BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (2024)

Table of Contents
Table of Contents Why This Recipe Works Ingredients in Cherry Pie Filling What are the best cherries to use for pie filling? How to make cherry pie filling Storing Homemade Pie Filling FAQ Ways to use Cherry Pie Filling Cherry Pie Filling Ingredients Instructions Recipe Video Recipe Notes Recipe Nutrition Favorite Cherry Recipes ICEE Cupcakes Cherry co*ke Poke Cake Cherry Ice Cream Pie Cherry Berry Dump Cake Leave a Comment 31 Comments Rate This Recipe

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Written ByDorothy Kern

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Looking for a way to use all of those fresh summer cherries? Make homemade my Cherry Pie Filling recipe! My recipe is so easy and you only need five ingredients!

Use this easy filling for pie or use it to create other delicious cherry desserts. Never waste those fresh picked cherries again!

BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients in Cherry Pie Filling
  • What are the best cherries to use for pie filling?
  • How to make cherry pie filling
  • Storing Homemade Pie Filling
  • FAQ
  • Ways to use Cherry Pie Filling
  • Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

Once you try making homemade pie filling, I can promise that you will never want to buy canned pie filling again. Using fresh cherries makes a huge difference! Perfectly sweet with just the right amount of sugar this pie filling is all about that fresh cherry flavor.

The cherries cook down with cornstarch to get nice and thick. You can make this with fresh or frozen cherries and it’s the perfect pie filling or topping for anything you like.

BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (3)

Ingredients in Cherry Pie Filling

  • Cherries: If you use fresh cherries you will need to pit them. The easiest way to pit a cherry is with a cherry pitter. You will also need to remove the stems. You can also use frozen cherries! Don’t have a cherry pitter? Learn how to pit a cherry with a straw.
  • Water: When you cook the cherries, you will need to add some water. Cooking the cherries in water helps break them down and release the juices.
  • Sugar: You will need some granulated sugar to sweeten the pie filling.
  • Cornstarch: To thicken your filling, you will add a slurry which is made with cornstarch and cold water.
  • Lemon Juice: You will also need some lemon juice which helps balance out the sweetness from the sugar.

What are the best cherries to use for pie filling?

  • Sweet Cherries: if you’re using all sweet cherries you’ll want to be sure and use the lemon juice.
  • Tart Cherries: if you’re using all tart cherries you can omit the lemon juice (or add it after tasting during cooking.
  • Combination of cherries: be sure and taste during cooking and adjust the amount of lemon juice accordingly.
  • Fresh vs. Frozen Cherries: If you use frozen cherries, be sure to thaw them first.
BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (4)
BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (5)
BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (6)
BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (7)
BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (8)

How to make cherry pie filling

  1. Cook Cherries: Place the prepped cherries and water in a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil and cook the cherries for 10 to 15 minutes or until they have softened and released their juices.
  2. Make Slurry: Combine the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl.
  3. Mix and Boil: Add the sugar to the cherries followed by the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously. The mixture will thicken quickly at which point you can take it off the heat.
  4. Taste: At this point, taste the filling (carefully- it will be hot!) and if it’s too sweet you can add lemon juice to balance it out.
  5. Cool: Transfer the filling to a bowl or large bowl. Let it cool to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator until you ready to use it.

Storing Homemade Pie Filling

Make this Easy Cherry Pie Filling Ahead or Freeze It!

Storing: Make this filling and keep it in the fridge for four days.

Freezing: Place in a freezer safe container and freeze it up to 3 months.

Canning: I do not recommend canning this recipe because it uses cornstarch.

BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (9)

FAQ

What Cherries are best for pie?

The type of cherry you choose will make a difference in your filling. I recommend that you use fresh cherries! There are tart and sweet variety of cherries and you can use all of the same for your filling or do a combination. It really depends on your tastes! As you’ll see in the recipes, you can easily adjust how sweet or tart your filling is depending on the type of cherries you use.

Can I use frozen cherries for this recipe?

Cherries have a really short season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make this cherry filling recipe when it’s not summer! You can use frozen cherries, but you will need to thaw them completely first and then drain off all of the excess liquid before you make your filling.

How do you store pie filling?

Store this in a jar or airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Use your canning resource to can it properly.

Can you freeze cherry pie filling?

Yes store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Does cherry pie filling need to be cooked?

Once you’ve made the recipe below you can use the filling for a no-bake or a baked pie.

Ways to use Cherry Pie Filling

  • You can use this filling to make the BEST cherry pie!
  • Cherry Delight
  • Cherry Cheesecake Dessert
  • Cherry Dump Cake
  • Cherry Pie Bars
  • Switch out the apple pie filling for the cherry in Apple Cheesecake Pie

BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (10)

Cherry Pie Filling

5 from 44 votes

This easy Cherry Pie Filling can be made with tart or sweet cherries and is perfect for a no bake pie or any cherry dessert. Plus the filling is gluten-free!

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Yield 8 servings

Serving Size 1 serving

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Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 – 5 cups cherries (about 1¾ pounds) pitted
  • ¼ cup water
  • ⅔ cup (133g) sugar
  • ¼ cup (30g) cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice see note

Instructions

  • Pit your cherries and place them in a medium saucepan with the water. Place over medium-low heat and cover. Bring to a boil and cook until the cherries start to soften and release their juices, about 10-15 minutes.

    See Also
    Peppermint Bark Recipe

  • Make a cornstarch slurry: add the cornstarch with an additional 1/4 cup of COLD water to a small bowl and stir with a spoon.

  • Add the lemon juice if you feel the mixture is too sweet (see note).

  • Stir the sugar into the cherries, then add the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously while the mixture thickens, which will happen fast.

  • Remove the cherries from the heat and place in a bowl or large jar. Cool to room temperature then chill until ready to use. You can also freeze. Will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• You can use all tart or all sweet or a combination of cherries. If using sweet cherries, be sure to add the lemon juice. If you’re using tart cherries, you may not need it (the lemon juice cuts the sweetness) so it depends on how sweet you want your pie filling.
• You can make this with frozen fruit but it must be thawed and well drained.

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin C: 1mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

This easy Pie Filling can be made with tart or sweet cherries and is perfect for a no bake pie or any cherry dessert. Plus the filling is gluten-free!

Favorite Cherry Recipes

Cake

ICEE Cupcakes

Cake

Cherry co*ke Poke Cake

Pie

Cherry Ice Cream Pie

Cake

Cherry Berry Dump Cake

Last Updated on June 30, 2023

BEST Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (Fresh or Frozen) - Crazy for Crust (15)

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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31 Comments

  1. It’s Thanksgiving time and I can’t find fresh cherries. Have you tried using the frozen cherries before? I fear they will be watery. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Just make sure to thaw them first and drain any excess water

      Reply

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