Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Take your desserts to a whole new level with this homemade apple pie filling. This simple recipe combines apples, sugar and spices for a sweet and flavorful filling.
It’s perfect for pies, or easy desserts like puff pastry strudel, on pancakes or with granola, oatmeal or croissant French toast.
Making a homemade filling is easier than you might think. It is as simple as combining all the ingredients together in a saucepan!
How to make apple pie filling from scratch
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Sugar
- Star anise
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Cornstarch
Tools you will need:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Medium saucepan
- Spatula or wooden or soup spoon – for stirring
A quick overview of the recipe:
Making homemade apple filling is easier than you might think. It is as simple as combining most of the ingredients together in a saucepan, then simmering until the apples are soft.
The last thing is to add butter and cornstarch at the very end to thicken the sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Cornstarch is the best way to thicken the filling.
You can eat this one without an issue. Pour it over an ice cream or serve it with pancakes, whipped cream…
Yes, it does. It adds richness and creaminess so make sure to use the real deal not a butter substitute.
Useful recipe tips
- If you are using it as a topping say for ice cream or pancakes, first check the thickness of the sauce. You might not even need to thicken it. Or, add only a teaspoon of cornstarch at a time to see what consistency works the best for you.
- I like to cook the apples until they are soft. That way you can use it as a topping or filling.
- You can use any kind of sugar you like or have on hand – granulated, brown or dark muscovado sugar. Avoid using powdered (icing sugar) though.
- It is good to use firm tart-ish apples like Granny Smith, but you can use other types as well. Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious or Fuji will work just as well. When choosing apples for homemade apple pie filling, make sure they are not soft or mushy on the inside. That is the main thing. You can work with fruits that are sweeter or tarter and adjust the quantity of sugar or add a splash of lemon juice to offset the sweetness of the filling.
Delicious apple recipes you might like:
- Baked Apples – Such a good winter dessert!
- Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
- Caramel Apple Dip – Easy and tasty sweet treat ready in minutes!
Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 8 apples , medium-sized (6 cups diced and peeled), see note 1
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams), see note 2
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons butter (90 grams), see note 3
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add apples, sugar, star anise, cinnamon and ¼ cup water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender, not mushy though.
- Add butter and shortly after a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water). Mix until the liquid thickens. Turn off and set aside to cool down.
- Use in desserts like pies and tarts, as a topping for oatmeal, or anywhere you like.
Notes
- You can use any kind of apples. Granny Smith is great as they are firm and tart, but Golden Delicious, Fuji or Honeycrisp will work just fine. Avoid apples that are mushy on the inside.
- Granulated, demerara or brown sugar will all work here just fine.
- You will need about 1.5 ounces of butter. Don’t use more than 2 ounces (60 grams)! Adding too much can cause the sauce to split or the fat to separate.
- 6 cups of peeled and diced apples should yield 3 cups ready-made filling, about 27 ounces/770 grams.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the type of apples you use. The tarter and firmer apples will take longer than the softer ones.
- This recipe is plenty to fill a 9-inch (23-centimeter) with some leftovers or a 10-inch (25-centimeter) pie dish.