The Best Apple Pie Filling Recipe for Canning

Apple pie is one of the fall time’s greatest desserts. We all love it, but it takes a bit of time to make. What if you could have apple pie filling on hand to make those delicious fall desserts whenever you wanted? This apple pie filling recipe for canning will make that possible for you!

It’s officially fall and everything and everyone is screaming pumpkins and latte’s. I’m over here thinking about about pie and that Thanksgiving dinner that isn’t too far off. Call me crazy but the classic aroma and taste of apple pie never gets old.

Apple pie has been one of my favorite dishes of fall festivities since I was a child. My mom would always make it for family gatherings and I remember always getting into the pie before it was served. Growing up it was always fun to be able to help lattice the pie crust and sprinkle that sugar on top.

Apple Picking Season is Here!!

Here in Missouri, we have apple and other fruit orchards all over the place. Finding an apple orchard to pick fresh apples from isn’t hard to do, but it can get pricey.

Apples are currently selling for $1.79/lb at my local grocery store. Picking your own apples at an orchard gives you an experience but can also be a bit more expensive. You definetly get an experience with that price tag, though.

We happened to be lucky enough to have a really nice neighbor give us about 100 lbs of apples this year. Our family had been out for a walk and noticed her apple trees. I decided to ring the doorbell and ask her about the variety of her trees (because they looked so good). She said “take all you want, otherwise the squirrels will eat them”. Of course we happily accepted.

We processed all of the apples from my neighbors tree and turned them into so many different recipes. This apple pie filling is a keeper, for sure!

For some other great ways to use an abundance of apples you can also try:

Homemade Applesauce from Scratch

Homemade Apple Scrap Vinegar

Lets make apple pie filling for canning…

Before you start, you need to collect a few items.

• 4 cups white sugar
• 1 cup cornstarch or Sure gel
• 1 1/4 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp salt
• 10 cups filtered water
• 3 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 6 lbs apples peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • An apple peeler like this is perfect for this part.

Instructions:

1. Using a large pan over medium heat, combine your sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg
2. Add 5 cups water to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Be sure to stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved
3. In a stockpot, whisk together the other 5 cups of water with your cornstarch. (or follow the Sure gel package instructions for 6 cups of prepared fruit) Make sure to mix thoroughly
4. Combine the cornstarch (or Sure gel) with the other mixture by pouring the cornstarch into the stockpot.
5. Heat and stir until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble
6. Remove from heat and add lemon juice

Now it’s time to can it!

1. Fill and press the apples about half way full in the jars
2. Use a ladle to pour the syrup mixture over the apples. Make sure to leave an inch of headspace at the top
3. Remove air bubbles from the sides
4. Wipe the rim of your jar with a clean cloth to be sure of debris
5. Secure your lids and bands finger tight
6. Using a water bath canner, Place your jars in your canner with 1 inch of water above the jars
7. Bring the water to a boil. Once at a rolling boil, leave jars submerged for 25 minutes
8. Remove the jars from the canner and place them on a dry towel. They’ll begin to seal as they cool. Do not remove the bands for 24 hours
9. Label your jars with contents and date. Store in a safe place making sure to always recheck your seals from time to time.

Is apple pie filling only good for apple pie?

Basically, when I preserve foods like apple pie filling, I can’t help but think of all the ways we can use them. Apple pie filling can be a great staple to have on hand for so many recipes. Here are some to give you some inspiration…

• Apple turnovers
• Apple hand pies
• Apple fritters
• Apple dump cake
• Apple pie cheesecake
• Apple betty
• Apple crisp

Yield: 7 quarts

Apple Pie Filling Recipe for Canning

Print

The best apple pie filling for canning. Perfect to use in so many different dishes, not just apple pie!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups white sugar
• 1 cup cornstarch or Sure gel
• 1 1/4 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp salt
• 10 cups filtered water
• 3 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 6 lbs apples peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick

Instructions

Using a large pan over medium heat, combine your sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutme

Add 5 cups water to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Be sure to stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved

In a stockpot, whisk together the other 5 cups of water with your cornstarch. (or follow the Sure gel package instructions for 6 cups of prepared fruit) Make sure to mix thoroughly

Combine the cornstarch (or Sure gel) with the other mixture by pouring the cornstarch into the stockpot.

Heat and stir until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble

Remove from heat and add lemon juice

For Canning:

Fill and press the apples about half way full in the jars

Use a ladle to pour the syrup mixture over the apples. Make sure to leave an inch of headspace at the top

Remove air bubbles from the sides

Wipe the rim of your jar with a clean cloth to be sure of debris

Secure your lids and bands finger tight

Using a water bath canner, Place your jars in your canner with 1 inch of water above the jars

Bring the water to a boil. Once at a rolling boil, leave jars submerged for 25 minutes

Remove the jars from the canner and place them on a dry towel. They'll begin to seal as they cool. Do not remove the bands for 24 hours

Label your jars with contents and date. Store in a safe place making sure to always recheck your seals from time to time.

Be sure to tell me how you like this one in the comments below. Enjoy!