Make thick, juicy apple pie filling from scratch on the stovetop. This recipe uses brown sugar and cinnamon for a classic, comforting flavor perfect for pies or toppings.
Author:oliviarosewood
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:About 6 cups1x
Category:Dessert Component
Method:Stovetop Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
6 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
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
1/2 cup water
Instructions
Combine the sliced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.
Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the coated apple mixture and the water to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly and the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze. Do not overcook; the apples should still hold their shape.
Remove the pan from the heat. Let the apple pie filling cool completely before using it in a pie crust or storing it.
Notes
For a thicker glaze, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of cold water during the last five minutes of cooking.
This filling works well for a double-crust pie, turnovers, or as a topping for pancakes and waffles.
You can store this homemade apple pie filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.