So over Labor Day weekend, we picked almost 30 pounds of apples. There remain about 5 apples in the fridge, that we will snack on this week. But our surplus is not gone!
Much of it is packed away nicely in the freezer.
After making 3 big batches of slow cooker applesauce (2 of which are in the freezer, and the other long gone!), I also made 2 pies worth of filling for the holidays.
I mixed, tossed and then froze it all together.
When it comes time to bake the pies, I plan to thaw the filling before making the pie. Two reasons.
- I did not freeze the apples in the shape of a pie pan. So it might bake funny if I try to cook it from frozen.
- I do not want to ruin my crust by having the frozen pie bake twice as long as normal. Crusts are very sensitive and I have no had luck in the past baking them from frozen (even with adjusting temperatures, baking with foil over them and with pie crust shield).
Once thaw, I can bake the pie as I would if I’d just made the filling. Add filling to shell, add a few teaspoons of butter, add crust to top of pie, add vents and decorations. Bake!
Apple Pie Filling - Freezer Friendly!
Ingredients
- 8 medium apples I used Golden delicious
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Dash of allspice
- Dash of cardamom
Instructions
- Peel, core and thinly slice all the apples.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice, brown sugar and spices.
- Place in a freezer baggie and then press as much air out of the bag and seal.
- Freeze, up to 3 months.
And I love that I can cross one thing off my holiday prep list! I’ve got the pies taken care of…
Now, if only I could get my Christmas cards out before March!!!!
(I really did send them in March this year. Eeks!)
Debbie says
This looks great — think that might be on our menu tonight. And don’t feel bad, one year I just could not get cards done so I did New Years cards — they just thought it was planned and it didn’t get lost among all the other Christmas cards.
Christie says
Nice! Definitely doing this one! Thx for sharing 🙂
Michelle says
Fantastic idea! I have a apple pie recipe that calls for Ida Red and Granny Smith apples. Ida Reds don’t last too long, so this would be great for closer to Christmas! Thanks!!!
Kelly Hess says
Love it! We picked 27# of apples this weekend. I made one batch of crock pot applesauce and one pie and I barely made a dent in my apples, I will definitely try this! Anyone have a good recipe for just cinnamon apples, like the ones you can buy from Stouffer’s that I can freeze for the holidays??
http://spendless2savemore.blogspot.com/2011/09/27-of-apples-and-applesauce.html
Tiffany says
This is great! I simply love apple’s especially the Granny Smith apples and my husband and son love applesauce and apple pies. I have never actually made homemade applesauce is there anyway you can put that up. The filling sounds like it will be great!!
Lora Dugan says
Place applesauce in clean Jars, place flats and lids on jars and hot water bath 5 min for pints 10 min for quarts.
Shara says
Peep and decore apples, put in a pot and add 2 cinnamon sticks and 1″ of liquid. If you like a little sweeter apple sauce, 1/4 brown sugar and 1/4 regular sugar. Most recipes call for water but I use apple cider. Bring to boil then cover and reduce heat to med-low for about 30 minutes. Then remove cinnamon sticks and blend and you have apple sauce.
kimmy says
I freeze applesauce in qt bags…
kate says
@Kelly: http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com/2011/07/fake-stouffers-harvest-apples.html I have made those int he past and my family loves them!!! They are so delicious. I do make changes to it though I actually peel the apples because we have discovered we dont’ care much for the skin on them & I substitute sucanat instead of brown sugar. 🙂 Those are also good if you take them out of the freezer & let them sit for like half an hour then eat them kind of frozen lol my daughter loves them like that when it’s hot out hehe 🙂
karen says
wha? you sent your christmas cards in march? goodness! I have mine ready to go(stamped, addressed, labeled) so now I just wait until around december 1st. still hunting up x-mas presents for the ppl. I know what to get my mom at least.
Peggy says
Home made applesauce is extremely easy to make . I don’t do it in a crock pot. Just a pan on the stoe. I made it with my 4 year old pre-k class and the vote was unanimous that they loved it!
Becasuse I use a food processor I don’t even always peeol the apples. Once it goes through the food processor you can’t even tell there were any peels in it, except that the color is a little different.
Core d(and peel if desired) apples. Cut into quarters or sliced like you would for apple pie. The samller the pieces the quicker it cooks. I usually use 6 large ones per batch
1/4 cup sugar (if desired–more or less to suit your taste)
1/2 cup water
cinnamon (optional)
put prepared apples in a pan and add the water to prevent them from sticking or burning before they cook. Bring to a boil. Add usgar and cinnamon to taste. Turn down heat a little and let cook until apples are mushy. Remove form stove and dump into food processor. Run food processor on high for 3-5 minutes or until sauce is the consistency you like. Transfer to bowl and cool in fridge. Eat! (or put in freezer bags and freeze for fresh applesauce in the winter)
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Thanks for sharing Peggy! Sounds easy enough!!!
Erin
Lora Dugan says
Have mad this pie filling before, its delicous. For a twist add a couple of tblspons quick oats, in place of some of the flour.
Angela Ponder says
Nice thanks for the reply! I think I will keep this handy… we go apple picking in October.
Linda says
Don’t feel bad about sending your cards in March. We had a rough holiday this year, so I opted to send my cards out in July! Who says we can’t have Christmas in July! It was very liberating! 🙂
Diane West says
I’ve got spy’s. Do I use more sugar?
Leslie says
Thank you so much for sharing! I just went to the apple orchard Friday and am processing them today after church.
Angela Ponder says
I thought I was the only one that sent out Christmas Cards late! Oh my I think I was a month late. I sent them anyhow. I thought hey if they can’t appreciate them it’s there loss not mine. Right?
Sjk says
I just followed this it is thanksgiving now I plan to have this fresh apple pie for Xmas yum