Rustic Apple Pie Filling, Simple Spiced Apples (Print Version)
Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling recipe! Create your own perfectly spiced, sweet apple filling for pies, crumbles, or a quick dessert. So simple & delicious!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Apple Core
01 -
6 medium apples (about 2.5 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
→ Sweetness & Thickener
02 -
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
03 -
1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
→ Flavor Enhancers
04 -
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 -
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 -
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, first things first, get those apples peeled, cored, and sliced. I usually go for about 1/4-inch slices, not too thin that they turn to mush, but not so thick that they’re chunky. This is where I always make a mess, apple peels everywhere! Honestly, it's therapeutic, though. You want them somewhat uniform so they cook evenly. Don’t worry if a few are a bit wonky; that’s character, right?
02 -
In a big bowl, whisk together your granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give it a good mix so everything is evenly distributed. This is a crucial step for getting that perfectly thickened, spiced syrup. I once dumped it all in without mixing and ended up with pockets of raw flour in my pie, oops! Learn from my mistakes, friend, a little whisking goes a long way. Use contractions and casual language...
03 -
Now, toss your sliced apples with the lemon juice first; this helps prevent browning and adds that lovely tang. Then, sprinkle the dry ingredient mix over the apples and toss until every slice is coated. This step smells incredible already, that mix of fresh apple and warm spice! Make sure they're all covered, no naked apples here. It might feel like a lot of powder at first, but it'll melt into a beautiful syrup. Keep the human tone with sentence fragments and exclamations!
04 -
Melt the butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the coated apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-12 minutes. You're looking for the apples to soften slightly but still have a bit of a bite. This isn't about cooking them completely; it's about getting them tender and letting those flavors meld. I always taste a piece around this point, just to make sure the spices are hitting right. Don't let them turn to mush, that's the key mistake to avoid!
05 -
Once the apples are slightly tender, the mixture should be bubbling and thickening into a glorious, fragrant syrup. Continue to cook, stirring gently, for another 2-3 minutes, until it reaches your desired consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon. This is where the magic really happens, watching it transform! If it seems a bit thin, you can always simmer a touch longer. If it's too thick, a tiny splash of water or apple juice can help, but I rarely need to do that.
06 -
Remove the Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling from the heat and let it cool completely before using it in a pie. As it cools, it will thicken even more, creating that perfect consistency. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That's the smell of pure comfort, my friend. It should look glossy, smell wonderfully spiced, and taste like autumn in a spoonful. I sometimes just eat a spoonful right out of the pot, shhh, don't tell anyone!
# Notes:
01 -
Using a mix of sweet and tart apples creates the most balanced flavor, in my experience.
02 -
Make sure your Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling cools completely before adding to a pie crust; it prevents soggy bottoms!
03 -
If you're out of flour, cornstarch works as a thickener; use half the amount of cornstarch.
04 -
Serve warm over vanilla ice cream for an absolute dream dessert, trust me!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large skillet or pot
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
whisk
04 -
peeler
05 -
corer
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 200
Total Fat: 5g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 1g