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Foolproof Thick & Juicy Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

A close-up of a generous mound of glistening, deep red cherry pie filling served on a small white plate.
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Make the best thick and juicy cherry pie filling from scratch using fresh or frozen cherries. This easy recipe guarantees a no-run filling perfect for pies, cheesecakes, or dessert topping.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups fresh or frozen sweet or tart cherries, pitted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. If using frozen cherries, do not thaw them first. If using fresh cherries, pit them.
  2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until fully combined.
  3. Stir in the water until the mixture is smooth.
  4. Add the cherries to the saucepan.
  5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil and thickens significantly. This step is key for a no-run cherry pie filling.
  6. Once boiling, continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. The filling should coat the back of a spoon heavily.
  7. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  8. Stir in the lemon juice, almond extract, and salt.
  9. Let the homemade cherry pie filling cool completely before using it in your pie crust or dessert. Cooling allows the filling to set to the desired thickness.
  10. Store cooled filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

  • For a sweeter filling, increase the sugar by 1/4 cup. For a more tart flavor, use tart cherries and reduce the sugar slightly.
  • This recipe works well for a standard 9-inch pie. Double the recipe for deep-dish pies.
  • If you prefer a bakery style cherry filling, use only 1/3 cup of cornstarch and ensure you cook the mixture until it is very thick before removing it from the heat.
  • This versatile cherry dessert topping is excellent over waffles or ice cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/cherry-pie-filling-recipe-thick-juicy/