Traditional Cherry Pie

Ingredients

• 2 (16-ounce) cans pitted tart red cherries
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 10 drops of red food coloring, optional
• 3 drops almond extract
• 2 (9-inch) unbaked pie shells

Directions

• 1
  Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• 2
  Drain cherries, reserving 1 cup liquid. Combine reserved liquid, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan.
• 3
  Cook, stirring continually, until thickened and bubbly, about 7 minutes. Cook, stirring continually, for 1 minute longer.
• 4
  Remove from heat. Stir in remaining granulated sugar, butter, cherries, food coloring and almond extract.
• 5
  Spoon the cherry mixture into 1 pie shell. Cut remaining pie shell into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Twist strips and arrange strips, lattice fashion, over pie. Flute edges. Bake for 25 minutes.