Apple Pie Filling Recipe (2024)

By Erin Jeanne McDowell

Apple Pie Filling Recipe (1)

Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
4(391)
Notes
Read community notes

Many apple pies call for simply tossing cut apples with sugar, adding a thickening agent and some spices, and plopping it all into a crust. But precooking the apples has multiple advantages: First, it draws out some of their juices, to ensure consistency. (No undercooked apples or runny filling here!) And, second, it prevents the filling from sinking away from the crust as it cools, leaving a pocket of air between filling and crust. Use this all-purpose filling in a traditional pie, tiny hand-held pies, or in a cobbler. Itcan be made several days ahead, leaving just assembling and baking.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 cups (enough for 1 9-inch pie)

  • 4tablespoons/55 grams unsalted butter (½ stick)
  • 6 to 8medium apples, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or Gala, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch dice (about 6½ cups/1 kilogram)
  • 2tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1cup/220 grams light or dark brown sugar
  • 1tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½cup/100 grams granulated sugar
  • cup/45 grams all-purpose flour

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

320 calories; 6 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 66 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 54 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 229 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Apple Pie Filling Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples, tossing to coat in the butter. Add lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt and stir to combine. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the apples start to soften, 5 to 6 minutes.

  2. Step

    2

    In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and flour. Add to the pot and stir well to combine. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    Let the filling cool completely before using. (You can speed this process up by spreading it into an even layer on a baking sheet.) The filling will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

Ratings

4

out of 5

391

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Kristin

Very delicious, but there was far too much liquid in the filling to use in a full pie. After chilling, I strained the juices back into the pot and reduced them to about 1/3 cup (as Erin recommends for similar fruit pies). Then added the reduced syrupy stuff back to the apples. No soggy bottom!

Carin

For me this recipe yielded an unpleasantly gluey and over-spiced pie. Too much of everything -- sugar, cinnamon, ginger -- overwhelmed the flavor of the apple. I suggest cutting way back on all the ingredients, except the apples!

Stacy E.

This is an excellent template for making apple pie filling. I go all the way down to ~150 grams brown sugar + 60 grams granulated white sugar if I've got sweeter apples (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, etc). I only use the full amounts if I've got a lot of Granny Smiths. If you're not sure, weigh out the brown sugar and add about half to the pot, pulling it off the heat and tasting as you go to see if it's sweet enough. Apples vary widely in sweetness, so it's worth taking your time with this step.

John

Perhaps after slicing and coring the apples, let them drain in a colander for about an hour and a half. Put a bowl under the colander to catch the juice and make a reduction from the juice to glaze the crust. Should take care of the problem of too much liquid.

JT

used only one teaspoon of raw sugar, no brown. instead of corn starch, used pre-prepared chia seeds with blueberries. Used vegan butter instead of dairy butter. Added extra lemon juice. Chia takes up extra liquid. These helped raise the healthy level and helped rely on apples for sweet & tartness.

Cinderella

The first time I made this exactly as written, too sweet and too thick. Second time around, halved the sugar and only added 1 tablespoon of the white sugar/flour mixture. It was much better, suggest you edit according to your taste.

Morgan

Tasty. Have not put in a pie, etc yet. Followed recipe exactly except skipped all granulated sugar and vanilla. Lemon adds nice flavor. Could get very thin if your apples have a lot of water content.

Liz B.

I halved this recipe and reduced both the brown and white sugars because my apples (a mix of Honeycrisp and Fuji) were pretty sweet on their own. AMAZING FILLING for hand pies! Since it's pre-cooked it's so perfect for tiny pies that aren't in the oven that long. It thickened up nicely, and I let the apples get a little extra soft (personal preference). Maybe not my favorite for a full pie though - the crust to filling ratio for this was perfect with hand pies.

Eileen

I like the idea very much and I followed the recipe and video closely. It was quite gooey and heavy on the cinnamon and sugar. Having some of it tonight with ice cream and a crumble top.

chelsea

Great stuff. I made it exactly as written (well, to be fair, I added some allspice in addition to the listed spices) and while it was definitely on the sweeter side, it was a big hit! I imagine the apple’s sweetness makes a big difference - mine were not super sweet to begin with. I’m not usually into fruit pies but this has opened my mind a bit. Absolutely lovely room temperature the day after baking. Held up great in a pie crust.

Kathleen H

I found it too sweet and next time I’ll cut way down on the cinnamon,

Stephanie

Excellent. Made exactly as written.

leslie

This freezes well. I made several batches last year. It's good in a crust, or with a crumble topping without a crust.

Ginny

Use less brown sugar and less cinnamon More lemon juiceLess regular sugar

imri

I added ground cloves and a little turmeric for extra spice.

Lynn M

I didn’t have a lot of liquid as others did as I just softed the apples rather than cooking them down so the pie has some bite: I actually needed to add a little more citrus juice to slacken off the sauce. Halved all the sugars and used only about a tablespoon of flour and only 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Perfect.

Nan

Way too much spice and flour...I want an apple pie. Not a spicey gloppy mess.

Simon

This turned out really well, and goes great with a crumble topping. I highly recommend straining it out extra liquid and cooking it down to a caramel-y consistency.

Brecken

I didn't have a lemon on hand (dang it!) so I used white wine vinegar, which worked out well. I also added in a tsp. of all spice and it ended up very yummy. After the apples baked down, I was also shocked how much liquid came out! I decided to follow Kristin's advice and reduced the liquid until it became thick and reminded me of an apple-y caramel. I couldn't stop munching on the cooked apples, they tasted great!

Stacy E.

This is an excellent template for making apple pie filling. I go all the way down to ~150 grams brown sugar + 60 grams granulated white sugar if I've got sweeter apples (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, etc). I only use the full amounts if I've got a lot of Granny Smiths. If you're not sure, weigh out the brown sugar and add about half to the pot, pulling it off the heat and tasting as you go to see if it's sweet enough. Apples vary widely in sweetness, so it's worth taking your time with this step.

John

Perhaps after slicing and coring the apples, let them drain in a colander for about an hour and a half. Put a bowl under the colander to catch the juice and make a reduction from the juice to glaze the crust. Should take care of the problem of too much liquid.

Morgan

Tasty. Have not put in a pie, etc yet. Followed recipe exactly except skipped all granulated sugar and vanilla. Lemon adds nice flavor. Could get very thin if your apples have a lot of water content.

JT

used only one teaspoon of raw sugar, no brown. instead of corn starch, used pre-prepared chia seeds with blueberries. Used vegan butter instead of dairy butter. Added extra lemon juice. Chia takes up extra liquid. These helped raise the healthy level and helped rely on apples for sweet & tartness.

Cinderella

The first time I made this exactly as written, too sweet and too thick. Second time around, halved the sugar and only added 1 tablespoon of the white sugar/flour mixture. It was much better, suggest you edit according to your taste.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Apple Pie Filling Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thickener for apple pie filling? ›

The best way to thicken runny apple pie filling before baking it is to add some cornstarch, tapioca starch, or flour to your mix. To fix a runny pie that's already been baked, simply let it cool to see if it will congeal naturally. If not, you can stick it back in the oven for a bit longer.

What is the best apple mix for pie? ›

The exact ratio is up to you. If you prioritize a more puckery pie, use mostly Granny Smiths and toss in a Honeycrisp and a Jonagold. If you like your apples to slump and soften, use mostly Golden Delicious with a Braeburn thrown in.

What is apple pie filling made of? ›

Crisp apples, rich butter, a blend of sugars, cinnamon and apple juice come together in perfect harmony to create the best apple pie filling of all time! There are so many reasons to make your own apple pie filling from scratch.

How do you keep apple pie filling from being runny? ›

Here are some tips to prevent runny apple pie.
  1. Precook the filling. ...
  2. Reduce the juice. ...
  3. Experiment with different thickeners. ...
  4. Vent the top crust. ...
  5. Try a lattice or crumb top crust. ...
  6. Bake thoroughly — and then some. ...
  7. Let the pie cool completely — preferably overnight.
Sep 19, 2018

Is flour or cornstarch better for filling apple pie? ›

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

How many apples for 6 cups? ›

If the recipe calls for 6 cups of sliced apples, you'll likely need about 8 medium-sized apples, or about 2 pounds of medium-sized apples. Now go fill your home with the scents of the season and bake the day away.

How do I keep the bottom crust of a fruit pie from getting soggy? ›

Crust dust is a 1:1 mixture of flour and granulated sugar. When baking a pie, especially a fruit pie, a couple of teaspoons of crust dust sprinkled into the bottom of the crust will help prevent the crust from becoming saturated with juicy filling as it bakes.

What is the number one apple for pie? ›

Granny Smith apples are considered by many to be the "pie apples." They are known for their snappy tartness and ability to maintain their shape and texture when cooked. These are, no doubt, a terrific choice for apple pie — especially when combined with a sweeter, softer apple like Braeberns or Crispins.

Should you cook apples before putting in pie? ›

Should you cook the apples before baking apple pie? You don't have to pre-cook the filling before spooning it into the pie crust, but it's a quick step I recommend. Just 5 minutes on the stove begins the softening process, and also helps the flavors start to mingle.

Are canned fried apples the same as apple pie filling? ›

The verdict? They're similar to apple pie filling in texture, but much less sugary and syrupy. The apple filling inside the can is much juicer and not as sticky as the liquid in apple pie filling.

Why is there lemon juice in apple pie filling? ›

The acid in lemon juice helps prevent browning and keeps the apples looking nicer. It also adds brightness to the flavor. The filling may be watery because of the variety of apples you are using. Some fruit produces more juice than others.

Should I Prebake the bottom crust for apple pie? ›

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie.

Why do you put butter in apple pie? ›

A: Dotting the top of a fruit pie filling with butter is an old habit but one that is called for in only about half of the pie recipes out there. Some maintain that the butter is for taste; others claim that it helps the filling set up, particularly when using flour as a thickener.

Why did my apples turn mushy in my pie? ›

Perfect Pie Tip #6: Choose Tart Apples

When apples are cooked, this pectin breaks down, and the apples turn mushy. However, there are ways to control this pectin breakdown, helping you to ensure that your apple slices are tender, but still hold their shape in the pie. The easiest first step is to pick the right apple.

Is cornstarch or flour better for thickening apple pie? ›

Thickening properties: Cornstarch thickens more effectively than flour but needs higher temperatures to thicken. Toss it with sugar first to help it disperse better when it hits liquid.

What can I use instead of cornstarch to thicken apple pie filling? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.

How do I make my pie filling thicker? ›

Flour as Pie Filling Thickener

Teaspoon for teaspoon, you will need to use about twice as much flour as you would cornstarch or tapioca to achieve the same thickening effects. Adding too much flour to your pie filling will turn it cloudy and pasty, with a distinctly floury taste.

What is the best thickener for apple pie filling that will be frozen after baking? ›

Freezing causes liquids thickened with flour or cornstarch to shear or separate during freezing. Therefore, baked pies or fillings thickened with tapioca or modified food starch such as Instant ClearJel® or ThermFlo® will maintain their consistency better.

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