Apple Pie FillingApple Pie FillingApple Pie Filling

One of recipes I would see over and over that looked amazing in photographs is Apple Pie filling. This recipe is everything inside the pie crust ready to be poured in and tucked away in my canning closet till the holidays call for the traditional apple pie.  Now some of you may have the old fashion apple peeling device which after this I may have to hunt down, but I really have been working on my knife skills and want to get better at the art of paring. Well after 10 lbs of apples I think that I could say that practice makes perfect! Here is the fantastic recipe:
If you need Clear Jel you can order it from Hoosier Hill Farms

Apple Pie Filling

The recipe is easy, but the apple preparation can be time consuming.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins
Course Appetizer, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 60

Ingredients
  

  • 10 pounds tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced (~20 cups sliced)
  • 5 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup Clearjel
  • 1 T. cinnamon
  • 2-1/2 cups cold water (2 1/2 qts water if you omit apple juice)
  • 5 cups apple juice
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup bottled lemon juice

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • For fresh apples, place 6 cups at a time into 1 gallon of boiling water and boil one minute when it comes back to a boil. Drain but keep fruit covered in a bowl.
  • In a stockpot, mix the sugar, Clearjel, cinnamon, nutmeg together. Add the water and apple juice, stir to mix well. Bring to a boil and cook until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add the lemon juice. Fold apples into mixture.
  • Pack the apples into hot, sterilized quart size canning jars. Best way to fill is in layers. Using the funnel ladle one large scoop and using the spatula press the apples down in the jar to remove the bubbles. Continue filling using this technique so that you work your way up the jar with as little air bubbles as possible. Fill the jars to 1" headspace. (Because of expansion you can go to 2" headspace)
  • Wipe the rims and place the hot lid/rings on the jars. Process in a water bath canner for 25 minutes at a full rolling boil. Wait 5 minutes, remove and place on dishtowel overnight undisturbed. The next day remove rings and clean jars and label with recipe name and date. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place.
  • This recipe will make 6 - 7 quarts.
  • Note: For a great variation substitute brown sugar for the regular sugar and apple cider for the apple juice. This will make an amazing Caramel Apple Pie filling!
Keyword Apple Pie Filling