Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Who doesn’t love the comforting embrace of a warm apple pie? Especially when it’s seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and all those cozy spices. They make your whole kitchen smell like home. The moment that sweet, spiced aroma begins drifting through the air, it stops you in your tracks. It carries memories—cherished ones—of family gatherings, bustling holiday celebrations, and quiet evenings spent around a table with people you love. There’s something timeless about it, something that feels both familiar and magical.
This recipe for apple pie filling captures all of that comfort in the simplest, most satisfying way. It’s incredibly easy to make, yet it delivers the rich, deep flavors you expect from a truly homemade, all-American dessert. You can spoon this filling into a flaky crust. Alternatively, save it for a future baking day. This filling lets you enjoy those classic flavors in every single delectable bite. Pulling a pie out of the oven is an occasion all on its own. The glossy, tender apples bubble beneath a golden crust.
And the best part? You can use it whenever inspiration strikes. Make a pie fresh for a Sunday afternoon treat, or preserve a batch to enjoy later in the year. Imagine baking it on a crisp autumn evening. The leaves are turning. Or serve it during a festive holiday gathering when loved ones fill your home with laughter. No matter when you make it, this pie does more than satisfy a sweet tooth. It invites connection, creates memories, and brings a sense of warmth to any table. It’s a true staple in every home—one that never goes out of style.
Home canning can be a daunting task, but this recipe is not so. I do it in a water bath canner, not a pressure canner, which can set your mind at ease. A few hours of hard work now will make it a joy when you bake your pies. You can also prep your ingredients the day before to save time for processing day.
Canning Equipment
Are you new to canning? Or do you need more materials? You can get everything you need to can your fresh garden-grown tomatoes all right here and through Amazon.
Please note that I don’t give complete directions for water bath canning. If you are a newbie water bath canner or presser canner, please learn the proper methods. Here is a list of reputable places to learn how to can:
- Take a class with your local Extension Cooperative
- Check out more written instruction on Ball’s Mason Jar’s website, FreshPreserving and at the National Center for Home Food Preservation
- There are also several books and bloggers that are great teaching tools.
Cost to make this recipe.
I calculated the cost of this canning recipe at about $10 or $2.49 per quart, which one quart typically fills up a pie crust.
As a homesteader, there are substantial savings by growing the apples yourself. It is typically why I can apple pie filling in the first place. This amount of apples can cost close to $10 itself. My homesteader’s cost is closer to $3.50 or $0.88 per quart.
Similar recipes for water bath can
Recipe adapted
This canning recipe was taken from Ball’s Fresh Preserving online website. All images and text are all my own and original to Vintage Mountain Homestead. Click here for more information about our home food preservation disclaimer.
Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 5 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, 12 cups…[$6.45]
- 2¾ cup white granulated sugar, …[$0.80]
- ¾ cup Clear Jel, …[$1.03]
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, …[$0.04]
- 1 tsp. Apple pie spice, …[$0.37]
- 2½ cups apple juice, bottled…[$0.95]
- 1¼ cups cold water, …[$0]
- ½ cup lemon juice, bottled…[$0.31]
Instructions
- Sterilize canning jars and lids. Prepare boiling water canner. Keep jars heated and warm until ready for use.
- Blanch apple slices, working with 6 cups at a time, in a large pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm in a covered bowl.
- In a large stockpot, combine sugar, ClearJel®, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in apple juice and cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
- Add lemon juice, return to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Drain apple slices and immediately fold into hot mixture.
- Spoon hot apple pie filling into hot jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
- Process jars in a boiling water canner for 25 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.
- Label jars and store in an area with constant temperature.
Apple Pie Filling
Cooking Methods
- Water Bath Canner
- Mason Jars, Lids, and Rings
Ingredients
- 5 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, 12 cups…[$6.45]
- 2¾ cup white granulated sugar, …[$0.80]
- ¾ cup Clear Jel, …[$1.03]
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, …[$0.04]
- 1 tsp. Apple pie spice, …[$0.37]
- 2½ cups apple juice, bottled…[$0.95]
- 1¼ cups cold water, …[$0]
- ½ cup lemon juice, bottled…[$0.31]
Instructions
- Sterilize canning jars and lids. Prepare boiling water canner. Keep jars heated and warm until ready for use.
- Blanch 5 lbs. apples sliced, working with 6 cups at a time, in a large pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm in a covered bowl.
- In a large stockpot, combine 2¾ cup white granulated sugar, ¾ cup Clear Jel, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon and 1 tsp. Apple pie spice. Stir in 2½ cups apple juice and 1¼ cups cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
- Add ½ cup lemon juice, return to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Drain apple slices and immediately fold into hot mixture.
- Spoon hot apple pie filling into hot jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
- Process jars in a boiling water canner for 25 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.
- Label jars and store in an area with constant temperature.
Love this, perfect flavor and consistenKcy!! thank you, for sharing your goodness !