Canned Apple Pie Filling

Submitted by southern chef in lo

"I got this recipe for the USDA on canning. It does not say to give a water bath so I don't think this recipe needs it, but if you want to, do it about 25 minutes in hot water bath."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 7 quarts

ingredients

• 5676.0 ml blanched sliced fresh apples
• 1301.24 ml sugar
• 354.88 ml clear gelatin
• 14.79 ml cinnamon
• 591.47 ml cold water
• 1182.95 ml apple juice
• 177.44 ml bottled lemon juice
• 4.92 ml nutmeg
• 0.45 ml yellow food coloring

directions

1. Use firm crisp apples, such as golden delicious, Rome or other apples of similar quality.
2. Wash, peel and core the apples. Slice them about 1/2 inch wide and place in water containing ascorbic acid to prevent browning. Blanch 2 quarts at a time for 1 minute in boiling water. While blanching other apples, keep ones already blanched in covered pot to keep warm.
3. Combine the sugar, clear gelatin and cinnamon in large pot with the water and apple juice, food coloring and nutmeg. Stir and cook on medium high heat until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
4. Drain the apple slices from the water, reserving water.
5. Add lemon juice to water mixture and boil 1 minute more. Fold in the apple slices immediately and fill jars with mixture. Clean the rims and seal the jars.

Reviews

[Velouria L.]

This is a great recipe. However, as a certified Master Food Preserver through OSU Extension, I can tell you that if you are going to can this (as opposed to refrigerating or freezing it) you MUST process this in a water bath for 25 min. (0 - 1,000 ft. elevation), 30 min. (1,001 - 3,000 ft.), 35 min. (3,001 - 6,000 ft), or 40 min. (Above 6,000 ft) or the product may not be safe. If you are going to refrigerate, by all means feel free to play with the recipe, but if you are going to can this you must follow the recipe as written. DO NOT CUT BACK ON THE BOTTLED LEMON JUICE! If it's too tart, you can add more sugar to your taste. The acid level is essential to make the pie filling safe. Also keep in mind that Clear Jel is safer than cornstarch for canning and yields a better product.

 

[twosonn]

This recipe is great and makes wonderful pie filling. However, I believe the term, "clear gelatin" is misleading. It is NOT GELATIN as in Jello or Knox Gelatin. I think the original recipe was using the term "clear gelatin" as a generic term for the brand name product, "Clear-Jel". Clear-Jel is a modified corn starch which allows heat transfer from the outside of the jar, through to the center of the canned product, in this case the apple pie filling. Regular corn starch can block some of that heat transfer which could lead to inadequately heated pie filling and thereby leave the it susceptible to bacterial botulism activity. The other caution I would offer is DO NOT CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF LEMON JUICE. Adequate acidity prevents the growth of botulism bacteria in the modified corn starch which is the non-acid portion of the pie filling. And last but not least, is to be sure, when canning your apple pie filling, check for the length of time to can it based on both the container size, pint or quart and also your altitude. Review Velouria's comment above. There is a difference between water bath canning quarts at sea level (25 minutes) and 2500 feet above sea level (30 minutes). This difference could mean a safe product or not. Be safe, check your canning guides and have a wonderful time baking those yummy apple pies. We don't want anyone rushed to the hospital from botulism poisoning.

 

[Haggis Ghillie]

Excellent. My modifications...5 1/2 cups Splenda, 1 cup cornstarch instead of the gelatin, no lemon juice, no food coloring. Turned out delicious.

 

[Grandma Polly]

I made this and also used cider instead of apple juice and cornstarch in stead of gelatin and it was wonderful. I am making 3 more batches ..

 

[michEgan]

I want to revise this review. I still think it is a knock out recipe!! I just made another batch of it and I just love it so much. One thing I want to say is when you peel your apples peel 7 quarts. Due to shrinking of apples, if you just do 6 quarts you will be shy on your last quart. I did not use water, just all apple cider, I think it gave it such a wonderful apple flavor. Also I too used the cornstarch and it worked perfect! oh,I agree with Mary, I too cut back my lemon juice. If you have apples, what a nice gift for sure as Charlita says. SO far I have 12 quarts, I think I will do another batch too!! Excellent recipe for sure!