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Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling

This Homemade Cherry Pie Filling is sweet, tart, and perfectly glossy — made from fresh or frozen cherries with a touch of lemon and vanilla. It’s a quick and easy filling for pies, cheesecakes, pancakes, or dessert bars. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to canned cherry filling again!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries sweet or tart
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional Add-ins:
  • 1 tablespoon butter for richness
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon for warmth
  • ½ cup diced peaches for variation

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Cherries:
  2. Pit and halve fresh cherries, or thaw frozen ones and drain any excess liquid.
  3. Mix the Thickener:
  4. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water until smooth.
  5. Cook the Base:
  6. In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Heat over medium until cherries start to release juices.
  7. Thicken the Filling:
  8. Add the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens (about 3–5 minutes).
  9. Add Flavor:
  10. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla or almond extract. For a glossy texture, mix in the butter.
  11. Cool and Store:
  12. Let cool completely. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Taste and adjust sweetness based on your cherries.
Combine both tart and sweet cherries for the best flavor balance.
Always dissolve cornstarch in cold water before adding to the hot mixture.
Mix in peaches for a summery twist.
Allow the filling to cool — it thickens as it sets.