Cherry pie is a pie baked with a cherry filling. Traditionally, cherry pie is made with tart rather than sweet cherries. Morello cherries are one of the most common kinds of cherry used, but other varieties such as the black cherry may also be used.
Cherry pie is associated with Europe, North America and is mentioned in the lyrics of American folk songs such as Billy Boy. Due to the cherry harvest in midsummer coinciding with Canada Day on July 1 and America’s Independence Day on July 4, cherry pie is often served on these holidays. It is also associated with the celebration of Washington’s Birthday because of the legend of young Washington’s honesty regarding the felling of a cherry tree.
Cherry pie is often eaten with whipped cream or ice cream. A common preparation tradition in the United States is to decorate the crust with ornate pastry patterns. A very different cherry-based dessert is Donauwelle in Germany and Austria.
