By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 13, 2024 | Last Updated on January 13, 2024
Cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping is the perfect dessert for any occasion. This delicious combination of sweet and tart cherries, crunchy graham cracker crust, and buttery streusel topping is sure to please any crowd.
Not only is it delicious, but it is also easy to make and can be made ahead of time for convenience. Whether you are serving it at a special event or just as an after-dinner treat, this cherry pie is sure to be a hit!
What is Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping?
A graham cracker is a sweet and flavored cracker made with graham flour. People in the United States started making it in the mid-19th century, and it became more common around 1880. You can eat it as a tasty snack, often with honey or cinnamon flavor. It’s also used in making things like the crust for cheesecakes and pies.
The idea for graham crackers came from a man named Sylvester Graham. He was part of a group in the 1800s that didn’t want people to drink alcohol, and he came up with the world’s first graham wafer. It was a plain, unsifted flour biscuit that Graham himself baked.
The Cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping is a classic dessert that combines sweet and tart cherries, crunchy graham cracker crust, and buttery streusel topping.
The graham cracker crust is made with graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. The streusel topping is made from a combination of brown sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon.
The cherry filling is made from tart and sweet cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. When combined, the result is a delicious and flavorful dessert that will leave your guests wanting more.
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What Does it Taste Like?
Cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cherries provide a tartness that is balanced out by the sweetness of the graham cracker crust and streusel topping.
The graham cracker crust provides a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the soft, juicy cherries. The streusel topping adds a buttery sweetness that ties the flavors together. Together, these flavors create a delicious dessert that will please any crowd.
The Ingredients
Pie Crust: Flaky, Golden-Brown Pillsbury™ Deep Dish Pie Crusts – The pie crust serves as the base and vessel for the cherry pie. It provides the structure, holds the luscious filling, and adds a delightful, flaky texture that complements the fruity flavors.
Butter: High-Quality Butter – Butter is essential for creating the crumbly texture of the streusel topping. When cold and finely diced, it combines with the flour and sugar to form small, buttery crumbs that crisp up during baking, adding a delectable finish to the pie.
Pie Filling: Luscious Cherry Pie Filling – This ingredient provides the main body of the pie, offering a burst of ripe, succulent cherries that define the pie’s flavor and texture. It contributes to the rich, fruity filling that forms the heart of the dessert.
Cornstarch: Premium Cornstarch – Cornstarch serves the purpose of thickening and enhancing the texture of the cherry pie filling. It helps bind the juices released by the cherries, preventing a runny filling and ensuring a cohesive, sliceable pie.
Streusel Topping: Finely Milled All-Purpose Flour – Flour is a crucial component of the streusel topping, contributing to its delicate and light texture. It helps form the crumbly mixture that sits atop the pie, adding a layer of contrasting texture and taste.
Brown Sugar: Richly Aromatic Packed Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness and depth to the streusel topping. Its caramelized notes enhance the overall flavor profile, providing a rich, slightly molasses-like sweetness.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your oven reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pie.
Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling
In a mixing bowl, take the canned cherry pie filling and add 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch. Thoroughly mix the ingredients until the cornstarch is evenly distributed within the filling. This cornstarch will help thicken the filling as it bakes, giving it a better texture.
Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup of finely milled all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar. Cut in 2 tablespoons of cold, diced butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set this streusel mixture aside for later use.
Step 4: Prepare the Pie Crust
If you’re using a store-bought graham cracker crust, you can skip this step. Otherwise, if making your own crust, carefully line a pie dish with the graham cracker crust, ensuring it covers both the bottom and sides of the dish. Press the crust firmly to form the base for the pie.
Step 5: Assemble the Pie
Pour the prepared cherry pie filling into the graham cracker crust. Spread the filling evenly across the crust to ensure consistent flavor throughout the pie.
Step 6: Apply the Streusel Topping
Take the prepared streusel mixture and sprinkle it evenly over the cherry pie filling, covering the entire surface. This will add a delicious crumbly topping to your pie.
Step 7: Cover the Edges
Optionally, cover the edges of the pie crust with foil or a pie crust shield. This precaution prevents the edges from browning too quickly or excessively during baking.
Step 8: Bake the Pie
Place the assembled pie on a baking sheet and put it into the preheated oven. Allow it to bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until the streusel topping turns golden brown, and the cherry filling begins to bubble.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Once baked, carefully remove the pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for at least 1 hour. Allowing the pie to cool adequately helps the filling to set properly.
Step 10: Serve the Pie
Once the pie has sufficiently cooled, you can slice it into portions and serve. Consider pairing it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.
Tips
For Making Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping
• To make the graham cracker crust, use a food processor to quickly and easily make the graham cracker crumbs.
• For a crispier graham cracker crust, bake the crust for an additional 5 minutes.
• To make the streusel topping, use cold butter so that it does not melt while mixing.
• For a sweeter streusel topping, increase the amount of brown sugar.
• To make the cherry filling, use a combination of tart and sweet cherries for the best flavor.
• For a thicker cherry filling, increase the amount of cornstarch.
• To ensure the crust is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly, bake for the full 40 minutes.
• To prevent the crust from burning, loosely cover the pie with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Nutrition Information
One slice of cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping contains approximately 280 calories, 12g of fat, 36g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein.
What to Serve with Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping
• Whipped cream
• Ice cream
• Vanilla custard
• Caramel sauce
• Fresh fruit
• Whipped topping
• Chocolate sauce
• Sweetened cream cheese
• Whipped yogurt
How to Store Leftover Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping?
Leftover cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
What Other Substitutes Can I Use in Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping?
• Pecans or walnuts instead of graham cracker crumbs
• Rolled oats instead of flour
• Brown sugar or honey instead of white sugar
• Lemon juice instead of cornstarch
• Almond extract or vanilla extract instead of cinnamon
• Pears, apples, or blueberries instead of cherries
Cherry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust and Streusel Topping
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Pie dish
- Fork or Pastry Cutter
- baking sheet
- Foil or Pie Crust Shield
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Pie:
- 1/2 tablespoon premium cornstarch for thickening and enhancing the filling’s texture
- 1 can luscious cherry pie filling bursting with ripe succulent cherries
- 1/2 crust from one package 12 oz of flaky, golden-brown Pillsbury™ Deep Dish Pie Crusts (1 Count)
Streusel:
- 2 tablespoons richly aromatic packed brown sugar adding a caramelized sweetness
- 1/4 cup finely milled all-purpose flour for a delicate and light streusel topping
- 2 tablespoons high-quality butter cold and finely diced for a perfect crumbly texture
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat.
Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry pie filling with 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix well to ensure the cornstarch is evenly distributed and will thicken the filling during baking.
Prepare the Streusel Topping:
- In another bowl, combine the finely milled all-purpose flour and packed brown sugar. Cut in the cold, diced butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set the streusel aside.
Prepare the Pie Crust:
- If using a store-bought graham cracker crust, skip this step. If making your own crust, carefully line a pie dish with the graham cracker crust, pressing it firmly into the bottom and sides.
Assemble the Pie:
- Pour the prepared cherry pie filling into the graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly.
Apply the Streusel Topping:
- Sprinkle the prepared streusel evenly over the cherry pie filling, covering it entirely.
Cover the Edges:
- If desired, cover the edges of the pie crust with foil or a pie crust shield to prevent excessive browning while baking.
Bake:
- Place the assembled pie on a baking sheet and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown, and the cherry filling is bubbling.
Cool and Serve:
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This will help the filling set properly.
Serve:
- Once cooled, slice the cherry pie into portions and serve. You can serve it as is or pair it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Notes
- To make the graham cracker crust, use a food processor to quickly and easily make the graham cracker crumbs.
- For a crispier graham cracker crust, bake the crust for an additional 5 minutes.
- To make the streusel topping, use cold butter so that it does not melt while mixing.
- • For a sweeter streusel topping, increase the amount of brown sugar.
- To make the cherry filling, use a combination of tart and sweet cherries for the best flavor.
- For a thicker cherry filling, increase the amount of cornstarch.
- To ensure the crust is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly, bake for the full 40 minutes.
- To prevent the crust from burning, loosely cover the pie with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best way to store cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping?
A1. The best way to store cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping is to place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Q2. What can I use instead of graham cracker crumbs?
A2. Pecans or walnuts can be used instead of graham cracker crumbs.
Q3. Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
A3. Yes, pears, apples, or blueberries can be used instead of cherries.
Q4. How do I know when the cherry pie is done?
A4. The cherry pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
Q5. Can I freeze cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping?
A5. Yes, cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping can be frozen. To freeze, place the cooled pie in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
Q6. Can I use a store-bought graham cracker crust?
A6. Yes, a store-bought graham cracker crust can be used in place of a homemade graham cracker crust.
Q7. What can I use instead of streusel topping?
A7. You can use a combination of oats, butter, and sugar in place of streusel topping.
Conclusion
Cherry pie with graham cracker crust and streusel topping is the perfect dessert for any occasion. This delicious combination of sweet and tart cherries, crunchy graham cracker crust, and buttery streusel topping is sure to please any crowd.
Not only is it delicious, but it is also easy to make and can be made ahead of time for convenience. Whether you are serving it at a special event or just as an after-dinner treat, this cherry pie is sure to be a hit!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
