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Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe

A classic stovetop apple pie filling made with firm apples, warm spices, and a lightly thickened syrup. This recipe makes enough filling for one standard 9-inch double-crust pie.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apple Filling
  • 6 medium-to-large apples Baking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon Fine salt
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Water or apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Peel, core, and slice the apples evenly into 1/4-inch pieces. Toss the slices with lemon juice to help reduce browning while you prepare the syrup.
  2. Whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water or cider together in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture simmers and begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Add the apples and stir gently until every slice is coated in the syrup. Continue cooking for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly tender but not mushy.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the optional butter until melted. Cool the filling for 20 to 30 minutes, or until completely cool, before adding it to a pie crust.

Notes

Use a mixture of firm tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture. Pour the thickened syrup into the crust with the apples, but leave behind any excess watery liquid. For a glossy filling, replace the flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch.