Apple Filling for Pies

Dorel's Note:

After just making this again I think some may find the filling too thick so I am changing the instructions to say 2-4 tablespoons of cornstarch. We like our apples diced so it takes 3-4 large apples to achieve 4 cups. I also used the micro.this time stirring every couple minutes. No chance of burning on the bottom that way.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 9inch pie

• 4 cups diced apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar, depending on sweetness of apples, to taste
• 2 -4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, to your taste
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, to your taste
• 1 cup apple juice or 1 cup water, if you don't have juice, try to have juice, it adds to the flavor

Directions:

1. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples in saucepan.
2. Mix next four ingredients together and add to apples.
3. Mix well.
4. Add very hot juice to pan, (I microwave juice for 2 minutes) cook, stirring constantly until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and cool.
6. Fill a well chilled 9 inch pastry lined pan and cover with top crust.
7. Bake on lowest rack at 425* for 10 minutes, and finish baking on center rack until bubbling, about 20 minutes more.

Reviews

[Susie in Texas]

I wish I could give this recipe 10 stars! The other apple pie recipes I have tried, where the filling is cooked inside the pie crust, always seem to be either too dry or too runny. Not a problem with this recipe. This apple pie has a rich tasting, thick, creamy filling that clings to the apples within each slice. I had 10 Granny Smith apples to use, which came to 9 cups of apple slices. I doubled all the ingredients but did add an extra 1/2 cup of sugar (1 1/2 cups total) because these apples were very tart. I also added an extra teaspoon of cinnamon (2 teaspoons total). I used a total of 8 tablespoons cornstarch for doubling this recipe. Instead of apple juice, I used apple cider heated in the microwave until very hot. IMO, the apple cider/juice is what really puts this recipe over the top above others. After the filling thickened, I separated it into two 4-cup containers. After cooling, I used 4 cups for my pie and froze the other for later use. At 425° this pie cooks quickly and I had to use foil to cover the edges of the crust after the first 10 minutes when I moved it to the center rack. Be sure to cut air vents/slits on your top crust because this filling will bubble up. The bottom crust was perfectly done and the top was golden brown after another 20 minutes in the oven. This is the best apple pie I have ever made and my dh gave it a big "thumbs up". Dorel, thanks so much for sharing this recipe.

[lovelysoulthief]

I just made this tonight using a combo of Macintosh and Cortland apples. I used less sugar than listed, and that was a mistake; very sour. The texture was good with only 2 tbs cornstarch. It was a little oozie, which we enjoyed. I made 12 mini pies in a cupcake tin with cookie cutter stars on top. Thirty minutes on 375, turning half way. I had enough leftover to make a pot pie size one as well. Will definitely make again!

[zzzdreamerzzz]

Great recipe. I made it as is and it turned out great.I used Macs and they are quite sweet but also added 2 tbsp. of concentrated lemon juice which worked nice together. This one is a keeper. With some tweeking I should be able to use this one for apple squares as well.