Cherry Cheese Pie

**Adopted Recipe**Preparation time does not include refrigeration time.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• BROWN SUGAR GRAHAM CRUST

• 1 1⁄2 cups graham cracker crumbs (20 graham crackers, crushed, should give you enough crumbs.)
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted

• FILLING

• 8  ounces cream cheese, softened, PLUS
• 3  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2  egg whites, stiffly beaten
• 1 (16 ounce) can cherries, in water
•  red food coloring
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. CRUST: Combine the cracker crumbs, the brown sugar and butter in a small bowl, blending well.
2. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
3. FILLING: Beat the two packages of cream cheese in a bowl using an electric mixer set on medium speed, until smooth.
4. Gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar and the vanilla, blending well.
5. Gently fold the stiffly beaten egg whites into the cream cheese mixture.
6. Pour into the brown sugar pie crust.
7. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until the filling is set.
8. Cool on a wire rack.
9. Drain the cherries, reserving 1/2 cup of the juice.
10. 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.
11. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens.
12. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
13. Arrange the cherries over the cheese filling, then spoon the glaze over the cherries.
14. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator or until the glaze is set.
15. Serve cold.