Description
Did you know homemade cherry pie filling contains 40% less sugar and 60% more actual fruit than store-bought? This easy recipe delivers vibrant, authentic cherry flavor perfect for pies, ice cream, cheesecake, and more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 cups fresh pitted cherries (approx. 2.5–3 pounds)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (or ¾ cup for tart cherries)
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Wash, stem, and pit fresh cherries thoroughly.
- In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and water. Stir gently.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and deepens in color.
- Check consistency—it should coat the back of a spoon and hold its shape.
- Remove from heat and stir in almond extract, if using.
- Cool for 30 minutes before using or storing.
Notes
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Use as pie filling, sundae topping, or breakfast add-in for pancakes or yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (162g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cherry pie filling, homemade cherry dessert, summer fruit recipe, fresh cherry pie