Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Homemade Apple Pie Filling: Nothing says comfort and nostalgia like the smell of warm, homemade apple pie filling wafting through the house. The sweet and tangy scent of apples, cinnamon, and butter filling the air makes anyone’s mouth water. And with the holiday season just around the corner, what better time to learn how to make delicious apple pie filling from scratch? Find out how easy it is to make homemade apple pie filling. In this post, you will find step-by-step instructions for creating the perfect pie filling.
It’s apple season and that means apple pie everything! This easy-to-make pie filling is not just for pie. It also makes the perfect topping on ice cream, pancakes, or waffles. I love adding it to muffins, coffee cakes, and breads. Don’t forget about no-bake desserts and parfaits! There are so many things you can do with this pie filling. Sure, you can use store-bought apple pie filling but homemade tastes so much better and can be made in a snap.
How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Make this filling in multiple batches and freeze it! Give the filling away to family and friends when they come to visit! I don’t know about you but this is one gift I would LOVE to receive!
HOMEMADE CLASSIC APPLE PIE RECIPE INGREDIENTS LIST-full recipe below in printable recipe card
- 6 large Granny Smith fresh apples (about 12 cups) peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup water
APPLE PIE FILLING INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large saucepan, add the Granny Smith apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, salt, butter and water. Stir to combine.
- On med high heat cook until butter is melted.
- Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the apples are tender but still crisp.
- Pour into a jar or container with an air-tight lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
CAN I USE THIS HOMEMADE APPLE PIE FILLING IN A PIE AND BAKE?
The answer is yes, you can use this homemade pie filling in a pie. I recommend using a nice sturdy apple like Granny Smith and adjusting the stovetop cooking time to 5 minutes of simmering.
You can use most apples for this filling but I found the best is Granny Smith. Sometimes I use multiple varieties to get an assortment of flavors and textures.
My New Favorite Tool
This is not a sponsored post folks but……I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS TOOL! I bought it on Amazon and if you peel a lot of apples… this tool is amazing! It peels, cores, and slices all with the spin of a handle. AWESOME!
WHAT IS “BLIND” BAKING?
Blind baking is the process of baking a pie crust without filling. The “pie weights” help keep the pie dough flat.
How to Blind Bake
- Place the bottom crust into the pie pan and crimp the edges.
- Line the pan with parchment paper, add pie weights (dried beans or rice).
- Halfway through the baking process take out the weights and parchment paper.
- Bake until light and crispy
WHAT APPLES SHOULD I USE TO MAKE HOMEMADE APPLE PIE FILLING?
BEST APPLES FOR BAKING AND COOKING– The last thing you want are mushy apples or to end up with applesauce instead of nice slices of apple.
- BRAEBURN
- CAMEO
- CORTLAND
- CRISPIN
- EMPIRE
- FUJI
- GALA
- GOLDEN DELICIOUS
- IDARED
- JAZZ
- JONAGOLD
- JONATHAN
- LUCY
- PINK LADY
- SUNRISE MAGIC
Mix Your Apples
Have you ever thought of mixing your apples? I love splitting them into half sweet and half tart. If baking with one variety is good, two (or more) varieties make it even better!
| TASTY TART | SWEET | SWEET + TART | CRISP | JUICY |
| Granny Smith, Idared, Cameo, Cortland | Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady | Jonathan, Jonagold | Braeburn, Empire, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady | Cameo, Granny Smith, Fuji, Sunrise, Magic |
SUGGESTIONS FOR USING HOMEMADE APPLE PIE FILLING
- Any recipe that requires a can of apple pie filling
- Apple hand pies (since small pies don’t have to be baked or fried that long this pie filling is perfect)
- Mason Jar Lid Pie
- Apple Pie Cake Roll
- Apple Pie Parfaits
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Pops
- Apple Turnovers
- Smoothies
- Milkshakes
- Waffle or Pancake Topping
- Apple Pie Fruit Dip
- Spoon on top of your favorite baked cheesecake
- Apple Dump Cake
- Apple Crisp
PIE CRUST RECIPES
There are an assortment of pie crusts that can be used with apples. Homemade pie crust is best. If you find yourself in a time crunch store-bought crust is a good substitution. For a flaky pie crust, use a butter pie crust recipe. Try these pie dough favorites listed below.
RECIPES USING APPLES
LATEST POSTS
In conclusion, making your own homemade apple pie filling is not only a delicious and satisfying experience, but it allows you to control the ingredients and create a truly unique and personalized dish. From choosing the perfect apples to adding your own special touch, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating the perfect apple pie. So why settle for store-bought when you can create your own masterpiece in the comfort of your own kitchen? So go ahead, dust off your apron and get baking! Cheers to the joys of baking and the endless possibilities that await in the kitchen!💗Sheryl
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 6 large Granny Smith apples (about 12 cups) peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, butter, and water.
- Stir to combine.
- On medium-high heat cook until butter is melted.
- Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the apples are tender but still crisp.
- Pour into a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
SIGN UP FOR THE LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER: Receive (twice a month) seasonally themed newsletters full of recipes, tips and tricks. Sometimes even FREE gifts! Click here for the Newsletter→CURTAIN CALL NEWSLETTER
THANKS FOR VISITING♥
PRINT??????? HOW
Hi Robert, If you click on the print button provided in the recipe card a new screen should pop up with a print option. I just tried it in Chrome and FireFox and it worked in both.
I need 240 mini – 4″- 4.5″ apple pies love this mason jar lid idea but just trying to figure out if this is possible for me to make…..would you say 3 apples per lid??
Hi Cheryl, A wide mouth mason jar lid is about 3 3/8 inches. This apple pie filling will make 18 wide mouth mason jar lid pies. Here’s the link to the recipe—->>>>MASON JAR LID APPLE PIES Good Luck!
How many pies does this one batch make?
Hi Tracy, While this is apple pie filling it is meant to be used as a topping, in yogurt or other no bake treats. Since the apples are already cooked I wouldn’t use it for a pie.
Man! I literally just saw your comment about this not being intended for pie. I already made these and was going to bake a pie today with them.
Hi Starla, Go ahead and try it. Just make sure to adjust the baking time and please let me know if it works!
Ended up working great! Used Pillsbury pie crusts, baked per box directions and it was wonderful. Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
That’s great Starla!
How long would you recommend baking it for?
I’m going to try doing what my mom used to do. Freeze the apples into a pie plate lined with plastic wrap. When frozen take out and wrap apples in more plastic and save to make pies when ready to bake one. Honestly I haven’t tried it but she never said it didn’t work lol. Hopefully it will work or have you tried this and it did?
No, I haven’t tried it Carol but I think it’s brilliant!
This has been my go-to recipe since I switched apple pie recipes. Hands down the best and super caramelized. I have received nothing but compliments. My pies don’t last long, so I have to make a few just to hold us over! Thank you so much for this recipe.
Thank You Heather. I’m so glad you like the recipe.