We're going to cheat on this apple pie a little bit. Just a little!
We're making the apple pie filling from scratch.
Wow. Sounds like a big deal, right?
It's not.
It's super easy. And so worth the time it takes to peel a few apples. The freshness!
The part we're cheating with is the crust.
Let's use store-bought crust. They're good. They're fast. They're pretty.
At this point in my cooking experience, making a pie crust is no problem. Getting to the pretty??? That's another story.
So let's not talk about it anymore -- let's just use store-bought, okay?
Now, to make this apple pie over-the-top-delicious, we're going to serve it warm and top it with a Cinnamon Sauce and a Cheddar Cheese Sauce, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
I'm crediting my cousin, Debi, for this.
When I was a little girl, Debi treated me to dessert at the Liberty House cafe in Kahala Mall on Oahu.
This pie! The sauce!
That was probably 40 years ago. I haven't come across anything like it ever since.
Apparently, I had been forgetting about the cinnamon sauce component. Debi reminded me recently, and the cinnamon sauce made all the difference!
It's the combo of sweetness, tanginess, warm and cold. All those wonderful sensations in one bite!
Enjoy! - The Recipe Wench
Here's the recipe for Homemade Apple Pie Filling. The recipes for the Cinnamon and Cheese Sauces follow!
The recipes are below but I also made a video for the apple pie filling --
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Print recipe
| Meal type | Dessert |
| Slightly adapted from recipe on | Chocolate Moosey |
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 Cups apples (cored, peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Cup sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ Teaspoon cloves
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Cup cornstarch
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
Note
This homemade apple pie filling can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. Note that this filling will separate over time so just be sure to reheat and stir before using. You'll love the aroma, the flavor, the freshness of this filling. You can even use it as topping for vanilla ice cream, or even an English muffin for breakfast!
ENJOY! - The Recipe Wench
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Place chopped apples in large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice and toss to mix. The lemon juice will prevent the apples from turning brown. In large saucepan, add water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Add apples. Continue stirring and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature. At this point, you can either use the filling or store it in the freezer. NOTE: this filling will separate over time. Before using be sure to reheat and stir to combine. | |
Cinnamon Sauce
Ingredients
- 1-½ Cups water
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
- ½ Teaspoon cinnamon extract
Note
Cinnamon Sauce is excellent over fresh apple pie!
Enjoy! - The Recipe Wench
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Bring water, butter, sugar, cinnamon to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. "Temper" the cornstarch mixture with a little of the cinnamon mixture. Add cornstarch to the pan. Continue simmering for 4 more minutes. Remove from heat and add extract. This sauce will thicken as it cools. Store in refrigerator until ready to use. | |
Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 Ounces cream cheese
- ¼ Cup milk
Note
This tangy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce is excellent over apple pie.
Enjoy! - The Recipe Wench
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Heat cream cheese and milk in a saucepan over low heat. Add cheddar and whisk until smooth. Reheat before serving. | |
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