Rustic Mountain Cherry Pie Recipe

This cherry mountain pie is a perfect camping dessert — simple to prepare and wonderfully delicious. With just a loaf of bread, a can of cherry pie filling, and a mountain pie iron over the campfire, you can enjoy warm, toasty pie that’s great for families and outdoor gatherings.

Cherry Mountain Pie

I didn’t try a sweet mountain pie until my teenage years. Growing up we made a lot of camping meals, but they were mostly savory — my family’s pizza mountain pies were a staple and remain a favorite. The cherry mountain pie is an easy, crowd-pleasing twist for dessert around the campfire.

This cherry mountain pie is very flexible: swap the cherry filling for apple, blueberry, peach, or any canned or thick homemade pie filling. For a richer treat try sprinkling shaved chocolate over the cherries for a chocolate cherry mountain pie. The method stays the same, which makes these pies ideal as a quick, portable camping dessert or an easy oven-based treat at home.

How to make a Cherry Mountain Pie

When assembling any mountain pie, keep the filling well away from the edges of the bread. If the filling reaches the crust it will leak out during cooking and make a sticky mess inside the pie iron.

• Butter two slices of bread on one side each.
• Place the first slice butter side down in the pie iron.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup of cherry pie filling into the center of the bread, leaving a wide margin around all edges.
• Top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
• Close and lock the pie iron, making sure the edges align so the filling stays inside.
• Hold the iron in the campfire or over hot coals and toast one side until golden, watching closely to avoid burning.
• Flip the iron and toast the other side until evenly browned and the filling is hot.

Mountain Pie Iron

A cast-iron mountain pie iron works best for these toasty desserts. The heavy iron distributes heat evenly and the long handle keeps you safely away from flames. Many models have wooden handles and a hinged top that makes it easy to check the pie without releasing the catch. There are single and double irons available — a double iron cooks two pies at once and is handy for larger groups.

Bread choice: Any bread that fits the iron will work — white, whole wheat, brioche, or even sturdy sandwich bread. Thicker or firmer slices hold up better to moist fillings.

Homemade pie filling: Use homemade filling only if it’s thick and not watery. Watery fillings will soak through the bread and cause leakage. A slightly gelled filling, similar to canned pie filling, is ideal.

Other fillings: Yes — try apple, blueberry, peach, or even savory fillings like pizza toppings. For sweet variations, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few chocolate shavings before closing the pie iron.