Apple Pie Filling

Name: Apple Pie Filling
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 5-1/2 quarts (enough for about five 9-inch pies)
Ingredients: 18 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 6 pounds); 3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice; 4-1/2 cups sugar; 1 cup cornstarch; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 10 cups water

Total Time Prep: 35 min. Cook: 20 min. + cooling

Yield 5-1/2 quarts (enough for about five 9-inch pies)

Test Kitchen Approved

Our apple pie filling recipe cooks sugar-and-spiced apple pieces that keep their shape after cooking, thanks to a handy freezer-canning preservation.

Ingredients

18 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 6 pounds)
3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
4-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 cups water

Directions

In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice; set aside. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add water; bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add apples; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until the apples are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
Ladle into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Cool at room temperature no longer than 1-1/2 hours. Seal and freeze; store up to 12 months.

Nutrition Facts

about 1/2 cup: 124 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.

My family is always delighted to see an oven-fresh pie cooling on the counter. What a convenience it is to have jars of homemade freezer apple pie filling on hand so I can treat them to pies year-round. —Laurie Mace, Los Osos, California

Recipe Creator