Brown Sugar Apple Pie Filling: A Homestyle Recipe (Print Version)

Create rich, spiced brown sugar apple pie filling. This comforting recipe is perfect for pies, tarts, or enjoying by the spoonful.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Apples & Base

01 - 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced
02 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

→ Sweeteners & Thickeners

03 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Warm Spices

07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 tsp salt

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, peel, core, and slice your apples. I usually go for slices about 1/4-inch thick; they cook down nicely without turning into complete mush. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, apple peels everywhere! But seeing those neat stacks of apple slices always makes me feel like a pro, even if my counter looks like a disaster zone. Don't worry too much about perfection here, just get them ready.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together your brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure it's really well combined – you don't want pockets of just flour in your brown sugar apple pie filling. I always give it an extra whisk, just to be sure. This step smells so good already, you can practically taste the pie!
03 - Now, add your sliced apples to a large bowl. Pour the lemon juice over them and toss gently to coat. This stops them from browning, which is super important for a pretty filling. Then, sprinkle your sugar and spice mixture over the apples and toss again until every apple slice looks beautifully coated. It might seem like a lot of sugar, but trust the process!
04 - Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once it's shimmering, add your coated apples. This is where the magic really starts to happen for our brown sugar apple pie filling. The butter will start to coat the apples and the sugars will begin to dissolve.
05 - Cook the apples, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes. You want them to soften slightly but still have a bit of a bite. The mixture will start to get bubbly and thicken. This is the moment I always check the consistency, sometimes I'm impatient and pull it off too soon, oops! The sugars will create a gorgeous, thick syrup.
06 - Remove the brown sugar apple pie filling from the heat and let it cool completely before using it in your pie. As it cools, it will thicken even more, becoming that perfect, luscious consistency. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That's pure joy, honestly. It’s hard not to sneak a spoonful, just warning you!

# Notes:

01 - Don't rush the apple softening; it's what makes the filling tender, not mushy. I learned that the hard way with a very crunchy pie once!
02 - This brown sugar apple pie filling keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a week. Just cool it completely before sealing it up.
03 - If you don't have lemon juice, a splash of apple cider vinegar works surprisingly well for that bright zing. I've used it in a pinch!
04 - Serve this brown sugar apple pie filling warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It's my favorite way to end a chilly evening.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large saucepan
02 - mixing bowls
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board
05 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 8g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 1g

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