Making a homemade pie filling is easier than you think and this cherry pie filling tastes so much better than the canned version!
We love to use this filling in homemade cherry pie but we also love peach pie filling and apple pie filling for more pie recipes year-round!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. There is only 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time! It’s so easy and can be made year-round with frozen cherries.
- Versatile. Not only a pie filling! Use it to make cherry pie bars, serve over homemade vanilla ice cream, swirl into a yogurt bowl and or top buttermilk pancakes.
Variations
- Warm spice: Add a bit of cinnamon for a bit of warming spice. This is especially great when making it around the holidays.
- Extract: A bit of almond extract or vanilla extract can be added for extra flavor.
- Type of sugar: Replace the refined sugar with honey or maple syrup if preferred.
How to Make Cherry Pie Filling
In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water then combine cherry, sugar, lemon juice and slurry in a saucepan over medium heat.
Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low, stirring frequently. Simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Use immediately or chill.
Ways to Use Cherry Pie Filling
- Make a homemade cherry pie from scratch using my recipe for an easy homemade pie crust or all butter pie crust. Get fancy and try a lattice pie crust.
- Cherry crisp with pie filling and crumble topping or streusel topping.
- As a topping for a creamy no-bake cheesecake, cherry cheesecake dip or this mini cheesecake recipe.
- Instead of canned pie filling in an easy dump cake.
- Top fruit tart or fruit pizza.
Storing
Keep stored in an airtight container or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to 3 days in the fridge.
It thickens as it cools, and even more so when it’s cold. To loosen it up again, heat it in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between or on the stovetop until smooth once again.
Need even more ways to use the pie filling? Try it layered between chocolate cake or as a filling for chocolate cupcakes.
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Cherry Pie Filling
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- 5 cups cherries , pitted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch slurry.
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Stirring frequently, simmer 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and cherries have softened.
- Cool to room temperature then chill until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Dairy-Free, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Gluten-Free, Pies + Tarts, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Served this over homemade cheesecake, and we were in heaven! So much better than the stuff from a can; I love that it’s actually loaded with cherries. :)
So yummy and easy! I used this as a topping for ice cream and crumbled graham crackers on top and I think I may have just found my new favorite dessert!
This cherry pie filling is amazing! So glad that you loved it too!
This is so perfect for almost anything!! My family really loved it!