With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can make a delicious Blackberry Pie Filling that is bursting with flavor. Use this homemade pie filling recipe as a topping for cheesecake or bake it into a pie or cobbler.
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I have fond memories of walking down our dirt road as a kid looking for bushes loaded with ripe blackberries.
We always tried to find enough berries to make a blackberry filling for muffins. But most of the time we ended up eating those warm ripe berries before we got home.
Did you know that blackberry pie filling is hard to find in grocery stores? There are a few brands that make one, but apparently not many stores carry it.
Why This Recipe Works
Making your own homemade pie filling is so easy to do, and it tastes so much better than the one from a can. You can make a batch in minutes on the stove top.
There are so many benefits to making blackberry pie filling in your own kitchen. You control how much sugar you want to add. Plus, there are no added preservatives or artificial flavors and colors.
The best thing about this blackberry pie filling recipe is how versatile it is. You can swirl it in blackberry cheesecake, make a blackberry dump cake with it, or layer it in jars with yogurt for an easy summer dessert.
Key Ingredients
This blackberry pie filling recipe is easy to follow and calls for simple ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. And fresh berries, of course.
- Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the pie filling. Feel free to use brown sugar or your favorite sweetener.
- Salt - Helps to balance out the sweet and tart flavors in the filling.
- Blackberries - For this recipe you will need two 6 ounce boxes of fresh or 12 ounces frozen fruit.
- Cornstarch - Used to thicken the fruit juices into a thick blackberry pie filling.
- Lemon Juice - Helps to brighten the flavor of the fruit.
BRUCREW TIP: You can also add a little bit of vanilla extract after the blackberry filling is removed from the stove to enhance the flavor, if you like.
How to Make Blackberry Pie Filling
This homemade blackberry pie filling is easy to make and tastes delicious. In less than 15 minutes, you can have a batch cooling on your kitchen counter.
- Cook the blackberries. Add the water, sugar, salt, and fresh blackberries to a large pan. Cook on low-medium heat until the berries begin to pop and release their juices. It will generally take about 7 minutes for this to happen. Make sure to stir often.
- Add the lemon cornstarch mixture. Whisk together the lemon juice and cornstarch to make a slurry. Slowly stir it into the berry mixture.
- Let it thicken. Continue cooking and stirring for another 3-4 minutes or until the filling thickens.
- Cool and refrigerate. Remove the pan from the stove and spoon into a container. Let it cool slightly, then place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top to keep a skin from forming as it cools more. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Storage Recommendations
Store the blackberry filling in a covered container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The filling can be used in any recipe that calls for blackberry pie filling.
The pie filling can be frozen in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If it is slightly watery, drain the excess liquid off before using.
How to Use
The sweet and juicy homemade pie filling is a delicious way to use up summer berries. It has a sweet and tart flavor that everyone loves. There are so many great ways to enjoy it.
- Bake a blackberry pie. Pour the cooled filling in a bottom pie crust, cover with a lattice crust, and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Add a spoonful of filling to the center of these mini puff pancakes or on top of waffles or pancakes.
- Swirls of blackberry pie filling make this easy blackberry cheesecake pie so pretty and delicious.
- A pan of these blackberry crumble bars and vanilla ice cream is the perfect summer dessert.
- Layers of pie filling, granola, and Greek yogurt makes the prettiest parfaits.
Tips and Tricks
- Remove any stems or leaves from the berries before using. Gently rinse and pat dry, if needed.
- Adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe if your berries taste extra sweet. You want the flavor and natural sweetness from the blackberries to be the star.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the finished pie filling to give it a different flavor profile.
- Lemon zest can also be added to the pie filling to give it a stronger lemon flavor.
- The pie filling will only be slightly thick when you remove it from the stove top. It will thicken more after it cools.
- Use clear-jel instead of cornstarch, if you are going to can the filling.
Recipe FAQs
Cornstarch is one of the most common ways to thicken a pie filling. You can also use clear-jel, flour, or tapioca. Do NOT use cornstarch if you are going to can homemade pie filling.
If fresh berries are unavailable, you can use bags of frozen berries. Make sure to thaw the blackberries completely, then drain all the excess liquid very well before making the filling.
You may need to add a little more cornstarch to thicken the pie filling when using thawed frozen berries.
Mash the blackberries after they pop and release their juices. Press spoonfuls of the cooked berries through a fine mesh sieve.
Use the back of the spoon to press the mixture firmly against the sieve. Remove the excess pulp and berries and repeat until all the fruit has been pressed through.
Place the juice mixture back in the pan and add the cornstarch slurry. Cook until thickened. FYI: Removing the seeds and fruit pulp will result in LESS filling.
More Homemade Pie Filling
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling
- Cherry Pie Filling
- Strawberry Pie Filling Recipe
- Homemade Blueberry Pie Filling
- Pineapple Filling
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Recipe
Blackberry Pie Filling Recipe
With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can make a delicious Blackberry Pie Filling that is bursting with flavor. Use this homemade pie filling recipe as a topping for cheesecake or bake it into a pie or cobbler.
Ingredients
- 2 pints fresh blackberries (12 ounces)
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Stir together the water, sugar, salt, and blackberries in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the berries begin to pop and release their juices. This usually takes about 6-7 minutes. Once this happens, reduce the heat to low.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and lemon juice to make a slurry. Slowly stir it into the blackberry mixture.
- Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Swirl it into a cheesecake or bake it in a pie.
- If you are making the pie filling ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until you are ready to use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 79Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 5gSugar: 13gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
doris
what is the oven temp to make the pie cuz you said bake for 45 to 50 mins
Jocelyn
Start at 425°F and bake for 20 minutes. Then LOWER oven temperature to 375°F and bake an additional 35 minutes. Place pie crust shields on the edges of the crust when you lower the temperature, so the edges do not brown too quickly.
Clarrisa Bartholomew
I tried to use sure jell so I am able to can this pie filling, but it didn't set. I used the same amount of sure jell as the recipe calls for cornstarch. Any advice to get it to set?
Jocelyn
It should be the same amount to replace the cornstarch with sure jell. I've never had a problem with it setting up. How long did you cook it? You don't want to remove it from the heat until it thickens. It will also thicken as it cools, and then especially when it is chilled in the fridge.
Vee
what size pie will this fill? does not seem like very much filling
Jocelyn
You would need to double the recipe if you are using it in a 9 inch pie crust. We usually use it swirled in cheesecakes.
Rosalyn Greer
Will this recipe(corn starch) can well?
Jocelyn
This recipe as written will freeze fine, but I would not can it unless you change out the cornstarch. Cornstarch is not safe to use when canning. It is recommended to use ClearJel which is a modified cornstarch that is safe for canning.
Tammy
Have you tried doing this with frozen berries?
Jocelyn
For the best texture in your filling, I would recommend the fresh berries because they hold up better. That being said, you can use frozen blackberries. Thaw and drain all the excess liquid then follow the directions. Because of any extra liquids, you may need to use 2 tablespoons cornstarch to thicken it properly. I hope you enjoy it!
Christina
Can I use Splenda
Jocelyn
I haven't made it with anything other than sugar, so I can't so for sure. But I think that would work just fine to use Splenda or another sweetener. Keep me posted on how it turns out.
Sandra
My mother-in-law used to make blackberry cobbler cooking the berries like your recipe. The different thing she did was cook pie crust on a cookie sheet, break it up when done, and then put pieces of the crust in a bowl. She poured some of the blueberries over the crust and added ice cream. Yummy and the crust is crispy!