Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Apple desserts are classic comfort foods, and many of them are made with Apple Pie Filling. Think of just about any dessert made with apples, and chances are it will also make you think of your Mom or Grandma or family.
Apple Pie
Apple Tarts
Apple Cobbler
Apple Crumble
Apple Crisp
Apple Pie Cookies
Apple Pie Apples
Just to name a few.
Yes, you can purchase pre-made, canned Apple Pie Filling, but once you have homemade you’ll never go back to that stuff. When you make your own Apple Pie Filling you can control the ingredients. Reduce the calories by using a sugar substitute. Select your favorite type of apple to make it sweeter or more sour. And your Homemade Apple Pie Filling won’t have any artificial colors or preservatives. Are you ready to give it a try? I promise it’s easy.
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
To make Homemade Apple Pie Filling you’ll need apples, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Slice apples and place them in a bowl. Add water and lemon juice to prevent browning.
In a saucepan whisk together cornstarch and water until blended. Add cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Whisk again until blended.
Pour apple slices into saucepan. Cook over low heat until apples are tender.
Allow to cool before placing into a pie crust, or store in an air tight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Can you think of other ways to enjoy this Homemade Apple Pie Filling? Leave a comment below!
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 4 cups Apples peeled and sliced
- 2 Tbs Lemon Juice
- ½ c Sugar
- 3 Tbs Cornstarch
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg ground
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 cup Warm Water
Instructions
- Slice apples and place into a bowl. To prevent browning toss in a little lemon juice and a little water.
- In a saucepan whisk together cornstarch and water until blended. Add cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Whisk again until blended.
- Pour apple slices into saucepan. Cook over low heat until apples are tender. Cooking time will depend on the firmness of the apple you use. It usually takes10-20 minutes.
- Allow to cool before placing into a pie crust, or store in an air tight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
can the apple pie filling be frozen?
can this be frozen
Is this about equal to 2 cans of store bought filling? I’m trying to make a dump cake but want to use homemade filling!
Hello, Amanda! Yes, this is about the equivalent to 2 cans of filling. It’s enough to make a large, overfilled pie. 🙂 ~Melisha
Can this be canned so it will last longer
I’m not a “canner,” but I would think it could be canned. I wish my Mom was still alive to I could ask her. She was the queen of canning!
Let me know if you try it!
~Melisha
Hi! Just have is cooking now but curious for I an freeze it and use later (hoping near Christmas?)
Brandy,
I haven’t tried freezing this Apple Pie Filling, but I don’t see why not! Some of my readers have canned the filling with success. Freezing is much easier, though. I’m going to try it!
Thanks!
~Melisha
Can I substitute cornstarch for exact amount of all purpose flour? Never made my own filling before. Seems super easy and I want to give it a try for making apple crisp.
Amanda, I haven’t tried it, but I think you could use flour instead of cornstarch. It might take a few more minutes to thicken up, but it should work. Let me know how it turns out!
~Melisha
When you use it for a pie and bake it, wouldn’t the apples get too mushy?
Hi, Nita! The apples do soften but they haven’t been mushy for me. If you prefer them more firm you can reduce the cooking time.
~Melisha
You might want to change “thing” in your question on what else this can be used for, to “think.”
Oh, goodness! That has been there a long time, and I never noticed! Thank you so much, Peg, for bringing that to my attention. I really appreciate it!
Blessings,
~Melisha
When pouring the apples to the saucepan, am I pouring it along with the juice and water?
Hi, Karla!
Add the juice and just a couple teaspoons of water to the apple slices immediately after slicing them. This will keep them from turning brown while you mix the other ingredients in another bowl. Then combine everything into the saucepan, including the juice and water from the apple slices. Sorry if that wasn’t clear! Thanks for the question!
~Melisha
How big of a pie would this make? My first pie so I’m not familiar with it.
Hi, Liz!
This should be enough for a regular, deep dish pie. If you’re making a more shallow one you’ll just have a bit left over. I hope your pie turns out great!!!
~Melisha
Iwould like to can this recipe would it work for canning
Dorothy,
My Mom used to do a lot of canning, but that isn’t something I’ve ever learned to do. I think you could can this, but I can’t say for sure since I haven’t tried. If you try it, would you please let me know how it turns out?
Thanks so much for commenting!
~Melisha
Great recipe!
When using this for Apple Pie do I need to add any butter or can I just fill the pie crust as is?
Nysia,
There is no need to add any butter. You can just pour it in the pie crust as is. 🙂
Thank you for asking and for rating the recipe!
~Melisha
I’m not much of a baker but I was given a ton of gala apples so I thought I would give this a try. Absolutely delicious. Thank you for the recipe!!!! Will definitely make it again.
I am so glad you liked it! Looking at the pics again is making me hungry. 🙂
Can’t you can this as well? That way it would last for more than 5 days.
I haven’t canned in awhile, but since you’re already going to the work & have the ingredients…
Shelley,
Hi! I’m sure you could can this! I didn’t post directions for that because it isn’t something I’ve done. 🙂 Great idea!!!
~Melisha
I add it to a bottom of a pan and layer pork chops on top and spread cooked stuffing mix on top. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Brown your porkchop do first!
Jeanne,
That is a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing. Our family loves pork chops. I’ll definitely be trying this.
~Melisha