Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
A luscious homemade cherry pie filling with tart cherries, sweetened and thickened to perfection, ideal for pies, tarts, or as a topping for desserts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a saucepan, mix dry ingredients: sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Gradually stir in juice from canned cherries and cook until thickened.
- Add cherries and almond extract at the end and cook briefly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker filling, increase the cornstarch slightly or reduce the cherry juice. If sour cherries are unavailable, sweet cherries can be used, but reduce the sugar to balance the sweetness. Adding a splash of almond extract enhances the flavor. For a bit of zing, consider mixing in a dash of lemon juice. This filling is versatile and can be used for pies or as a topping for pancakes.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade cherry pie filling is perfect for classic desserts like cherry pie or can be spooned over vanilla ice cream for a delightful sundae. It also pairs beautifully with pancakes or waffles for a sweet breakfast treat. For a fun twist, try using it as a topping for Dot'S Wowie Cake to impress your guests at brunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cherry pie filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To freeze, portion the filling into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving space for expansion, and it will keep well for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove over low heat, stirring gently until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling contains roughly 251 calories, with 3g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries! Simply pit and slice about 4 cups of fresh cherries, and follow the same steps in the recipe. You may need to adjust the sugar based on the tartness of your cherries, and you might want to increase the cooking time to allow the filling to thicken properly.
How can I make this filling less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness of the cherry pie filling, cut back on the sugar. Start by using half of the recommended sugar and taste as you go. You can also add a bit of lemon juice to enhance the flavor without adding sweetness. Remember that the sweetness will balance out during baking if used in a pie.
Can I make this filling vegan?
This cherry pie filling is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, if you are using a pie crust, ensure that it is also vegan. Many store-bought crusts are not, but you can easily find vegan recipes online. This filling can also be used with other vegan desserts like crumbles or as a topping for dairy-free ice cream.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).