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The Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling: Thick, Spiced, and Ready in 30 Minutes

A close-up of a slice of pie topped with generous spoonfuls of glistening, spiced apple pie filling.
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Make thick, delicious apple pie filling from scratch on the stovetop. This sweet-spiced glaze recipe uses brown sugar and results in tender apple slices perfect for pies, crisps, or topping pancakes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
  • 3/4 cup packed 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
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Peel, core, and slice your apples into uniform 1/4-inch thick pieces. Place them in a large bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
  3. Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the apple slices. Add the lemon juice. Toss gently until all the apples are evenly coated.
  4. Transfer the apple mixture to a large saucepan. Add the butter.
  5. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken, about 8 to 12 minutes. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is glossy and the apples are slightly tender but still hold their shape. Do not overcook.
  7. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the filling cool completely before using it in a pie crust or storing it.

Notes

  • For a thicker glaze, dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold water before adding it to the dry ingredients.
  • Use firm apples that hold their shape well during cooking, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
  • This filling works well as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or baked oatmeal.
  • You can can this filling for long-term storage using proper water bath canning methods.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/apple-pie-filling-recipe-thick-spiced/