In John St. John: The Record of the Magical Retirement of G. H. Frater, O.’. M.’. Aleister Crowley records eating cherry pie (Tarte aux Cerises) with his lunch on the Fourth Day. Legend has it that George Washington chopped down his father’s favorite cherry tree, but could not lie about it. In honor of Presidents’ Day in the United States, here’s a recipe for a cherry pie like the one Crowley may have enjoyed in Paris.
Tarte aux Cerises
Crust:
- 2 cups pastry flour
- 1 stick of butter
- pinch of salt
- Enough cold water to make the dough stick together
Filling:
- 1 pound pitted cherries
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ powdered sugar
- 1 egg white
Prepare the pie crust by mixing all ingredients, then chill for 1 hour.
Spread the dough in the pan, prick the bottom with a fork, and brush with egg white (this allows the crust to stay crunchy).
Bake about 10 minutes.
Mix eggs, sugar, cream. Pour over the pie crust, then add cherries.
Bake about 30 minutes at 400°F.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
