Description
This Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is a luscious, thickened blend of fresh or frozen cherries, sweetened and enhanced with a hint of lemon and optional almond extract. Perfect for filling pies, tarts, or as a topping for desserts, this easy-to-make filling offers a fresh, vibrant flavor with just a few pantry staples and takes only 20 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in the lemon juice and water until the mixture is well blended.
- Cook Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning. Continue cooking until the filling begins to bubble and thickens, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add Almond Extract: If desired, add the almond extract and stir to evenly incorporate the flavor into the thickened filling.
- Cool Filling: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cherry pie filling to cool before using it in your favorite pie or dessert recipes.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries in season for the best flavor, or frozen cherries when fresh are unavailable.
- The almond extract is optional but adds a delicate nutty note to the filling.
- If the filling is too thick, you can add a little extra water during cooking to reach your desired consistency.
- The filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Stir frequently while cooking to prevent the cornstarch from clumping or burning on the bottom of the pan.
