———————–BROWN SUGAR GRAHAM CRUST———————–
1 1/2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs; *
1/4 c Brown Sugar; Firmly Packed
1/3 c Butter or Margarine; Melted
FILLING
8 oz Cream Cheese; Softened, PLUS
3 oz Cream Cheese; Softened
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 ts Vanilla
2 Egg Whites; Stiffly Beaten
16 oz Cherries; Pie, In Water
Red Food Coloring
1/4 c Sugar
1 tb Cornstarch
* 20 Graham crackers, crushed, should give you this amount of
crumbs. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++ +++
CRUST:
Combine the cracker crumbs, the brown sugar and butter in a small
bowl, blending well. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a
9-inch pie plate.
FILLING:
Beat the two packages of cream cheese in a bowl using an electric
mixer set on medium speed, until smooth. Gradually add 1/2 cup of
sugar and the vanilla, blending well. Gently fold the stiffly beaten
egg whites into the cream cheese mixture. Pour into the brown sugar
pie crust. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until the filling
is set. Cool on a wire rack. Drain the cherries, reserving 1/2 cup of
the juice. Combine the reserved juice with a few drops of red food
coloring, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils
and thickens. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Arrange the
cherries over the cheese filling, then spoon the glaze over the
cherries. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator or
until the glaze is set. Serve cold.
Yields
6 Servings