Easy Cherry Cream Pie

Easy enough for every day but elegant enough for a dinner party!! This recipe was published in the food section of my newspaper.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (3 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2  teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 (16 ounce) can  pitted cherries, undrained
• 1  tablespoon margarine
•  almond extract
•  food coloring (optional)
•  baked  pie shell

Directions

1. In medium saucepan, blend vanilla pudding mix, salt, sugar, water and lemon juice. Stir until smooth. Add cherries. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to full boil.
2. Remove from heat, add margarine, a few drops of almond extract and food coloring if desired. Cool and pour into baked shell. Serve topped with meringue or whipped topping. YUM!