Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

This homemade cherry pie filling recipe is so easy to make!

Fresh (or frozen) cherries, sugar, and lemon juice are simmered to create this delicious sweet-tart pie filling.

plated cheesecake with Homemade Cherry Pie Filling on top

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

  • Homemade flavor! This recipe is so easy to make you’ll never buy canned again.
  • Make ahead Take advantage of cherry season, this filling will keep in the fridge for at least a week.
  • It’s a quick and easy way to top your favorite desserts from coffee cake to no bake cheesecake.
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling in a jar

Ingredients for Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Cherries – Fresh, canned, and frozen cherries will work. Be sure they’re all free of pits, however, I use this cherry pitter to make quick work of pitting fresh cherries!

Sweetener – Granulated sugar adds sweetness however, you can use a sugar substitute if you’d like.

Thickener – Cornstarch is the thickener in this recipe and creates a lovely gel-like texture for a glossy filling.

Variations – Feel free to mix in some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of cloves or allspice depending on what you’re using the mix for. ¼ teaspoon almond extract can be added.

salt , lemon , cherries , sugar , cornstartch , water and optional food coloring to make Homemade Cherry Pie Filling with labels

How to Make Cherry Pie Filling

It’s easy to make cherry pie filling, this recipe will replace the canned versions in your fave desserts!

  1. Rinse and pit cherries before using.
  2. Bring all ingredients except cherries and food coloring to a boil in a large saucepan and stir continuously.
  3. Add cherries and reduce heat to a low boil. Cook until the filling is thickened.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in food coloring, if desired.

Storing Cherry Pie Filling

  • Save homemade cherry pie filling in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Ways to Use Cherry Pie Filling

Cherry pie filling is perfect for topping cheesecake, filling cherry tarts, no bake pies or tucked inside your favorite pie crust. It’s also great spooned over panckes, waffles, or baked inside puff pastry turnover style.

Did you make this homemade Cherry Pie Filling? Leave us a rating and a comment below!

jar of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

5 from 1 vote↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Cherry pie filling is so easy to make from scratch with this easy homemade recipe!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

  • In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add water and lemon juice and bring to a boil, while stirring, over medium-high heat.

  • Add the cherries, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until thickened, stirring often.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in food coloring if using.

Makes 2.5 cups of pie filling. This recipe will replace 20oz canned pie filling. 
¼ teaspoon almond extract can be added with the water.
Store pie filling for 1 week in the fridge.

5 from 1 vote

Calories: 159 | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert, Pie, Sauce
Cuisine American
jar of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling with a title
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling in a jar and on a cheesecake slice with a title
close up of Homemade Cherry Pie Filling with writing
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling in a pot