How to Make Delicious Cherry Pie Filling

If you love cherry pie, you know that the key to a delicious pie is a filling that is sweet, tart, and bursting with the flavor of fresh cherries. Store-bought pie fillings just won’t cut it, and many homemade recipes can be time-consuming and complex. Fortunately, making a homemade cherry pie filling is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any special equipment or skills.

To start, you’ll need fresh cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and a dash of salt. Simply mix these ingredients together in a saucepan and cook until the mixture thickens and the cherries begin to break down. You can adjust the sweetness and tartness to your taste, and if you prefer a thicker filling, you can add more cornstarch. Once your filling is ready, you can use it to make a delicious cherry pie or use it as a topping for ice cream, cheesecake, or other desserts. With a homemade cherry pie filling, you can enjoy the taste of summer cherries all year round!

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How to Make Cherry Pie Filling: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you in the mood for a sweet and tangy dessert that can be enjoyed any time of the year? Look no further than cherry pie filling! Not only is it perfect for pies, but it can also be used as a topping for ice cream, cheesecake, and more. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make cherry pie filling from scratch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you get started, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

– 4 cups of pitted cherries
– 3/4 cup sugar
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 tsp almond extract
– pinch of salt
– 1/2 cup cold water

Step One: Prepare the Cherries

The first step to making cherry pie filling is to pit the cherries. If you don’t have a cherry pitter, you can use a simple trick to do it by hand. Take a chopstick and push it through the center of the cherry to remove the pit. Once you’ve pitted all the cherries, rinse them under cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step Two: Cook the Cherries

In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, almond extract, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the cherries start to release their juices.

Step Three: Thicken the Filling

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until it forms a smooth paste. Add the cornstarch mixture to the cherry mixture and stir until the filling thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step Four: Add the Vanilla

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the filling cool for a few minutes before using it.

Step Five: Jar the Filling

If you’re not using the filling right away, you can jar it and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To jar the filling, simply pour it into a jar and put it in the fridge.

Step Six: Use the Filling

When you’re ready to use the cherry pie filling, you can either use it as is or add more ingredients to customize it. Some popular additions include cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.

Tips for Making Cherry Pie Filling

– For a smoother texture, you can blend the filling in a blender or food processor before jarring it.
– You can also use frozen cherries if fresh cherries aren’t in season.
– If you want a thicker filling, simply add more cornstarch and water mixture.
– Extra filling can also be frozen and kept for later use.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make cherry pie filling from scratch, it’s time to get creative with it! Use it to make pies, tarts, turnovers, or as a topping for your favorite desserts. Making your own filling is easy and tastes much better than store-bought varieties. Plus, you get to control the sweetness and texture, ensuring that your desserts are always perfect. Happy baking!

Ingredients Needed to Make Cherry Pie Filling

Before we delve into the process of making cherry pie filling, let’s talk about the ingredients you’ll need. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

1. Cherries: First and foremost, you’ll need fresh cherries. While canned cherries are an option, fresh ones are always preferable.

2. Sugar: You’ll need a good amount of sugar to balance out the natural tartness of the cherries.

3. Cornstarch: This will help thicken your cherry pie filling so it’s not too runny.

4. Lemon juice: A little bit of lemon juice will help brighten the flavor of the cherries and balance out the sweetness.

5. Salt: Just a pinch of salt will bring out the flavors of the other ingredients in your pie filling.

6. Vanilla extract: This is totally optional, but a touch of vanilla extract can add a nice depth of flavor to your cherry pie filling.

How to Pit Cherries

Pitting cherries is an essential step in making cherry pie filling. Here are three methods to get the job done!

1. Pitting Tool: Using a cherry pitting tool is the easiest and fastest way to pit cherries. Simply place a cherry in the tool, squeeze the handles, and the pit will pop right out.

2. Paperclip: Straighten out a paperclip and insert one end into the stem end of the cherry. Wiggle the paperclip around until it catches the pit, then pull it out.

3. Knife: Use a small paring knife to carefully cut around the pit of the cherry and lift it out.

How to Make Cherry Pie Filling

Now that you have all your ingredients and pitted cherries ready, it’s time to make cherry pie filling! Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. In a large bowl, mix together your pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, salt and vanilla (if using).

2. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes to allow the cherries to release their juices.

3. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and the cherries are soft.

4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool completely.

5. Once the cherry pie filling has cooled, you can use it to fill your pie crust or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Customizing Your Cherry Pie Filling

While the above recipe is a classic cherry pie filling recipe, there are plenty of ways to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to your cherry pie filling for a warm, cozy flavor.

2. Liquor: You can also add a splash of your favorite liquor, such as Amaretto, to give your cherry pie filling an extra kick.

3. Different Fruit: Though cherry pie filling is the classic, you can substitute other fruits to make different pie fillings. Some popular options include blueberries, peaches or apples.

4. Nutty Flavor: Consider adding chopped nuts to your cherry pie filling, such as almonds or pecans, for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

Storing Cherry Pie Filling

If you’re not quite ready to use your cherry pie filling yet, you’ll need to store it properly to prevent it from going bad. The easiest way to store cherry pie filling is in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Alternatively, you can also freeze the pie filling for up to three months. Just be sure to thaw it fully before using it in your pie!

Troubleshooting Your Cherry Pie Filling

If your cherry pie filling isn’t quite right, don’t worry. Here are a few common issues you may encounter and how to fix them:

1. Too Runny: If your cherry pie filling is too runny, it likely needs more cornstarch. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water to make a slurry and add it to your filling. Cook for a few more minutes until thickened.

2. Too Sweet: If your cherry pie filling is too sweet, try adding a splash of lemon juice to balance out the flavors.

3. Too Tart: Similarly, if your cherry pie filling is too tart, try adding a bit more sugar to sweeten it up.

Using Your Cherry Pie Filling

Now that you have your cherry pie filling ready, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Classic Cherry Pie: Fill a pie crust with your cherry pie filling and bake according to your favorite pie recipe.

2. Ice Cream Topping: Warm up your cherry pie filling in the microwave and pour it over vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.

3. Thumbprint Cookies: Make thumbprint cookies and fill them with a spoonful of cherry pie filling for a fun twist on a classic cookie.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make cherry pie filling, it’s time to get baking! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a filling that’s perfect for the classic cherry pie or even some more creative dessert ideas. Don’t be afraid to customize the recipe to your liking and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Happy baking!

Ingredients for Cherry Pie Filling

Making a cherry pie filling requires ingredients that can be easily found in grocery stores or supermarkets. Here are the essential ingredients that you need to prepare:

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

The first step in making cherry pie filling is to prepare the cherries. If you are using fresh cherries, wash and pit them. If you have a cherry pitter, it will make the task incredibly easy. However, if you don’t have one, you can still pit them using a fork or chopstick.

If you are using canned cherries, drain them well and reserve the liquid as you might need to add some later to adjust the consistency of the cherry pie filling.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

In a saucepan, mix together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the cherries, lemon juice, and reserved cherry juice if you are using canned cherries. Cook on medium heat until the mixture boils, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for about two minutes until the mixture thickens and the cherry juices are translucent.

Step 3: Add Butter and Almond Extract (Optional)

Remove the pan from heat and add the butter and almond extract. Stir well until the butter is melted and the almond extract is well absorbed into the cherry pie filling. This will enhance the flavor of the cherry pie filling, but you can leave it out if you prefer.

Step 4: Cool and Store

Allow the cherry pie filling to cool completely before using. If you are not using it immediately, store it in airtight jars or containers in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the cherry pie filling for up to six months.

Step 5: Use the Filling in Your Favorite Cherry Pie Recipe

Now that you have your homemade cherry pie filling, you can use it to make your favorite cherry pie recipe. Fill the pie crust with the cherry pie filling and bake according to your recipe instructions. The result will be a delicious, homemade cherry pie that everyone will love.

Enjoy Your Delicious Cherry Pie Filling!

Thanks for taking the time to read this article on how to make cherry pie filling. We hope it has inspired you to take on this delicious recipe. We’d love to hear about your cherry pie adventures, so be sure to leave us a comment below. And don’t forget to come back and visit us soon for more mouth-watering recipes!