    xo bj

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  39. YOOO HOOOO! Kathleen, are you okay? I hope you are on vacation some place wonderful! Miss you. laurie

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  40. Just stopped by to wish you a Happy 4th, Kathleen!..Christine

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  41. Kathleen, what a unique and interesting cherry pitter. AND your pies look great.

    Hope you and your family have a wonderful and healthy Fourth of July.

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