Cherry Vanilla Slab Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour (750 mL)
1/2 cup cold cubed butter (125 mL)
1/2 lard (125 mL) or 1/2 shortening (125 mL)
1/2 teaspoon salt (2 mL)
2 eggs, divided
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3/4 cup granulated sugar (175 mL)
1/4 cup cornstarch (50 mL)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (15 mL)
2 lbs sweet cherries, pitted and halved (about 6 cups)
Optional Glaze
2/3 cup icing sugar (150 mL)
1 tablespoon milk (15 mL)

Preparation

Pulse flour, butter, lard and salt in a food processor until crumbly. Whisk 1 egg with 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice; add enough ice water to make 2/3 cup (150 mL). Add to the flour mixture and pulse until the dough comes together. Form into an oblong disk; chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C). On a well-floured surface, roll dough into a large rectangle, about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick. Trim dough into a 13 x 18-inch (32.5 cm x 45 cm) rectangle. Carefully transfer dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Stir sugar with cornstarch and lemon zest until combined. Sprinkle half of the mixture evenly down the length of one side of the rectangle, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border. Arrange cherries evenly over sugar mixture. Whisk 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice with vanilla; drizzle evenly over the cherries. Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture evenly over top.
Fold dough over to cover the filling. Fold an additional 1/2-inch (1 cm) of dough from bottom layer over top layer along the edges; crimp with a fork to seal. Whisk remaining egg with a little water; brush all over pastry. Slash 4 vent holes in top. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on baking sheet.
Optional Glaze: Blend icing sugar with milk until smooth. Drizzle evenly over the cooled pie. Makes 12 servings.
Tip: Fold dough into thirds or roll around a rolling pin to transfer it, after trimming, to the baking sheet.