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Foolproof Thick & Juicy Homemade Cherry Pie Filling (From Scratch)

Close-up of glossy, deep red homemade cherry pie filling overflowing slightly in a small white bowl.
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Make the best thick cherry pie filling from scratch using fresh or frozen cherries. This easy recipe yields a juicy, bakery-style topping perfect for pies, cheesecakes, or waffles.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups fresh or frozen sweet or sour cherries, pitted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. If using frozen cherries, do not thaw them first. Place the cherries and water in a medium saucepan.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until no lumps remain. This prevents clumps in your filling.
  3. Pour the sugar and cornstarch mixture over the cherries and water in the saucepan. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken significantly. This usually takes 5 to 8 minutes.
  5. Once the cherry pie filling is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat.
  6. Stir in the lemon juice, almond extract (if using), and salt.
  7. Transfer the homemade cherry filling to a heatproof bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming while it cools.
  8. Allow the filling to cool to room temperature, then chill completely in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using it in your pie or dessert.

Notes

  • For a bakery-style cherry filling, use sweet cherries and increase the sugar slightly. For a tart flavor, use sour cherries.
  • If you want an extra thick cherry pie filling, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the hot mixture during the last minute of cooking.
  • This filling works perfectly as a cherry dessert topping for ice cream or waffles.

Nutrition

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