Description
Make a thick, sweet, and tart cherry pie filling from scratch using fresh or frozen cherries. This recipe yields a perfect texture for pies and other desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups sweet cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- If using frozen cherries, do not thaw them first. Place cherries and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until fully combined.
- Slowly whisk the sugar and cornstarch mixture into the simmering cherries and water.
- Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens significantly, about 5 to 8 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, almond extract, and salt.
- Allow the filling to cool completely before using it in your pie or dessert. Cooling helps the filling set to its final thick consistency.
Notes
- For a tarter flavor, substitute half of the sweet cherries with sour cherries.
- If you prefer a brighter red color, add 1-2 drops of red food coloring when adding the extracts.
- This filling can be canned for long-term storage using a standard water bath canning method for pie fillings.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dessert Component
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 61
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 0.5
- Cholesterol: 0