If you’ve tasted enough pies in your life, you’ll know that the pie filling can make or break the delicious dessert. So what is one to do when you want to make a tasty but simple strawberry pie but don’t have the time or resources to make your own strawberry pie filling? You learn how to make canned strawberry pie filling taste better.
But just because you’re opting for an easier option doesn’t mean you can’t make the strawberry pie recipe of your dreams. Our other blog posts, How to Make Canned Blueberry Pie Filling Taste Better, How to Make Canned Cherry Pie Filling Taste Better, and How to Improve Canned Peach Pie Filling are evidence of that.
Here, we’ll show you exactly how you can make an easy strawberry pie that tastes just like Grandma used to make. Let’s get baking!
Canned Strawberry Pie Filling vs. Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling
Besides being premade vs. homemade, other differences between homemade and canned strawberry filling are that the store-bought version usually includes corn starch or other thickeners and preservatives, while the homemade option is usually made with just fruit and sugar.
Canned strawberry pie filling is also sweeter than the homemade variety, as it often contains a higher amount of sugar to make it more palatable and prolong its shelf life.
Regardless of which type you use for your pies, one thing’s for sure: a little help never hurt anyone when making a strawberry pie recipe!
How to Make Canned Strawberry Pie Filling Taste Better
Ready to bake up that delicious strawberry pie? Here are a few things you can do to make canned strawberry pie filling taste better.
Add Fresh Fruit
It is a fruit pie, after all, so why not add fresh strawberries, fresh cherries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries to the canned filling? Doing this will give the pie more depth of flavor, making it even more delicious.
Thicken It Up
Canned strawberry pie filling can often have more liquid than fruit, leaving you with a runny filling that won’t hold up once cut. To help thicken the canned strawberry pie filling, add some cornstarch or tapioca starch to it.
Doing this will give the filling a nice creamy texture and make sure your pie is held together when cut for serving.
Make It Citrusy
The flavor of strawberries pairs deliciously with citrus. To give your canned strawberry pie filling an extra boost of flavor, add some lemon juice, freshly grated lemon, lime, or orange zest directly to the filling before you bake it.
Add Flavor Extracts
Give your pie filling extra flavor by adding a few drops of either vanilla or almond extract directly to the filling. This will provide an extra layer of flavor that is subtle yet delicious.
Make It Sweeter
Is your canned strawberry pie filling not sweet enough? Depending on your taste, you can either combine sugar and brown sugar to sweeten up the filling or add in some of your favorite sweet syrup like honey, agave, or maple. Just a few tablespoons should do the trick!
Spice It Up
You can’t go wrong with spicing up your canned strawberry pie filling. Mix a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom into the filling to give your dessert a unique flavor.
You could also combine cinnamon and sugar together, which never disappoints. Just add in a little at a time and taste to prevent overpowering the filling.
Make It Creamy
If you’re a fan of creamy desserts, adding a creamy element to your pie filling will certainly take it up a notch in taste and texture. You can add sour cream, cream cheese, or even whipped cream for an extra special treat.
Add Toppings
When all else fails, top the pie with some delicious additions. Toppings like oats, shredded coconut, or crushed nuts will add a delightful crunch and texture to the pie.
For an especially decadent touch, sprinkle on some chocolate chips or top with whipped cream or ice cream!
FAQs – How to Make Canned Strawberry Pie Filling Taste Better
Does canned pie filling need to be cooked?
Canned pie fillings are already pre-cooked, so no additional cooking is needed. This makes them a great choice when looking for ingredients to create delicious no-bake desserts.
With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up an impressive-looking treat that requires very little effort!
Does canned strawberry pie filling go bad?
Eventually, yes. Canned strawberry pie filling has a shelf life of about 12 months when properly sealed and stored in the pantry. After that point, it may begin to lose its flavor and texture. Be sure to refrigerate after opening.
Do you put pie filling in hot or cold?
Neither. It’s best to fill your pie with room-temperature filling. This will help ensure that the filling will spread easily and the puff pastry sitting atop it will cook more evenly.
Cold filling from the fridge is stiff and difficult to pack into your crust, while hot filling can cause soggy bottoms.