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Homemade Cherry Pie Filling Recipe for Fresh, Luscious Pies

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is simple to make, packed with real cherry flavor, and far superior to canned filling.

glass bowl of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

There’s really no contest between homemade cherry pie filling and the canned variety.

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling delivers vibrant cherry flavor with the perfect balance of sweet and slightly tart. A touch of vanilla and almond extract deepens the flavor and makes it irresistible. Once you try this, you’ll likely stop buying premade pie filling.

That metallic, overly sweet taste that sometimes comes from store-bought pie filling is easily avoided with a small pot and fresh ingredients.

Jenifer holding a pot of homemade cherry pie filling

This filling elevates baked desserts like Homemade Cherry Pie and Cherry Almond Pie Bars, and works beautifully in cheesecakes, bars, and layered cakes.

The Best Cherry Pie Recipe with Homemade Filling

How to make Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Making this filling is quick and straightforward: combine the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook briefly until slightly thickened. Allow it to cool to room temperature before using.

That’s it — a fast, reliable method that yields far better flavor than canned filling.

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling being stirred in a sauce pan

This filling is the star ingredient in classic cherry pie recipes, but it’s also excellent as a topping for ice cream, a layer in Black Forest cake, or swirled into cheesecake. Use your imagination — it pairs well with many desserts.

glass bowl of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

I hope you enjoy this Homemade Cherry Pie Filling and the boost it gives to your favorite desserts.

Try it in:

  • THE BEST CHERRY PIE RECIPE WITH HOMEMADE FILLING

  • CHERRY ALMOND PIE BARS

  • CHERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE WITH GRAHAM CRUST

piece of Cherry Swirl Cheesecake with Graham Crust on a small white plate with cake in the background

If you try this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment to share how it turned out — I love hearing from readers.

glass bowl of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

4.89 from 9 votes

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is bursting with cherry flavor. It’s easy to make and far better than the canned version.
Course Dessert, Essential Skills
Cuisine American
Keyword Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 148kcal
Author Jennifer Grissom

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 all ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the filling thickens slightly.
  • Remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and use as desired.

Video

Notes

Frozen cherries do not need to be thawed before cooking.

If using tart (sour) cherries, add an extra 1/4 cup sugar to taste.

Fresh cherries can also be used with the same great results.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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