Description

This Perfect Sour Cherry Pie Filling is a vibrant, flavorful blend of tart cherries, sugar, and spices that creates the ideal balance of sweetness and tanginess. Whether you’re baking a classic cherry pie or topping desserts, this filling delivers a rich, jammy consistency with minimal effort. The 30-minute process ensures fresh cherry flavor while achieving the perfect texture.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds (32 ounces or 905 grams) pitted sour cherries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
¼ cup (28 grams) cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup (60 grams) tart cherry juice
½ teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons (25 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Your Cherries: In a large bowl, combine pitted cherries, sugar, and cornstarch. Toss gently until evenly coated. Let sit to draw out juices.
Add Liquid Ingredients: Pour in lemon juice and cherry juice. Stir gently and let macerate for 15 minutes to soften cherries and dissolve sugar.
Cook the Filling: Transfer the mixture to a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until it reaches a gentle bubble—not a boil.
Thicken to Perfection: Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the filling thickens and leaves a trail when stirred. The color will deepen to a jewel-like ruby red.
Add Final Flavoring: Remove from heat and stir in almond extract and butter (if using). The residual heat will melt the butter and incorporate flavors.
Cool and Store: Pour into clean glass jars, leaving headspace if freezing. Cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.

Notes

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Sour Cherry Pie Filling:

Pit with Precision: Use a cherry pitter or a pastry tip to remove pits efficiently.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Allow the mixture to macerate for 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and flavor development.
Watch the Bubbles: Look for slow, volcanic-like bubbles to indicate proper thickening.
Taste and Adjust: Before adding extracts, taste the filling and adjust sugar if needed.
Chill Thoroughly: Always cool the filling completely before using it in pies to avoid a soggy crust.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 cup (approx. 1 serving)
Calories: 120
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 0mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: sour cherry pie filling, homemade cherry filling, cherry dessert recipe, tart cherry pie