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The Best 15-Minute Homemade Apple Pie Filling (Thick & Perfectly Spiced)

Close-up of thick, glossy apple pie filling recipe slices coated in cinnamon sugar sauce in a white bowl.
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Make this easy apple pie filling from scratch for pies, crisps, or as a sweet apple topping. This recipe uses brown sugar to create a thick, perfectly spiced glaze that tastes much better than store-bought.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (about 2 lbs, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare your apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place them in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This mixture prevents clumps.
  3. Pour the lemon juice and water over the sliced apples. Toss gently to coat.
  4. Add the dry sugar and spice mixture to the apples. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the spice mixture.
  5. Transfer the apple mixture to a large saucepan. Add the tablespoon of butter.
  6. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the liquid thickens into a glaze and the apples soften slightly but still hold their shape (about 8 to 12 minutes). Do not overcook; you want tender slices, not mush.
  7. Remove the pan from the heat. The filling will thicken more as it cools.
  8. Use immediately in your pie crust or allow it to cool completely before using it as an apple pie topping for pancakes or ice cream.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use a mix of apples. Granny Smith provides tartness and structure, while Honeycrisp or Fuji offer sweetness. Avoid overly soft apples.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the filling during the last minute of cooking.
  • This recipe makes enough filling for one standard 9-inch pie. You can easily double the recipe for two pies or for canning/freezing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycommand.com/apple-pie-filling-recipe/