Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Jamielyn Nye
Updated August 16, 2021

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Homemade apple pie filling is perfect for all your fall baking this year! Great for pies, crisps, cakes and more. This delicious recipe is one of my favorite holiday staples!

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Cinnamon Sugar Apple Filling

This flavorful filling can be used for so many different apple desserts. It has amazing flavor and tastes so much better than the jarred stuff. I even love to serve it over pancakes, vanilla ice cream or as a filling for crepes.

There’s nothing I love more than a warm slice of apple pie with homemade pie crust this time of year. Especially when it’s made with homemade apple pie filling. It tastes 100x better than the store bought canned pie filling in my opinion. I have to admit, I do use the canned stuff occasionally because sometimes convenience is needed. But if you have a little extra time, I promise the homemade version is worth the extra effort to make!

Best Apples for Pie Filling

I used a variation of apples we picked at the orchard, but below are my favorites to use when making this recipe. I’m usually too lazy to peel off the apple skins (ha), but feel free to peel them if you’d like before cooking them. I also like to dice my apples pretty small, but feel free to cut them into bigger chunks or slices.

• granny smith
• honeycrisp
• jonathans
• melrose

How to Make Apple Pie Filling

1. SLICE. Cut the apples and then drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
2. MIX. Stir together the sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk in the water until everything has dissolved.
3. BOIL. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the apples and increase the heat to medium-high heat to bring the mixture to a full boil again.
4. SIMMER. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes.
5. COOL. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator to thicken.

Storing + Freezing

Pour the filling into an airtight jar or container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 12 months.

Cooking Tips

• Feel free to cut the apples into slices if preferred.
• Don’t skip out on the cornstarch. It gives it that thick and gooey consistency.
• You can adjust the spices to your preference. I always add a little extra cinnamon for good measure. :)
• The longer you refrigerate the filling, the thicker it will be. I’d recommend refrigerating it overnight before using.
• This recipe makes about 4 cups.

Favorite Ways to Use it

• Pies: Use as a filling in my easy brown bag apple pie or apple cheesecake pie.
• Crisps + Cobblers: Craving pie but don’t want to do all the work? Try making an apple crisp, apple cobbler or easy apple dump cake instead.
• Bars: One of my family’s favorites desserts are these apple pie bars drizzled with caramel sauce.
• Cupcakes: This is the perfect filling for cupcakes, especially these delicious apple pie cupcakes.
• Bread: This apple pull apart bread topped with a caramel glaze is what dreams are made of!
• Breakfast: It makes a delicious topping for apple crepes or apple cinnamon pancakes.

More Apple Desserts to Try:

• Cinnamon oat baked apples
• Caramel apple monkey bread
• Crockpot applesauce
• Caramel apples

Apple Pie Filling

5 from 4 votes

Homemade apple pie filling is perfect for all your fall baking this year! Great for pies, crisps, cakes and more. This delicious recipe is one of my favorite holiday staples!

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 16 (4 cups)

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Ingredients 

• 5 1/2 to 6 cups diced apples (any variety, peeled if desired)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water

Instructions

• Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples and toss to coat. Set the apples aside.
  
• Stir together the sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk in the water until everything has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the apples and increase the heat to medium-high heat to bring the mixture to a full boil again. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes.
  
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool. Store pie filling in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to 12 months
  

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Notes

Recipe slightly adapted from Cheesecake Love Cookbook

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Jamielyn Nye

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