Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Jun 02, 2025
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Whip up your own Homemade Cherry Pie Filling in just a few quick minutes. Once you try homemade cherry pie filling in your desserts, you will never accept the canned stuff again.
If you enjoy fresh sweet cherries, we can’t wait to share this recipe with you! Making homemade cherry pie filling is so quick and easy, not to mention you can adjust the flavors for your family.
Be sure to check out our How To Freeze Cherries post as it’s full of useful information!
Why You’ll Love Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
- Freshness and flavor: Using fresh cherries elevates the taste, making it more vibrant than any canned alternative.
- Control over ingredients: You can adjust the sugar level, omit preservatives, and add your own spices, tailoring the filling to your preferences.
- Versatility: Homemade cherry pie filling can be used in more than just pies; it’s perfect for cherry Danish, topping pancakes, filling pastries, or even swirling into yogurt.
- Seasonal enjoyment: Making your filling allows you to take full advantage of cherry season, preserving the taste of summer for year-round enjoyment.
Ingredients
- Sweet fresh cherries pitted
- Corn starch
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
How to Make Cherry Pie Filing
After pitting the cherries, if you choose to, you can cut them in half. Pit 2 cups of fresh cherries. I recommend using a cherry pitter to make this step a lot faster!
Combine the cherries with corn starch, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Allow to come to a light boil, remove from heat and allow to thicken.
If you are not using this cherry pie filling immediately, allow to come to room temperature before placing it in an air-tight container or mason jar. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or until you’re ready to use!
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cherry Pie Filling
- Quality Matters: Choose ripe, plump cherries for the best flavor. If cherries are not in season, frozen cherries can be a good alternative but make sure to thaw them properly and drain any excess liquid to maintain the filling’s consistency.
- Sweetness Balance: Depending on the natural sweetness of your cherries, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar. Start with less sugar, taste, and then add more if needed. Remember, you can always add more but you can’t remove it once it’s mixed in.
- Thickening Agent: While the recipe calls for corn starch, you can experiment with other thickening agents like tapioca starch or agar-agar for different textures or dietary preferences.
- Stir Gently: When combining the cherries with the sugar and cornstarch mixture, stir them gently to ensure the fruit integrity is maintained, giving you a chunky and luscious filling.
- Cooling Time: Allowing the filling to cool is crucial as it thickens upon cooling. If you’re in a rush, spread the filling on a wide dish at room temperature to cool it faster before use.
- Using a cherry pitter is the faster way to pit cherries.
Variations of Cherry Pie Filling
- Spice it Up: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for an added depth of flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Grate some lemon zest and add it to the mixture for a bright and refreshing twist.
- Boozy Cherries: Add your favorite liquor like bourbon, amaretto or rum to the filling for a boozy twist. Just make sure to reduce the amount of liquid in the filling.
- Fruit Combinations: Mix cherries with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for a delicious and colorful mixed berry pie.
- Savory Pies: Cherries can also be used in savory pies by adding in ingredients like balsamic vinegar, onions and herbs.
- Vegan Options: For a vegan cherry pie filling, use agave nectar or maple syrup instead of sugar and cornstarch as a thickener.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen cherries for the pie filling?
A: Yes, you can use frozen cherries for the pie filling. Just make sure to thaw them completely before using and drain any excess liquid.
Q: How long will cherry pie filling last in the fridge?
A: Cherry pie filling will last in the fridge for up to a week when stored in an airtight container.
Q: Can I freeze cherry pie filling?
A: Yes, you can freeze cherry pie filling for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cherries pitted
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Start by washing the cherries.
- Next, pit the cherries. We recommend using a cherry piter as it’ll make the process go so much faster!
- After pitting the cherries, if you choose to, you can cut them in half. Pit 2 cups of fresh cherries.
- In a saucepan, combine the cherries with corn starch, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Allow to come to a light boil, remove from heat and allow to thicken.
- If you are not using this cherry pie filling immediately, allow to come to room temperature before placing it in an air-tight container or mason jar. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or until you’re ready to use!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
