Sour Cherry Pie occupies a perch on the dessert hierarchy above all others, sitting high and mighty. That’s because sour cherry pie, when executed well, has juicy but set filling, a balanced sweet-tart flavor, and golden flaky pastry. It’s everything a dessert should be and more. Here is Claire’s, inspired by the pies her mom used to make when she was a kid and informed by all the pie-making wisdom she’s gathered in her baking lifetime. Sour cherry season is fleeting, but seek out frozen ones and make this pie all year long.

• Claire Saffitz

• Claire Saffitz