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Quick & Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Perfectly Spiced, Thick Sauce

A close-up of a slice of cake topped generously with glossy, cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling.
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Welcome! I’m Sarah, and I’m so happy you’re here. This recipe delivers the best homemade apple pie filling—thick, perfectly spiced, and ready fast. It avoids watery results and works great in pies, crisps, or as a topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for a thick apple pie filling secret)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Combine the sliced apples and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss gently to coat.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This is your simple apple pie spice mix.
  3. Add the sugar and spice mixture to the apples. Toss until all the apple slices are evenly coated.
  4. Place the butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once melted, add the apple mixture and the water.
  5. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes. The sauce will thicken as the cornstarch activates and the apples soften slightly. You are aiming for tender apples, not mush.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat. The filling will continue to thicken as it cools.
  7. Use this quick stovetop apple filling immediately in your pie crusts, or let it cool completely before using it in crisps or cobblers.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. Avoid using only soft varieties, as they break down too much.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute 1 tablespoon of the water with 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract added at the end of cooking.
  • This filling freezes well. Cool completely, store in an airtight container, and use within three months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/quick-easy-apple-pie-filling-recipe/