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Apple Pie Filling

Apple Pie Filling

A foolproof homemade apple pie filling recipe that balances sweetness, spice, and texture perfectly. Made with tart apples, warm spices, and a hint of lemon, this filling is tender but not mushy, with a rich, glossy finish from butter. Ideal for pies, tarts, or as a versatile fruit topping.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Filling for 1 9-inch apple pie 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

  • 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 6 medium apples), 1/4-inch thick (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water (for cooking)
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (or coconut oil/vegan margarine for vegan option)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness. Uniform slices ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the filling.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. These ingredients will coat the apples, sweetening, spicing, and thickening the filling.
  3. Toss Apples with Dry Mix: Add the sliced apples to the dry mixture and gently toss until every slice is fully coated, ensuring an even flavor base for the filling.
  4. Cook the Filling: Transfer the apple mixture to a saucepan, add lemon juice and water, and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently and simmer until the mixture thickens and apples soften slightly, about 8–10 minutes. Avoid overcooking to maintain tender but not mushy fruit.
  5. Finish with Butter: Remove from heat and stir in cold butter until melted and incorporated, giving the filling a glossy appearance and silky texture.

Notes

  • Choose a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor and texture.
  • Do not overcook the filling to keep apples tender but not mushy.
  • Adjust cornstarch quantity depending on apple juiciness to prevent runny filling.
  • Let the filling cool before adding to pie crust to avoid soggy pastry.
  • Use freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg for strongest flavor.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8th of pie filling
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 65mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 0.3g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: apple pie filling, homemade apple pie, apple dessert, gluten free dessert, spiced apple filling