Tart Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is so much better than storebought and can be used in so many ways! We use it top ice cream, in cherry crisp, to fill cakes, on top of cheesecake, on pancakes, waffles, and so much more!
Servings: 4 -5 cups of filling
Calories: 235kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups pitted tart cherries
- 1 cup granulated sugar*
- 4 Tablespoons cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup water or reserved cherry juice from bottled cherries
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
If using fresh or frozen cherries
- Combine cherries (at least partially thawed and drained if previously frozen), sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large pot. Stir to evenly distribute the sugar and cornstarch.
- Add the water or reserved cherry juice and lemon juice, then place over medium heat. Cook and stir frequently until this comes to a boil. Continue to cook and stir until the cherries have softened and the liquid has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla, almond extract, and red food coloring, if using. Cool completely. Store in jars in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
If using bottled or canned cherries
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in large pot and whisk well. Add the reserved cherry juice or water and lemon juice.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cooking and stirring until thick and bubbly. This will turn into an opaque gel after about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and red food coloring if using. Cool completely. Store in jars in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Notes
- Cherries: You can use fresh, frozen, bottled, or canned cherries for this recipe.
- *Sweet Cherries: If using sweet cherries (either fresh or frozen), reduce the sugar to ½ cup.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg