Homemade apple pie filling is a delightful way to capture the essence of fall. It’s a versatile recipe that can be used not only for traditional pies but also for various other desserts and pastries. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 5 apples
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
- Start by coring, peeling, and slicing the apples. To prevent browning, you can place them in boiling water for 1 minute, then set them aside while keeping them hot.
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, water, apple juice (or cider), and lemon juice. Stir everything together.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until it reaches the desired thickness. You want it to be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not overly thick.
- While the filling is still hot, fill hot sterilized quart jars with the filling, alternating layers of apples and syrup until the jar is almost full. Use a knife to run down the side of the jar to remove any air bubbles.
- Continue to add more apples and syrup, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar.
- Wipe the jar rims clean and place sterilized lids and rings on each jar.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath. Place the jars in a water bath pan or a large pot that allows you to cover the jars with water by about 1 inch. Boil the jars for 25 minutes.
- Carefully remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool. As they cool, you should hear the lids make a popping sound, which indicates they have sealed properly.
Now you have homemade apple pie filling ready to use in your favorite recipes. Enjoy the flavors of fall in pies, tarts, turnovers, or any dessert that calls for delicious apple filling.
