Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is so easy and delicious and bursting with cherry flavor, you will wonder why you didn’t make it before!
There really and truly isn’t a comparison with Homemade Cherry Pie Filling and what comes out of a can.
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is literally bursting with cherry flavor. It’s so easy and delicious and so much better then store bought, you will want to never buy premade again! The results are just sweet enough to satisfy with a smidge of tart, but overwhelming cherry flavor. A hint of vanilla and almond really enhance the cherries.
What I don’t care for? That mouth-scrunching, tin flavored tang that comes with pie filling out of a can. You know what I’m talking about.
How to fix that? Homemade Cherry Pie Filling.
And might I say, Homemade Cherry Pie Filling takes Homemade Cherry Pie and Cherry Almond Pie Bars to a new level. Like, Holy Wow!
When I started researching homemade pie filling, I couldn’t believe simple it was to make. Especially since the results are just so much better!
How to make Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Combine the ingredients together in a sauce pan, bring it to a simmer, and then cook for 5 minutes. Let the Homemade Cherry Pie Filling cool to room temperature and then it’s ready to use in your favorite recipe.
Yep. That’s it. Quick and easy and crazy delicious.
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is obviously the star in Homemade Cherry Pie, but it is also great in Cherry Cheesecake Bars, as an Ice Cream Topping, in Black Forest Cake, and any other dessert your imagination can create.
I hope you enjoyed my Homemade Cherry Pie Filling!
Try it in:
-
THE BEST CHERRY PIE RECIPE WITH HOMEMADE FILLING
-
CHERRY ALMOND PIE BARS
-
CHERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE WITH GRAHAM CRUST
If you’ve tried this any other recipe on this website, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it came out in the comments below. I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Share a photo of your creation on my Facebook page, Instagram or save it to Pinterest and tag #SAVORWITHJENNIFER. I can’t wait to see your work!
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen sweet cherries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Stir together all in ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over a medium-low heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature and use in your favorite recipe.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Mother, Gardener, Book Devourer, and Food Obsessor. I love being inspired with fresh, seasonal ingredients and relish every opportunity to elevate my home cooking. Join me!
Stephanie
Just what I was looking for!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Jennifer Grissom
Great! Come back and let me know how it turns out for you!
Lilia Woods
I’m am going to start out by saying I normally don’t post comments… But this pin is worth commenting.
This filling was amazing! 100%!! My husband is a harsh critic when it comes to desserts and boy did he love this .. I used it for cheesecake topping and he wants a pie!!! So I will be making a pie!!!
It took me way longer than 15 min cause it took forever for the fresh cherries to come to a sjmmer. But it was well worth it!! I love this!!
Jennifer Grissom
You are so sweet! Thanks for letting me know, Lilia, and enjoy your pie!
Angela
What’s the best way to preserve this? Can or freeze?
Jennifer Grissom
Hi Angela. I have not tried to freeze or can it. To me, I would think either method should work. It’s possible freezing might make it watery? If you try either, let me know so I can do the same!
Kristen
Unfortunately you can’t safely can cornstarch so I canned my cherries and then am making the filling after. You are able to substitute cornstarch with clear gel and safely can that. But the recipe may need to be adjusted for acidity to safely can.
Jennifer Grissom
Thanks for the information. I do sometimes make it a couple days in advance, but I haven’t tried canning it.
Sharon
How many cups will be made? I’m going to use them for cherry bars then make a pie. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Jennifer Grissom
Hi Sharon, I have not measured the exact amount of cups the recipe makes, however, the amount is perfect for a 9 or 10″ pie. I have used the filling for cherry cheesecake bars successfully using anywhere from half to the full batch.
Joanne
Just finished making my first batch of cherries and I am very delighted…will pik more tomorrow and freeze so so good and as you said I will never buy canned cherrie filling again…there is no comparison in the taste. Thanks for the recipe Joanne?
Jennifer Grissom
I’m so happy you are enjoying the pie filling. Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Joanne!
Ivan
Can i use canned cherries? I cant find frozeen cherries in my country 🙁
Jennifer Grissom
Hi Ivan. I have not tried it with canned cherries. The cherry tends to be softer in texture after being canned and maybe looses a little flavor. If you have fresh, that would definitely be better, but if you try canned, I would drain them and not simmer as long when you make the filling so they keep their shape. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Erin
Hi! How far in advance can I make this??
Jennifer Grissom
I have made it 4-5 days in advance, refrigerated the pie filling, and then made my pies. It will take slightly longer to bake of the pie filling is chilled as opposed to room temp going into the oven.
Liz R.
Such a fantastic cherry pie filling! Easy and delicious! Right up my alley! Love it!
Jennifer Grissom
I’m so happy! Thanks for letting me know and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Brenda
I much prefer sour over sweet cherries and can only find them in the freezer section of our local grocers. Last time I made a pie with these, it was incredibly runny ruining the bottom crust. Will this recipe solve that?
Jennifer Grissom
I have not had any problems with the bottom crust being ruined/soggy. Make sure to simmer and then cool the pie filling as instructed. And using sour cherries over sweet should not affect it either. Also, cook the pie until it is truly golden brown and it should be perfect!
Megan
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Is this enough for a deep dish pie or should I 1-1/2 the recipe? Thanks!
Jennifer Grissom
Hi Megan! You should be just fine for a deep dish. Enjoy!
Delisa
Perfect! I have never been able to successfully make a cheery pie that didn’t run taste weird. So glad I found your recipe. Thank you!
Jennifer Grissom
Glad you loved it! Thanks Delisa!
Mary
I have frozen tart cherries. Is an additional 1/4 cup of sugar enough to sweeten them?
Jennifer Grissom
Hi Mary, I would use 2 Tablespoons additional sugar.
Cam
What a great filling! Definitely use tart cherries over sweet or it would be way too sweet. Easy to make and to die for taste if you love cherry desserts like me!
Kellie
I haven’t tried this yet. I am wondering do you thaw the cherries first before adding them to the saucepan?
Jennifer Grissom
No, they can be started in the saucepan frozen.
Jack Hadley
I find sweet cherries to be sweet enough without adding sugar, and prefer a bit of tartness in my mouth. If I make this without sugar, will it still hold together well and have the same texture?
Jennifer Grissom
I have not tried it that way, but would not recommend it. The sugar is part of what creates the correct pie filling texture. Maybe substitute tart cherries if you prefer it less sweet. Although, this filling does not come over overly sweet in my opinion.
Donna
Thanks Jennifer! Was looking for one that added some extract and that was really simple so I can make my favorite pie for Christmas.
Lynne G.
I have a guest that is allergic to almond, is there something I can substitute for it or leave it out altogether?
Jennifer Grissom
I would probably leave it out all together. Alternatively, your could try a tablespoon of Frangelico or Disaronno (hazelnut and almond liquors believed to be safe for those with nut allergies, but I’m not a dietitian.) if you already have it on hand. Personally, I wouldn’t make an extra effort for it though.
Carmen
This is the best pie filling. Can it be freezed to use at a latter date? Cherries are only in season for a short time in south Texas so I would love to be able to make a batch of filling to have a pie later on in the summer.. This taste wonderful with fresh cherries.
Jennifer Grissom
I have never frozen the filling, but I don’t see why not. If you do, please let me know! Another option would be just to freeze the cherries and make the filling when you need it.
Deb
Absolutely my favorite. Will be makingagain
Jennifer Grissom
love hearing that!
Kohl
My dads favorite is cherry pie and this is his favorite recipe! Thank you so much!
Jennifer Grissom
I’m so happy he loves it!
Bikercj
I’m making a black forest cake and needed cherry filling for the middle. (I can’t remember what I did last time) Most of the recipes I found were cooked during baking or huge recipes for canning. I would never use canned. My biggest problem with store bought canned filling of any fruit is the lack of fruit. Open a can some time. You might find a dozen cherries in a big can of sugar sauce. Not worth a dime in my opinion. Thank you for this.