Cherry Pie Filling
With just 5 ingredients needed, this Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is so easy to make that you'll never buy the jarred version again. Quick and easy, this cherry topping is perfect for so many desserts - not just pie!
Servings: 8 (4 cups - enough to fill a 9-inch pie)
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh sweet dark cherries , pitted (about 3 pounds)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine pitted cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until the cherries start to soften.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until thoroughly combined to create a slurry. Add to the pot and continue to simmer, stirring, for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy and clear.
- Give it a taste (careful, it will be hot!) and adjust if necessary, adding more sugar or lemon juice.
- Remove the cherry filling from the heat and stir in the almond extract (avoid over-stirring to keep the cherries intact.)
- Let it cool completely and if not using right away, store in a glass jar fitted with a lid.
Notes
Try it with vanilla extract. Vanilla extract can be used instead of almond extract for less of a cherry flavor if preferred.
Add some cinnamon. Consider adding in some cinnamon for a warm flavor.
You can substitute cornstarch with gelatin powder. Make sure to bloom the gelatin before adding it to the recipe.
Reduce the recipe. If you don’t need the full recipe for a pie, simply cut the ingredients in half.
Nutrition
Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.4mg