How To Make Canned Cherry Pie Filling Taste Better: Useful Tips

Last Updated on February 14, 2023

Cherries are usually off-season, but you can make it during summer. This how-to guide will help you to learn how to make canned cherry pie filling taste better. You can make the same cherry pie recipe in the middle of winter and still get the cherry-peak season flavor like summertime. Essentially, cherries are classified into tart and sweet. Rainier and Bing are the most popular sweet cherries. In contrast to that, sour cherries are mostly canned for pie filling. 

Using canned cherries reduces the preparation time of this recipe. Plus, it has great benefits since the manufacturers harvest the product at the ripe peak to make canned fruits. By canning the fruits within four hours, it can lock in all the nutrition and flavor from its peak. There are no preservatives often used in the method, making it an efficient process. 

It contains antioxidants like anthocyanin, therefore good for the heart and fights free radicals. It is also abundant in vitamin C, an essential nutrient involved in repairing tissues. Canned fruits are a great benefit for those who are planning to bake using seasonal fruits. It is also available in varieties like dark, sweet cherries, or red tart.

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How to Make Canned Cherry Pie Filling Taste Better

Canned cherry pie filling is not overwhelmingly sweet or too tart, unlike naturally sweet cherries. However, it still depends on the ripeness of the cherries. To make it taste better, add a tablespoon of plain white sugar at a time until the cherry pie filling is as sweet as you want it to be. Then, let the pie filling sit for ten minutes before you taste it to enable the sugar to meld and dissolve with the cherry flavors.

How to Pit the Cherries

A great way to pit cherries is by the use of a cherry pitter. Place the cherries in the pitter and squeeze until the pit pops out. If cherry pitter is unavailable, you can push a skewer or a chopstick through a cherry to remove the seed. To remove a stem, insert the rounded end of a paperclip shaped in an “S” form to pull the pit out in that hole.

What You Will Need: Better Tasting Canned Cherry Pie Filling

Ingredients

• 5 cups of can pitted cherries
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 5tbsp of water
• 3tbsp of lemon juice
• A tbsp of butter
• Red food coloring, optional

Equipment

• Measuring cup
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoon
• Rubber Spatula
• Saucepan

Wilton Navy Blue and Gold Icing Spatula Set

Step by Step: How to Make Canned Cherry Pie Filling Taste Better

Step 1

Open your can of cherries and drain the juice into a saucepan of medium heat. Place 1/4 of the cherries in a medium-sized bowl, then set aside.

Step 2

Make a slurry by adding cornstarch and water into a small bowl. Pour the slurry into the medium-sized bowl with cherries, and fold using a rubber spatula.

Step 3

Pour slurry cherries into the saucepan and bring to a boil until the cherries start to soften and release their juices for up to 15 minutes.

Step 4

Add the sugar and stir well. Lower the heat. Continue stirring the mixture until thickened for about 3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the butter and lemon juice, stir, and fold in until it incorporates. Then, add a small number of drops of red food coloring.

Step 6

Afterward, remove from heat and cool, then transfer to a jar or place as a pie filling.

Tips and Tricks: How to Make Canned Cherry Pie Filling Taste Better

When using frozen fruit, make sure to thaw and drain properly. Never microwave the cherries; it will ruin their velvety soft texture and cause them to become grainy. When using sour cherries, jolt the sugar by two tablespoons and lessen lemon juice to two tablespoons. Lemon juice helps balance out the sweetness of the sugar. 

Canned cherries should be stored unopened in a cool, dry place off the floor. Put an opened can of cherries in a clean and covered container to be refrigerated and used within three days before refrigerating.

Target’s in-house brand or Market Pantry cherry pie filling and topping has a wonderful tartness and is not overly sweetened compared to other brands. The texture of the filling is soft, and the cherries are delectable. However, if you prefer less tartness, then use Lucky Leaf. On the other hand, use Target run if you desire both tangy and flavorful canned cherries for pie filling.

Servings and Preparation Time

Recipe Using Canned Pie Filling

Ingredients for Pie Crust 

• crust of pie
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tbsp of water
• ½ cup butter

Ingredients for Canned Apple Pie Filling 

• 21 ounces or a can of Apple pie filling
• 1tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp of cold butter
• 1/3 cup of walnuts or chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup of instant oats

Equipment

• Measuring cup
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoon
• Spatula
• Whisk
• 9-inch pie pan
• Pastry brush

Servings and Preparation Time 

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Serves: 10

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Pie Crust

Step 1

Before anything else, preheat the oven to 392 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Next, in a mixing bowl, add the flour and salt, then cut the butter into the flour mixture.

Step 3

After that, add a tablespoon of cold water to the mixture. Then, mix it till the dough becomes smooth and soft.

Step 4

Flour your bench, knead the dough, and shape it into a ball. Afterward, using a rolling pin, roll the dough out a 1/8-inch thickness. 

Step 5

After that, utilize a 9-inch pie pan. Afterward, make sure to turn it upside down on top of the dough. Trace it, and cut it two inches bigger than the pie pan using a sharp knife. 

Step 6

Afterward, make holes in the dough’s center using a fork, and then blind bake it for 15 minutes. Set it aside and let it cool.

Making Pie Filling 

Step 1 

First and foremost, preheat the oven to 452 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Step 2

Then, in a mixing bowl, pour the pie filling, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Afterward, gently fold together using a rubber spatula till all of the ingredients are well incorporated. 

Step 3

Now, gradually pour the apple pie filling mixture into the prepared pie crust. 

Step 4

After that, in another bowl, mix in flour and brown sugar; cut in butter till crumbly. Then, stir in the oats and nuts. Afterward, top it over the pie filling.

Step 5

Then, bake for 45 minutes or till the top is golden brown. With that, make sure to set the rack in the oven center. Finally, place it on a wire rack and allow it to cool down before serving.

Tips and Tricks: Apple Pie With Canned Pie Filling

Always make sure to create holes in the crust to prevent it from inflating.

Moreover, freezing a cooked apple pie is okay. However, it will turn the apple pie soggy. Keep in mind that before baking your frozen pie again, you will need to thaw it. 

For this reason, it is okay to freeze the apple pie. But, be sure to defrost it slowly in the refrigerator to prevent it from getting wet and moist on top of the pie.

Comstock Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

If you’re looking to make a cherry pie using Comstock cherry pie filling from Duncan Hines, then look no further. For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 pie crusts (I find Pillsbury to be the best option)
• 2 cans of Duncan Hines Comstock Original Country Cherry Filling
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of almond extract

Now all you need to do is:

1. Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 425F. You’ll also need to get one of your pie crusts ready and set to one side.
2. In a bowl, add all of the pie filling from both cans and then add the almond extract. Stir to ensure the almond is mixed evenly throughout the filling.
3. Add the cherry pie filling to your prepared pie crust and then place the second pie crust on top of the first; the edges should be touching each other.
4. Using a fork, go around the edges of the pie crust, crimping them as you go. This will help the pie crusts to bake together when placed in the oven. Add some slits into the pie crust using a knife.
5. In a bowl, add the egg white and brush onto the top of your crust; coating the crust entirely. Then dust your sugar evenly on top.
6. Place in the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 40-45 minutes. The mixture should be bubbling when ready to eat.
7. Remove from oven and leave to cool before serving. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Wilderness Cherry Pie Filling Recipes

You can also make a cherry pie using the Wilderness cherry pie filling; again from Duncan Hines. For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 Pillsbury pie crusts
• 2 cans of Duncan Hines Wilderness Simply Cherry Pie Filling
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of milk

Now all you need to do is:

1. Gather the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 425F. Place one of the pie crusts onto a pie plate, in preparation to fill.
2. Add the cherry pie filling directly to your pie crust, and then place the second pie crust on top; ensuring the edges touch. Use a fork to ensure the pie crusts merge effectively.
3. Using a pastry brush, brush the crust with your milk, and then dust lightly with sugar. Add several slits to your pie crust, at the top.
4. Place your pie into the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 40 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and leave to cool before serving. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Best Canned Cherries Pie Filling

When it comes to cherry pie filling, there’s a huge selection of options, but some taste better than others. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best options and their prices.

Market Pantry Cherry Pie Filling

This is without a doubt the best option, and it comes from Market Pantry, stocked at Target. It costs around $2.99 for a 21oz can. It’s sweet, and tart and comes ready to eat. This pie filling is great as it comes free from any of the top 8 major allergens; meaning it’s suitable for a variety of dietary lifestyles.

Lucky Leaf Cherry Fruit Filling

Lucky Leaf has a premium cherry fruit filling that is delicious. It’s labeled completely gluten-free and you can buy it from most grocery stores. It costs around $3.50 for a 21oz can. For easy and tasty desserts, this is the choice for you.

Solo Cherry Cake and Pastry Filling

This option can be more difficult to obtain, but it’s available from many grocers online. This one costs $3.50 for a 12oz can. This filling is tangy, and thick and works perfectly in a pie or a cake.

Duncan Hines Comstock Original Country Cherry Pie Filling

One of the most easily accessible options is Duncan Hines. It costs around $4 for a 21oz can. What I love about this option is that it also comes in a range of other flavors such as caramel apple, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry. I love this one because it tastes as though you’ve made it from scratch.

Conclusion

I hope this post has helped you to become more familiar with how to make canned cherry pie filling taste better. Canned cherry pie filling is easy to make your own, and gives a personal touch. Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to making canned cherry pie filling taste better? If so, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!

FAQs

What is the best-canned cherry pie filling?

• Solo Cherry Cake and Pastry Filling 

It has a delicious and distinctive taste but can be exceedingly sweet. In addition to that, it is sticky and thick. Moreover, it has pureed cherries rather than bulbous balls.

• Lucky Leaf Cherry Fruit Filling and Topping 

Lucky Leaf’s tartness is a vital factor in an excellent pie filling. Aside from that, it has a nice blend of sweet and tart flavors. Although, it has an artificial aftertaste. Nevertheless, if you want less tartness, then this is the perfect canned cherry pie filling to use. 

• Market Pantry Cherry Pie Filling and Topping 

It has an excellent tartness, and it is not exceedingly sweet. Also, its cherries are close to how cherries should taste. Additionally, the pie filling’s texture is delectable. Hence, it is the best-canned cherry pie filling if you are looking for something tasty and tangy in your recipe. 

How do you thicken canned cherry pie filling?

Start by whisking the sugar with cornstarch till it becomes smooth in a bowl. Afterward, pour the mixture into the juice; remember to mix well. 

After that, adjust it to low heat then, bring it to a simmer. Ensure to cook it till the canned cherry pie filling thickens for at least two minutes. Lastly, please remove it from the heat and let it cool. 

How do you know if canned cherry pie filling is bad?

The most effective approach to knowing if canned cherry pie filling is terrible is by smelling it. Also, check if the cherries develop an off-flavor and appearance. Likewise, it is spoiled if molds start to build on it. For this reason, you must discard them. 

In addition to that, throw out all canned cherry pie filling that is rusting, severely dented, leaking, and bulging. 

Can I freeze canned cherry pie filling?

Yes, place the cherry pie filling in the freezer inside a heavy-duty freezer bag or airtight container. By doing this, it maximizes the shelf life of canned cherry pie filling. Because of this, you can freeze it for approximately two months.

In addition to that, it will remain safe to use beyond that time as long as you stored it correctly. 

Moreover, when you defrost canned cherry pie filling in the refrigerator. It can last for approximately three to four days before using it. On the other hand, if you thawed the cherry pie filling in cold water or the microwave, you should use it immediately. 

How long is canned cherry pie filling good for?

The exact answer relies to a significant extent on storage conditions. That is why always make sure to refrigerate canned cherry pie filling and cover it tightly. 

Additionally, phrases like best before, best if used by, best when used, or best-by dates are not safety dates. It turns out that it is usually the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the canned cherry pie filling will stay good. 

Does canned pie filling need to be cooked?

Not necessarily; manufacturers precook canned pie fillings. Also, they make sure it is hot to set the pie filling and eliminate all the microbes.