Banana-Cherry Jubilee Pie

Make Banana Cream Pie as directed (this recipe). Drain the syrup from 1 can (16 ounces) dark sweet cherries into a 1 cup measuring cup and add enough water to measure 1 cup. In a small saucepan mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir in the cherry liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and boil for 3 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons kirsch (cherry liqueur) or 2 teaspoons rum extract and the cherries. Cool. Before serving, put a few spoonfuls of cherry mixture in the center of the pie and serve the rest separately as a topping.