The BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe
This is a simple and delicious cherry pie filling recipe made from fresh cherries cooked with sugar, lemon juice, and thickened with cornstarch to create a glossy, flavorful filling perfect for pies, tarts, or desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup (240 ml) of cherry filling 1x
- Category: Dessert Filling
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 200 g Cherries, pitted
- 50 g White sugar
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 120 ml Water (divided)
- ¼ tsp Salt (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Pit the cherries carefully and collect any juices released during the pitting process. Set aside for cooking.
- Cook: In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, white sugar, lemon juice, and ¼ cup (60 ml) of the water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Mash a few cherries gently with the back of a spoon to add texture to the filling.
- Thicken: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 60 ml of water with the cornstarch until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the saucepan while stirring continuously. Reduce heat to low and cook the filling until it thickens and becomes glossy, making sure it coats the back of a spoon, which usually takes a few minutes. Add salt if using and stir to combine.
- Cool: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the filling to cool. It will thicken further as it cools. Transfer the filling into a clean mason jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer preservation.
Notes
- Fresh cherries work best, but frozen cherries can be used if thawed and drained.
- Adjust the sugar quantity based on the sweetness of your cherries or personal preference.
- If you want a smoother filling, mash more cherries or use an immersion blender briefly after cooking.
- This filling is great for pies, cheesecakes, or as a topping for ice cream and yogurt.
- Make sure to stir constantly when adding cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps.
Keywords: cherry pie filling, fresh cherry filling, homemade pie filling, fruit dessert filling, cherry sauce
