A beautiful cherry pie with a lattice crust and sweet-tart filling is a timeless American family dessert. This iconic pie celebrates the bright, bold flavors of ripe cherries.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack in the lower third. Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan, leaving a slight overhang.
In a large mixing bowl, combine pitted cherries, granulated sugar, flour, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss well until the cherries are evenly coated.
Pour cherry filling into the prepared crust and dot the surface with small pieces of unsalted butter for rich flavor and moisture balance.
Roll out the second crust and cut into 1-inch wide strips. Arrange strips in a lattice pattern over the filling, weaving over and under for an even finish. Trim and pinch the crust edges to seal.
Beat the egg, brush evenly over the lattice and edges for golden color, and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 35–40 minutes until the crust is golden and filling is bubbling. If edges brown too fast, cover them with foil.
Cool the pie completely on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before slicing. This ensures a neat cut and set filling.