Preserve your apples and make apple pie filling!
I love apple pies! My favorite is made with tart fresh apples. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to make a pie and this apple pie filling really comes in handy. You just make a quick pie dough, open a jar of filling, pour it in and bake! Instant dessert!
Apple pie filling is also amazing in cobblers, crisps and spooned over ice cream!
I preserve a lot of food, but this was my first time making apple pie filling. My in-laws make batches every year and usually share a few jars with me. I decided to make a few batches of my own this year.
When canning there are a few guidelines to follow
- Use clean, sterilized canning jars (sterilize jars in a dishwasher or by pouring boiling water into clean jars)
- Use fruit free from bruises or soft areas (you can cut off any bruised areas)
- Always wipe rim of jars before putting lid on
- Tighten ring firmly
- Boil in a water bath according to USDA recommended times (adjust according to your altitude)
- Let jars cool for at least 12 hours before removing lids.
- Wash jars to remove any sticky residue. Lids should be removed for washing.
- Check to make certain jars are sealed.
- Use any unsealed jars right away.
- Store canned goods in a cool, dark place.
To thicken this filling, use Clear Jel. Some recipes will list cornstarch as a thickener, but the USDA does not recommend it. My recommendation…stick with Clear Jel! To peal, core and slice the apples, I used an apple peeler. If you don’t have one, no problem! Just use a knife. The apple peeler makes canning this filling a bit quicker!
Altitude Chart from Fresh Preserving
Homemade apple pie filling
- 6 quarts fresh apples peeled, cored and sliced.
- 5 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Clear Jel
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 7 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
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In a large pot, combine sugar, Clearjel, cinnamon, nutmeg and water.
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Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Stir mixture often to prevent scorching.
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Add lemon juice and boil 1 minute
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Add apple slices and stir carefully.
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Heat for 3-5 minutes on low until apples are heated through.
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Remove from heat and fill prepared jars with mixture. Leave at least 1 inch head space in each jar.
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Wipe jars. Cap and Seal
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Process for 25 minutes (adjust for altitude) in a boiling water bathcanner.
Recipe adapted from The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest.
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55 Comments
Michele
August 22, 2018 at 3:41 amKathy, I am SO excited to try this apple pie filling. It looks delicious! Thank you so much for allowing me to include it in my apple round-up! Have a wonderful day!
Kathy
August 22, 2018 at 5:04 amThanks, Michele! It’s a great way to enjoy your apple harvest all year long!
Deb
August 23, 2017 at 4:18 pmCan you substitute stevia in the raw for the sugar?
Kathy
August 24, 2017 at 1:38 pmHi Deb,
I have not used stevia before so I don’t know if it can be substituted.
Thanks!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
October 8, 2016 at 4:07 amWow, this is so helpful. I love all your tips and directions!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:14 amThanks, Karen! Happy canning 🙂
Ann| Cooking Maniac
October 7, 2016 at 3:08 pmThis looks fabulous! I want to grab a jar and spoon and go to town! wow!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 9:56 amIt is hard to resist a jar full of apple deliciousness!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
October 6, 2016 at 5:48 amHi Kathy – this filling looks absolutely phenomenal!!! Once you’ve got this filling made, an apple pie is a breeze! Great recipe and time to order some Clear Jel asap before the fresh apples are gone!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
October 6, 2016 at 1:08 amTo make your own apple pie filling for an instant and quick dessert is simply genius! We always have way too many apples in September so this is a great way to make good use of them as we all love apple pie in my household 🙂
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:14 amIt’s hard to use up all the apples during apple harvest. This apple pie filling helps extend the season a bit further.
Jess @ Sweetest Menu
October 5, 2016 at 2:41 pmOh boy! This is the best idea ever! Your apple pies must be out of this world Kathy!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:12 amThanks, Jess!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
October 5, 2016 at 4:23 amLove this Kathy! What a great idea to have this pie filling handy! Perfect for pies, ice-cream and even spooned onto greek yogurt. Pinned!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:11 amOooohhhhh….Onto yogurt is an awesome idea. Kind of like making this pie filling acceptable for a midday snack!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
October 4, 2016 at 6:33 pmI would totally eat this apple pie filling straight out of the jar!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:10 amTotally okay! Just don’t tell my kids that I approve of this type of behavior 🙂
Balvinder
October 4, 2016 at 4:49 pmHolly, I LOVE this and it’s so simple and looks delish!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:10 amThanks 🙂
Pamela @ BFG
October 4, 2016 at 9:42 amYup, I love me some apple pie filling.. I might need a few tastes with a spoon first! 🙂
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:09 amAbsolutely! A good cook always tastes their creations 🙂 Sometimes I have to have more than just one taste….just to make certain!
Ashley
October 4, 2016 at 8:27 amApple desserts are my absolute favorite in the fall! And what a great idea to preserve the filling for later!
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:08 amI am always so happy to have canned filling in the middle of the winter.
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
October 4, 2016 at 8:08 amCanning pie is a wonderful use of fresh apples which can be used later. Canning tips are really helpful, thank you for sharing this with us.
Kathy
October 10, 2016 at 10:08 amI love seeing the beautiful canned jars lining my pantry shelves!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
October 3, 2016 at 6:16 pmThis is such a great way to save all these wonderful seasonal apples for later. I would love some over ice cream, but feel free to make me a pie too! Pinned!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:31 amOver ice cream is delicious…kind of an upside down apple pie without the crust!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden
October 3, 2016 at 12:00 pmWhat a splendid idea! I confess, I was at the Amish store and was sorely tempted to just buy their apple pie filling and push that easy button. You’re making me feel as though I need to be doing this myself. And that’s a good thing!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:25 amYou can do it, Laura! Just think….that easy button will be ready for the rest of the year with your pantry filled with your own apple pie filling!
mira
October 3, 2016 at 10:24 amLove apple pie! This filling looks perfect!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:21 amApple pie is always a favorite in our house!
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October 3, 2016 at 7:43 amthanks for all the canning tips, really useful! and yes nothing like homemade apple pie filing, looks yum!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:11 amThanks, Manali! It is yummy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
October 3, 2016 at 7:28 amI seriously can’t get enough of apples right now, so I looove this post! I’m going to make a GIANT batch of this apple pie filling to have on hand for all the things.. including eating it straight from the jar with a spoon!! Cheers, friend!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:10 amI must admit….eating it from the jar with spoon in hand is quite a treat! 🙂
David @ Spiced
October 3, 2016 at 5:30 amI love making my own apple pie filling, but I’ve never canned it before! Thanks for the tips…and thanks for linking to the Clear Gel. I’ve never heard of that one, but I’ll have to check it out. (I’m not a fan of using gelatin as a thickener.) Looks delicious…and I foresee many apple pies in your future, Dawn!
Kathy
October 4, 2016 at 5:10 amIt was a first for me….I will definitely be making it again!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
October 3, 2016 at 4:39 amWhy have I never thought of this?! Genius idea Kathy! Perfect to use up all those apples I’ve been hoarding!
Kathy
October 3, 2016 at 4:50 amFresh apples can only last so long….making pie filling lets you enjoy them a little longer. Enjoy!
Megan - The Emotional Baker
October 3, 2016 at 4:33 amI haven’t canned anything before, but apple pie filling seems like the perfect place to start 😉 I love apple pie and how great to be able to enjoy it year round!
Kathy
October 3, 2016 at 4:49 amApple pie filling is the perfect place to start! Happy Canning!
Kushi
October 2, 2016 at 8:41 pmWOW! This looks amazingly delicious!
Kathy
October 3, 2016 at 4:46 amI can’t wait to enjoy it mid-winter….and late winter….and spring….and now 🙂
Maria @ kitchenathoskins
October 2, 2016 at 6:26 pmWarm, comforting and delicious!!
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 7:01 pmThanks!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
October 2, 2016 at 1:23 pmI have been making applesauce upon applesauces with the Honey Crisps that are all over our local farm market – but now I need to make me a jar full of THIS!
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 7:02 pmYou definitely want to make this apple pie filling! I need to get busy and make some applesauce! Hmmmm….maybe we should do a trade 🙂
patty
October 2, 2016 at 8:06 amWhat variety of apples do you use?
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 8:42 amHi Patty,
We get ours from an old apple tree and the variety is unknown. However, any firm, crisp apple will do. Avoid transparent variety apples. They are great for making applesauce or apple butters because they break down quickly.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
October 1, 2016 at 11:53 amSo cool, Kathy! I had never thought of making apple pie filling, ready for you when you want to make an apple pie. And we LOVE apple pies! Thanks for sharing!
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 10:37 amApple pies are the best! This pie filling makes it so much easier to have them more often.
Lori from LL Farm
October 1, 2016 at 11:33 amThis looks so good! I bet your kitchen smelled amazing when you were making it. 😉
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 10:37 amOh Yeah! The kids were going crazy with they yummy smells! They wanted to eat the pie filling straight from the pot!
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October 1, 2016 at 10:22 amThough I love so many pies…at the end of the day, apple is my favorite! Especially with a little scoop of ice cream. So this(!) is a recipe and idea I can absolutely get behind!! Love it!
Kathy
October 2, 2016 at 10:36 amA little scoop of ice cream with apple pie is the best!