Homestyle Spiced Apple Pie Filling
Embrace the flavors of autumn with this delightful Homestyle Spiced Apple Pie Filling! Perfectly crafted to capture the essence of fresh tart apples, this recipe is a must-have for the fall season. When apple season arrives, take advantage of this simple yet flavorful filling that's not only ideal for quick Thanksgiving and Christmas pies, but also makes a delicious topping for cobblers or warmed up over vanilla ice cream. With easy canning instructions, you can stock up on this sweet, spiced goodness or freeze it for later use. Just remember: when baking an apple pie, start at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 325°F for an additional 40 minutes – as these apples are pre-cooked to perfection!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
apples
6 lbs (peeled, cored, and sliced)
sugar
4.5 cups
cinnamon
1 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
cornstarch
1 cup
salt
1 teaspoon
water
10 cups
lemon juice
3 tablespoons
yellow food coloring
3 drops
Instructions
1
Start by sterilizing six quart-sized jars for canning: wash them thoroughly with soap and water, then place them in the oven at 215°F for a minimum of 15 minutes. Keep them in the oven until you're ready to use.
2
Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/2-inch thick slices to ensure even cooking.
3
In a large pot, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and salt.
4
Pour in the water, and heat on high, stirring frequently at first until it begins to boil. Once boiling, continue to stir constantly for about one minute or until the mixture thickens nicely.
5
Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and yellow food coloring for a vibrant touch.
6
Pack the sliced apples into the sterilized jars, filling them just to the bottom rung of the mouth of each jar. Use a wooden spoon to gently press the apples down to ensure they're well-packed, but DO NOT overfill! Overfilling may cause the jars to explode during processing, and trust me, that’s an experience you want to avoid!
7
Process the jars in a hot water bath for 20 minutes. If you prefer, you can also freeze the filling using your preferred method.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homestyle Spiced Apple Pie Filling?
It is a homemade fruit filling made with tart apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, designed for canning or freezing for use in pies and desserts.
What type of apples should I use for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using fresh tart apples to best capture the flavors of the autumn season.
How many jars do I need to prepare?
You should prepare and sterilize six quart-sized jars for this recipe.
How do I sterilize the canning jars?
Wash the jars with soap and water, then place them in an oven at 215°F for at least 15 minutes.
How should the apples be sliced?
Apples should be peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch thick slices to ensure even cooking.
What ingredients are in the spiced syrup?
The syrup consists of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, salt, and water.
How long should I boil the syrup mixture?
Once the mixture begins to boil, stir it constantly for about one minute or until it thickens.
When should I add the lemon juice?
Stir in the lemon juice after you have removed the thickened syrup from the heat.
Is food coloring necessary for the recipe?
It is optional, but adding three drops of yellow food coloring provides a vibrant visual touch to the filling.
How do I properly pack the apples into the jars?
Pack the sliced apples into sterilized jars up to the bottom rung of the mouth, pressing down gently with a wooden spoon.
What is the danger of overfilling the canning jars?
Overfilling the jars may cause them to explode during the processing stage.
How long do I process the jars in a water bath?
The jars should be processed in a hot water bath for 20 minutes.
Can I freeze this apple pie filling?
Yes, if you prefer not to can the filling, you can freeze it using your preferred freezing method.
How do I bake a pie using this pre-cooked filling?
Bake the pie at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F for an additional 40 minutes.
Why is the baking temperature reduced for the pie?
Because the apples are already pre-cooked in this filling, the lower temperature prevents overcooking while finishing the crust.
How many pounds of apples are required?
This recipe requires 6 lbs of apples.
How much sugar is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 4.5 cups of sugar.
What acts as the thickening agent in this recipe?
One cup of cornstarch is used to thicken the apple pie filling syrup.
How much water is needed for the syrup?
You will need 10 cups of water for the syrup base.
What spices provide the flavor in this filling?
The filling is spiced with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
Can I use this filling for recipes other than pie?
Yes, it makes an excellent topping for cobblers or can be served warmed over vanilla ice cream.
Is this filling suitable for holiday baking?
Absolutely, it is ideal for quick Thanksgiving and Christmas desserts.
What is the purpose of the lemon juice?
Lemon juice adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and helps preserve the color of the apples.
Do I need to keep the jars in the oven until use?
Yes, keep the sterilized jars in the oven at 215°F until you are ready to pack them with apples.
What tools should I use to pack the apples?
A wooden spoon is recommended for gently pressing the apples down into the jars.
Is salt included in the recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is included in the syrup mixture.
How many drops of food coloring are suggested?
The recipe suggests using 3 drops of yellow food coloring.
Is this considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is described as a simple yet flavorful filling that is easy to prepare and stock up on.
Should the apples be peeled?
Yes, the apples should be peeled and cored before slicing.
What is the total processing time for the jars?
The jars require 20 minutes in a hot water bath.