Sugar Free Cherry Pie Filling
Sugar-free cherry pie filling is exactly what you need. Bursting with tart cherries, just the right amount of sweetness, and a silky-thick texture, this recipe makes it easy to enjoy classic comfort food with a healthier twist.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 55kcal
Cost: Recipe $8.19 / Serving $1.02
Ingredients
- 4 cups pitted cherries, fresh or frozen ($6.23)
- ½ cup water ($0.00)
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice ($0.15)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ($0.10)
- 3-4 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup ($1.71)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract, optional
- 1 pinch salt, optional
Instructions
- Simmer cherries. Add the cherries, water, and lemon juice to a medium saucepan. Set over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and release their juices.
- Make slurry. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
- Thicken filling. Stir the slurry into the simmering cherries and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and glossy.
- Finish. Remove from heat and stir in the honey or maple syrup, almond extract, and salt, if using. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
- Cool. Let the filling cool completely. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Notes
- Sweetness Adjustments: If your cherries are very tart, add extra sweetener 1 tablespoon at a time. If using sweet cherries (like black or Bing), you may need less sweetener and a little extra lemon juice for balance.
- Thickening: Cornstarch makes a glossy filling, but tapioca starch works great too and holds up well in reheating. If filling is too thick, stir in a splash of water.
- Flavor Boost: Almond extract is highly recommended. It pairs beautifully with cherries. A little vanilla or cinnamon also deepens the flavor.
- Prevent Runny Pie: Let the pie cool at least 3 hours before slicing so the filling can fully set. Cutting too soon leads to runny slices.
- Best Cherries for Pie: Tart cherries (Montmorency, Morello) are traditional, but sweet black cherries can work well with added lemon juice for brightness.
- Storage: Keep in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months. Stir before using after thawing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 661IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.2mg
