While they’re great fresh, I love them in cherry desserts. Their cherries are plump, much larger than most cherries, and so very delicious.

This is another cherry dessert made from the 20-pounds of fresh cherries I received from the Northwest Cherry Growers. I’m not sure it was even available back then. I’m sure Grandma never flavored her pies with almond extract. But I’ve never forgotten the memories of how much we loved Grandma’s Cherry Pie. The cherry trees they planted then are probably gone too. The farm they started in the early 1910s or 1920s has long since been sold to one of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren. She knew how much I loved each of those recipes. When we were out playing at our cousin’s homes a few miles away she would always save me some. She served them along with Haluski ( Fried Cabbage and Noodles), because those were Grandpa’s favorites. Grandma Slivka made Cherry Pies every Thursday during the summer months when I was growing up. Cherry Pie with a faux lattice crust, or with a crumb topping were the ways they always made it. My mom and Grandma used to make Cherry Pies all the time when I was growing up. For those who don’t like to make their own pie crust, a refrigerated crust will work fine too. Then it’s topped with a crumb topping made with butter, flour and sugar. Lots of plump, juicy cherries are packed with almond flavoring into a pie crust. Cherry Crumb Pie is the best comfort food.

Cherry crumb pie delicious orchards