Stovetop Apple Filling (Homemade Apple Pie Filling)
Tender diced apples cooked in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then thickened into a glossy syrup for pie, cake, donuts, or pancakes.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, or a tart and sweet mix)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg optional
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water (or apple cider for a stronger apple flavor)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (skip for a loose topping)
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, even cubes or slices.4 medium apples
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to coat.1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, 3 tbsp butter, 1/8 tsp salt
- Add 2 tablespoons of the water. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are soft but still hold their shape.1/4 cup water
- Whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Stir it in right away and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until thick and glossy.1 tbsp cornstarch
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool before using, since the filling keeps thickening as it cools.2 tsp vanilla extract
Notes
Texture guide: Thick (with cornstarch) for pie, hand pies, stuffed donuts, and cake layers. Loose (skip the cornstarch) for yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, and ice cream.
Don't judge it hot: the filling firms up as it cools. Cool it completely before it goes into any crust or pastry.
Storage: Airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to a couple of months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
Don't judge it hot: the filling firms up as it cools. Cool it completely before it goes into any crust or pastry.
Storage: Airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to a couple of months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
Nutrition
Calories: 143Calories | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.2mg
