Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar: A Rustic Recipe (Print Version)

Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar brings warmth to any dessert. Learn my easy, rustic recipe for a truly comforting treat that tastes like home.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Base

01 - 6 medium baking apples (like 4 Granny Smith, 2 Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/2-inch thick

→ Sweetness & Spice

02 - 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Thickener & Flavor Boost

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
08 - 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)

→ Optional Extras

09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
10 - 1 tablespoon bourbon or brandy (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those apples ready, hon! Peel, core, and slice your apples into about 1/2-inch thick pieces. I usually aim for uniform slices so they cook evenly – a little kitchen hack I learned after having some mushy bits and some hard bits in the same batch. Honestly, this is where the real work begins, so get comfortable and maybe put on some good music. You want them ready to soak up all that delicious brown sugar goodness for your Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar.
02 - In a large bowl, toss your sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give it a good stir until every apple slice is beautifully coated. This is where the magic starts to happen, and you can already smell the promise of something delicious. I always give it an extra minute of mixing, just to make sure everything is perfectly distributed. Don't be afraid to get your hands in there if you need to, just avoid bruising the apples too much!
03 - Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your coated apples. This step always makes my kitchen smell incredible, like autumn exploded in the best way. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften just a little and release some of their juices. This gentle cooking brings out their natural sweetness and begins to form the base of your rich sauce.
04 - Pour in the fresh lemon juice. This brightens everything up and keeps the apples from turning too brown. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes. You're looking for the apples to be tender but still hold their shape – not mushy! I once walked away for too long and ended up with apple sauce, oops! Keep an eye on it, stirring every few minutes.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a couple tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Make sure there are no lumps! Pour this slurry into the simmering apple mixture, stirring constantly. You’ll see the sauce start to thicken almost immediately, becoming glossy and beautiful. Keep stirring for another minute or two until it reaches your desired consistency – thick enough to coat a spoon, but still pourable. This is crucial for a perfectly set Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar.
06 - Remove the pot from the heat and let the Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken even more, reaching that perfect pie-ready consistency. Honestly, this is the hardest part – the waiting! But trust me, giving it time to cool and set properly makes all the difference in texture and flavor. Once cool, it's ready for your pie, tarts, or just a spoon!

# Notes:

01 - Always use a mix of tart and sweet apples; it creates a more complex and delicious filling.
02 - Don't overcook the apples in the pot, or you'll end up with mush instead of tender slices.
03 - Let the filling cool completely before using it in a pie, it prevents a soggy bottom crust!
04 - A splash of bourbon or brandy added with the lemon juice can elevate the flavor significantly.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - large mixing bowl
03 - whisk
04 - measuring cups and spoons
05 - peeler
06 - corer

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 200
Total Fat: 4g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 1g

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