Cherry Pie Filling Canning Recipe: A Sweet and Tart Treat All Year Round
Are you ready to enjoy the delicious taste of cherry pie all year round? Then you need to try making your own cherry pie filling! This recipe is simple, uses fresh or frozen cherries, and is perfect for canning.
Why Can You Make Your Own Cherry Pie Filling?
- Control the Ingredients: You get to choose the quality and sweetness of your pie filling.
- Save Money: Making your own pie filling can be more cost-effective than buying it pre-made.
- Fresh Flavors: Homemade cherry pie filling is simply bursting with delicious flavor.
- Homemade Gifts: Share your love of baking with delicious, homemade cherry pie filling.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups fresh or frozen sweet cherries (pitted)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Canning Jars:
- Wash and sterilize your canning jars, lids, and bands according to your preferred method.
2. Prepare the Cherries:
- Fresh Cherries: Pit the cherries and remove stems. You can either chop them or leave them whole.
- Frozen Cherries: Thaw the cherries and drain off any excess liquid.
3. Cook the Filling:
- Combine the cherries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
4. Fill the Jars:
- Carefully ladle the hot cherry pie filling into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
5. Process the Jars:
- Wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth.
- Place the lids and bands onto the jars.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath according to your preferred method. For pints, process for 20 minutes. For quarts, process for 25 minutes.
6. Cool and Store:
- Carefully remove the jars from the boiling water bath and let them cool completely.
- After cooling, check the lids for proper sealing.
- Store your canned cherry pie filling in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Enjoy your homemade cherry pie filling!
Tips for Success:
- Use good quality cherries: Fresh or frozen cherries are both great options.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a sweeter filling, add a little more sugar.
- Test for thickness: The filling should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Use a food mill (optional): For a smoother filling, you can run the cooked cherries through a food mill after simmering.
- Label and date: Be sure to label and date your jars for easy identification.
Your cherry pie filling is ready to use in your favorite recipes! You can use it to make traditional cherry pies, cobblers, tarts, and even ice cream toppings! You can also use it as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, and yogurt.
Have fun baking!
