Add a Comment

Making Apple Pie Filling

By:   Allrecipes Staff

Apple pie can be as simple or gourmet as you want to make it.

For interesting flavor and texture, use two or more types of apples in your filling.

1. For more advice on choosing apples, see

We used eight medium Granny Smith apples and a mixture of 2/3 of a cup sugar, 1/3 of a cup all-purpose flour, and one tablespoon of cinnamon to make Emily's Famous Apple Pie filling. A pinch of salt and a dash of ground cloves enhance the cinnamon flavor. Use a peeler or paring knife to peel the apples. If you have an apple corer, use it while the apple is still whole.

2. Cut the apple in half to remove the seeds, blossom end, and stem.

    3. Use a melon baller, spoon, or paring knife to remove the seeds and hard flesh of the core. If you used an apple corer, remove any remaining bits of core with your paring knife.

      4. Cut the apples into even slices no more than ¼ of an inch thick. If you like a chunkier pie, cut the apples into ½-inch cubes. To ensure the apples bake evenly and completely, the fruit pieces should be cut to the same size.

        5. In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar-flour-spice mixture. If you're using a sweeter variety of apple, add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Transfer the filling to a pastry-lined pie plate. The flour in the mixture will mix with the juices of the apple to form a thick cinnamon sauce for the apples to stew in as they bake. This pie can also be made using frozen sliced or cubed apples.

          6. Top the pie with a crumb topping, a lattice crust, or a full crust, as desired, and bake as directed. See our Making Fancy Pie Crust Toppers article for decorative ideas.

          Related Links:

          7. For a fancier pie, try adding fruits like cranberries, cooked sliced quince, or dried cherries, or different spices and nuts in the pie filling.

          You can also make a caramel sauce using apple cider or Calvados, apple brandy, to mix with the fruit. See our Sugar Cooking article for tips.

          8. Want to Save This Article to Your Recipe Box?

          It's easy. First, copy the article's web address (Url). Then click My Recipe Box at the top right corner of this page. Click Weblink at the top of your Recipe List and paste the Url in the space provided. Then click "Continue" and follow the directions.

            Comments
            DarkGypsy 
            Sep. 2, 2009 1:14 am
            Sounds good! Thanks! Lora
             
            lee 
            Sep. 2, 2009 1:47 am
            The finished pie didn't look that attractive. Sorry!
             
            Linda 
            Sep. 7, 2009 10:48 am
            apple pie and crust i will try today and let all know how well this pie was and is:)Looking forward to my baking today new to me
             
            amyhoover51 
            Sep. 8, 2009 1:07 pm
            HI IAM JUST WONDERING HOW DO I MAKE A APPLE PIE
             
            Sep. 18, 2009 7:53 am
            Starting the pie with the crust very cold helps it to brown evenly, so I refrigerate the pie about a half hour before baking.I always add a foil strip around the edge of my crust to keep it from getting too brown.
             
            Doreen 
            Sep. 27, 2009 10:39 pm
            Can someone advise me how to make applesauce. I cannot get ready applesauce here so if you have a good recipe for applesauce would love to have it. Thank yo
             
            PatC 
            Oct. 4, 2009 10:14 am
            My pie always TASTES good but it has WAY too much juice on the bottom when I cut it, it runs all over. I use flour but obviously, not enough.
             
            sweet doll 
            Oct. 4, 2009 12:42 pm
            my pies are also runny even when I add flour. somewhere I heard adding tapioca to the apple mix will thicken the juice/filling
             
            Oct. 5, 2009 10:15 am
            you can use a food slicer to get even slices, and its quicker.
             
            Oct. 5, 2009 4:36 pm
            I have the same problem of runny apple pies. I use the flour and sometimes clear jel as well. It is worse when I use my own frozen apples. Any suggestions? They taste great, just soupy which I don't like!
             
            Bluepoint 
            Oct. 7, 2009 5:27 am
            To thicken the juices of the apples or any berrie type pie use Minute Tapioca. I have used ths for years, no after taste, thickens nicely. I used 1/3 cup of tapioca in a standard 9 inch pie, but i also had piled the apples high.
             
            debskeeter1307 
            Oct. 9, 2009 8:25 am
            Doreen, applesauce is easy,if I can do it anyone can. Wash,peel,core and cut in half or quarter. Place in a pan of water with a little lemon juice, it keeps them from turning brown. Boil apples till soft (save a little water)then puree apples in a food processor or a blender if to thick add a little saved water. Bingo Applesauce you can add sugar or any flavor you like, we use red hots.
             
            regine27 
            Oct. 13, 2009 6:51 pm
            sept,27,2009 i bake cookies for my grandfather and grandmother
             
            Kris P. 
            Oct. 14, 2009 6:44 am
            The cause for too much juice is that the sugar draws the water out of the apple slices. Instead of adding the slices to the sugar/flour mix beforehand, layer the slices in a pastry-lined pie plate and sprinkle the sugar/flour mix over it. Add another layer until all ingredients are used up. This way, the slices aren't coated with sugar and can retain more juice, preventing any soaking of the pie crust.
             
            BELLA 
            Oct. 14, 2009 9:33 pm
            WHY IS FLOUR USED IN THE APPLE MIXER.
             
            countrygirl 
            Oct. 16, 2009 1:39 pm
            Is there any way to print this recipe without all of the comments printing? There is no link to print recipe on this one like the other recipes. Thanks for the help
             
            NANA62 
            Oct. 17, 2009 10:00 am
            I have read through all recipes & tips I'm going to attemtp a pie useing an old recipe of my late mothers. Wish me luck, wanna make her proud!
             
            pete 
            Oct. 23, 2009 10:00 am
            When I was young, the Helms breadman (Los Angeles area) Had (I Think) Dried Apple Pies with a sugar water type crust. Back in those days, we also called them "Restaurant Apple Pies". Does anyone remember those pies and more imoortant how to make them? Thanx Pete
             
            Oct. 23, 2009 9:39 pm
            It is apple season now in NY. With the abundance of apples I have made 4 apple pies. They look great, and taste great but making the pie crust is big struggle. The crust falls apart when I put in the pie plate. There is a video on this site that shows a woman folding her crust and as easy as can be, plops it in the exact place she wanted it. Not me, mine falls apart and I have to try to adjust and piece it together. It is hidden when I egg-wash it and does look great. But I don't like the struggle. Suggestions??
             
            WOODY 
            Oct. 28, 2009 6:00 pm
            can you make apple pie with regular apples?
             
            NRITTER56 
            Oct. 30, 2009 4:38 pm
            I am new to making apple pie and have made 2 this week. Each time the apples are still semi-crisp when the pie is done. What am I doing wrong? I used Granny Smith in 1 pie and Red Delicious in the second. I sliced them very thin, no bigger then 1/4 slices. Stove temp 375... 45-55 minutes of banking. Crust was baked perfectly, but not the apples.
             
            kennelmom 
            Nov. 1, 2009 9:03 am
            took it out of the oven at 1:00------------Gone by 8:15. It was sure good according to Ray. Made a camamel sauce with rum and brandy. I got to smell it. He said he would by me some more apples
             
            Pat D 
            Nov. 7, 2009 2:51 pm
            Homemade applesauce is the easiest recipe to make. Peel and core as many apples as you wish. Place in a large pot and simmer for an hour or two, till the apples soften. You may need to add a bit of water or apple juice as you go. Force through a sieve and voila, now you have delicious applesauce. No need to add sugar.
             
            maya01 
            Nov. 8, 2009 11:57 am
            I would like to bake two apple pies on this Thanksgiving day.But with too many things to do that day, I would like to make it this week and freeze without baking. Has anyone tried making the apple pies ahead and freezing them without baking? Does it come out good? How long do you thaw before baking and at what temperature. Any tips?
             
             
            Something worth saving?

            Register now to save all your favorites in your recipe box.

            ADVERTISEMENT
             
            Select Your Version:  United States  |  Canada  |  United Kingdom & Ireland  |  Australia & New Zealand  |  Germany  |  France  |  China  |  Japan  |  Quebec  |  SE Asia  |  Netherlands

            Frequently Asked Questions What's this?