Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

5 from 1 vote

Homemade cherry pie filling is easy to make using sweet and juicy fresh cherries and simple everyday ingredients.

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Basics, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to make pie filling

Servings: servings

Calories: 200kcal

Pit fresh cherries, discarding the pits and adding the cherries to a large saucepan.

To the saucepan with the cherries, add water, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch.
Stir to combine, then heat over MED HIGH heat until mixture comes to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to MED LOW and simmer for 9-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You'll know the filling is done simmering when the liquid in the saucepan is no longer cloudy and pink, but it deep red, and the mixture has thickened.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in almond extract (if using).

Set aside to cool to room temperature, then use in a recipe, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Pie filling can also be frozen for 3 months.

Recipe makes approximately 6 cups or so of pie filling, which you're free to divide into as many servings as you'd like.
For the 6 cups of cherries required, you should need about 2 lbs. of fresh cherries.
Frozen pitted cherries can be used in place of fresh cherries. Use an equal amount, but there's no need to thaw them before making this recipe.