Roll the Dough for the Bottom Pie Crust

Remove the dough for the bottom crust from the refrigerator. If necessary, let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until it is malleable enough to roll.

On a floured pastry cloth, pastry mat, or between two sheets of lightly floured plastic wrap, roll the bottom crust into a ⅛ inch thick disc, 12 inches in diameter or large enough to line the pie plate and extend enough to turn about halfway under the border. Lift the dough from time to time and add flour as necessary to keep it from sticking.

Before measuring the dough, make sure to lift it from the surface to allow it to shrink in so that it doesn’t retract when set in the pie plate. Use the expandable flan ring, or a sharp knife with the cardboard template as a guide, to cut a 12 inch disc of dough. Layer the scraps on top of the refrigerated dough for the lattice crust.

Line the Pie Plate

Transfer the dough to the pie plate, easing it into place. If necessary, trim the edge to make it even. Turn under the crust so that it is even with the edge of the pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 3 hours.

Make the Filling

Pit the cherries (see Notes), placing them in a medium bowl along with any juices that form. There should be 3½ cups/20 ounces/567 grams.

In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gently stir in the cherries along with any juices. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes to liquefy the sugar mixture. Over medium heat, stirring constantly, bring it to a boil and simmer for about 1 minute until thickened. Scrape the cherry mixture into a wide bowl or pie plate and let it cool completely. Stir in the almond extract and optional cherry concentrate, and scrape the mixture into the dough-lined pie plate.

Roll the Dough and Make the Lattice

Roll the second disc of dough into a 12 by 11 inch oval (⅛ inch thick) and cut fourteen 12 inch long, ¾ inch wide strips, using a ruler and the pastry jagger or pizza cutter. (If you are right-handed, start from the left side.)

To create a woven lattice, arrange half of the strips evenly over the filling, starting in the center. Gently curve back every other strip, a little past the center, so that the next strip can be placed perpendicular to the first strips, right at the center. Uncurve the strips so that they lie flat on top of the perpendicular strip. Working in the same direction, curve back the strips that were not curved back the first time. Lay a second perpendicular strip on top and uncurve the strips. Repeat with 2 more strips.

Apply the remaining 3 strips to the other side of the pie. Start toward the center and work in the opposite direction toward the edge. Remember always to alternate the strips that are curved back so that the strips weave in and out.

Use sharp kitchen scissors to trim the strips to a ½ inch overhang. Moisten under the ends of each strip with water and tuck the overhang under the bottom crust border, pressing down to make it adhere and to keep the border from being too thick. If desired, crimp the border using your forefinger and thumb.

Refrigerate the pie for at least 45 minutes, loosely covered with plastic wrap. Just before baking, if a crunchy and sparkling effect is desired, spritz or brush the lattice with a little milk or water (avoid the border because it will get too dark on baking) and dust it lightly with sugar.

Preheat the Oven

Forty-five minutes or longer before baking, set an oven rack at the lowest level and place the baking stone or baking sheet on it. Place a large sheet of nonstick aluminum foil or foil lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray on top of the stone to catch any juices. Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C.

Bake the Pie

Place the foil ring on top of the pie to protect the edges from overbrowning and set the pie on the foil-topped baking stone. Bake for 20 minutes. For even baking, rotate the pie halfway around. Continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes, or until thickly bubbling all over and the center is slightly puffed.

Cool the Pie

Cool on a wire rack for at least 3 hours before cutting. When set, the filling will remain juicy with just a little flow. Serve warm or at room temperature.