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The Best Quick & Easy Stovetop Apple Pie Filling

Close-up of warm, glistening apple pie filling slices coated in a rich, cinnamon-brown glaze on a white plate.
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Make this foolproof homemade apple pie filling on the stovetop in under 20 minutes. This recipe creates a thick, perfectly spiced sauce that prevents watery pies and works well for crisps or as a topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk the dry ingredients together well.
  2. Add the sliced apples and lemon juice to the saucepan. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly with the sugar and spice mixture.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens significantly and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes more. The apples should be tender-crisp.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of butter until it melts completely into the filling.
  6. Let the apple pie filling cool completely before using it in your pie crust or dessert. This cooling step is key to preventing a runny filling.

Notes

  • For a sweeter filling, increase the brown sugar to 1 cup.
  • If you skip the cornstarch, your filling will be much thinner, suitable for topping pancakes or oatmeal.
  • This filling is excellent made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor balance.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/apple-pie-filling-best-quick-easy-stovetop/