With the saying “as American as apple pie,” we’re quite accustomed to thinking a holiday isn’t a holiday without homemade apple pie. With the time constraints of life, making one rather than buying one is often easier said than done. Carve out a bit of time now and get peeling, coring and slicing a variety of farm fresh apples. With the addition of a few simple ingredients you can make and freeze apple pie filling that can easily be defrosted and baked in prepared pie dough. How’s that for homemade pie in a pinch?
Quick Apple Pie Filling
Makes enough for 1 apple pie
10 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
3/4 cups granulated sugar
5 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cinnamon
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 teaspoons corn starch
Melt the butter in medium sized pot. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Cook for about 10 minutes on a medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the corn starch and cook for a few more minutes until the filling thickens. Cool and then freeze in a container sealed with a tight fitting lid. Come the holidays, all you’ll need to do is defrost the filling, pour it into a prepared pie pan and cover with a top crust, making sure to crimp the edges and make slits in the top. How’s that for a delicious, stress free apple pie!