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The Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling: Thick, Juicy, and Spiced

A spoonful of thick, caramelized apple pie filling, rich with cinnamon, being lifted from a small white plate.
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Make superior apple pie filling from scratch on your stovetop. This recipe uses brown sugar and warm spices for a thick, juicy texture that beats any store-bought can.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk these dry ingredients together well.
  2. Add the water and lemon juice to the saucepan. Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  3. Add the sliced apples to the saucepan. Gently toss the apples with the sugar mixture until every slice is coated.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken. This takes about 8 to 10 minutes. You want the apples to soften slightly but still hold their shape.
  5. Once the filling is thick and glossy, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the butter until it melts completely into the hot filling.
  6. Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool completely before using it in your pie crusts or desserts. Cooling allows the filling to set to the proper thickness.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith holds its shape well, while Honeycrisp adds sweetness.
  • If you plan to use this as a topping for pancakes or waffles, you can cook the apples slightly longer until they are very tender.
  • This filling is excellent spooned over vanilla ice cream or used as a filling for cinnamon rolls.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/apple-pie-filling-easy-stovetop-recipe/