5cups whole, pitted sour cherries or dark sweet cherries (about 2 pounds whole unpitted cherries)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice (if using sour cherries) or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (if using dark sweet cherries)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter, cut into 1/2” cubes
1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Crust
Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl to blend.
Add butter and rub in with fingertips until small pea-size clumps form.
Add 5 tablespoons ice water; mix lightly with fork until dough holds together when small pieces are pressed between fingertips, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry.
Gather dough together; divide into 2 pieces.
Form each piece into ball, then flatten into disk and wrap in plastic.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Do ahead Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let dough soften slightly before rolling out.
Filling
Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 425°F.
Whisk 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl to blend.
Stir in cherries, lemon juice, and vanilla; set aside.
Assemble + Bake
Roll out 1 dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch glass pie dish. Trim dough overhang to 1/2 inch.
Roll out second dough disk on floured surface to 12-inch round. Using large knife or pastry wheel with fluted edge, cut ten 3/4-inch-wide strips from dough round.
Transfer filling to dough-lined dish, mounding slightly in center. Dot with butter.
Arrange dough strips atop filling, forming lattice; trim dough strip overhang to 1/2 inch. Fold bottom crust up over ends of strips and crimp edges to seal. Brush lattice crust (not edges) with milk. Sprinkle lattice with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
Place pie on rimmed baking sheet and bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
Bake pie until filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown, covering edges with foil collar if browning too quickly, about 1 hour longer.
Transfer pie to rack and cool completely. Cut into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream.