Fall is just around the corner and apples will be plentiful in the northeast. During the Autumn season I like to can my own apple pie filling which can be used several different ways. I’ve used my home canned apple pie filling to make cobbler, crisp, muffins, bread, turnovers and of course, apple pies!
The recipe that I like to use is from the Ball Blue Book – Guide to Preserving. This recipe will yield 6 to 7 pint jars. When properly processed, your canned apple pie filling is good for up to 1 year. Please remember to label and date all of your mason jars!
Home Canning: Apple Pie Filling Recipe
10 lbs. apples
Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector
4 cups granulated sugar
4 cups water
1 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Note: My mom adds ground nutmeg and ground allspice to the recipe, about a 1/2 teaspoon of each. I personally don’t add them, but I’ll leave that up to you.
Wash, peel, core and slice apples. Some people slice them into rings but I like to peel, core and cut into thin wedges. Treat with Fruit-Fresh to prevent apples from darkening.
Combine granulated sugar and water in a large stock pot or saucepan. Bring mixture to a full boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Drain apples from water and then place them into the hot syrup and let stand for 10 minutes. Bring apples and syrup to a full boil over medium to high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove apples from syrup, keep hot. Return syrup to a boil.
Layer hot apples loosely into a hot canning jar. Ladle hot syrup into the jar leaving a 1/2″ headspace. Wipe rim, add seal and add the band until it’s fingertip tight. Place jar on the rack elevated over simmering water of the canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
Lower the rack into the simmering water. The water needs to cover the top of the jars by at least 1″ in depth. Adjust heat to medium-high and bring the water to a boil. Process the jars for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove cover. Let jars sit in the hot water for an additional 5 minutes. Remove jars from the caner and place them on top of a towel on your counter to cool. After 12 hours, check to make sure all jars sealed properly.
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I do like the idea of canning the apples. It would make it much easier to bake a lot of apple pies.
Everyone requests for me to make apple pie right around these months. I never thought of canning them to make the process faster. I can’t wait to try this technique out.
It would be great to make your own apples like this. I used to watch my Grandma can and I’d like to start doing it again.
I love having apples ready to go for any recipe. Thank you for the recipe.
I tell you, you can’t go wrong with the Ball Blue Book! I used to can , and kinda let it fall by the wayside t hese past few years. We have been so busy trying to keep up with oher things :/ I bet your house smelled so good. Fresh apples (well canned from fresh)make some of the best pie, and you know exactly what’s in it.