Description
A delicious, exotic, and elegant Mahlab, Sumac & Date Molasses Cherry Pie. Features a flaky crust, juicy cherry filling infused with aromatic Middle Eastern spices, and a rich date molasses sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups fresh cherries, stemmed & pitted
- ½ cup granulated or caster sugar
- 2 tbsp date molasses
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of ½ lemon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp sumac
- 1 tsp mahlab (or substitute with tonka bean or vanilla bean seeds)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small cubes (optional)
- Pie Dough: 1 sheet, or double recipe dough (4 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup cold butter, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the cherry filling: In a medium bowl, combine sugar, date molasses, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in cherries, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, sumac, and mahlab. Mix gently and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Roll out the dough: Roll out one dough disc into a 12-inch circle. Place it into the pie pan.
- Assemble the pie: Spread the cherry filling evenly into the crust. Dot with butter (if using). Roll out the second dough disc and place over the filling. Crimp edges. Brush the top crust with cream/milk, and sprinkle with sugar. Make steam slits.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the pie on the preheated sheet. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Reduce to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 40–50 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Cool & serve: Let the pie cool completely (about 4 hours) before slicing. Serve with cream, vanilla ice cream, or custard.
Notes
- If using sour cherries, add an extra 3 tablespoons of sugar.
- Dough Temperature: Ideally the dough should be cold or even frozen when baked for best texture.
- Crust Browning: If edges brown too quickly, cover loosely with strips of foil.
- Cooling Time: The 4-hour cooling time is crucial! The filling needs this time to fully set and avoid running out when sliced.
- Spice Balance: Mahlab provides a subtle, nutty-cherry aroma; adjust sumac for tartness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55–65 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: whole pie (~1.6 kg total)
- Calories: ~6,400 kcal
- Sugar: ~290 g
- Sodium: ~2,400 mg
- Fat: ~325 g
- Saturated Fat: ~205 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~120 g
- Trans Fat: ~5 g
- Carbohydrates: ~870 g
- Fiber: ~35 g
- Protein: ~77 g
- Cholesterol: ~660 mg
Keywords: Cherry Pie, Mahlab Pie, Sumac Dessert, Date Molasses, Middle Eastern Pie, Gourmet Cherry Pie, Holiday Dessert, Flaky Crust, Spiced Pie, Baking