If you’re a peach lover, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as homemade Peach Filling. This sweet, glossy, and wonderfully spoonable fruit mixture is a summertime essential that transforms every dessert it touches. Baking a juicy peach pie, stuffing turnovers, or even just topping vanilla ice cream, this Peach Filling delivers the lush flavor of ripe fruit in every bite. Whether you pick sun-warmed peaches or dive right in with frozen slices, this recipe is your golden ticket to peach perfection all year long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Peach Filling lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating a vibrant, sweet, and just-tart-enough filling that’s irresistible in pies, crisps, cobblers, and more.

Peaches (32 ounces, fresh or frozen): The star of the show! Fresh peaches bring the best flavor, but frozen are a fantastic shortcut—just make sure to peel and slice for the perfect texture.
Water or peach juice (8 ounces): This helps the peaches break down and become gloriously saucy—try peach juice for an extra punch of fruitiness.
White sugar (6 ounces): Balances the natural tartness of the peaches and builds the glossy syrup we all love in a good filling.
Brown sugar (2 ounces): Adds depth and a hint of caramel-like richness, making the flavor more complex.
Cinnamon (1/8 teaspoon): Just enough to warm things up without overwhelming the peaches’ natural aroma.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch is all you need to make the flavors pop and keep the filling from tasting flat.
ClearJel (2 ounces) or cornstarch (1.5 ounces): The key to that luxurious, pie-shop-perfect shine and thickness—ClearJel is ideal, but cornstarch works too!
Cool water (2 ounces): Creates the slurry that thickens everything up without clumping.
Lemon juice (2 tablespoons): A bright note that keeps the filling from becoming too sweet and helps preserve that sunny color.
Clear vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a beautiful sweetness and roundness at the very end—clear vanilla won’t muddy the lovely peach hue.

How to Make Peach Filling

Step 1: Prep the Peaches

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing the peaches. Decide on your cut size based on your dessert dreams—bite-sized cubes for hand pies or hearty slices for classic peach pie. Always remove the skins since they can get tough and chewy once cooked. If using frozen peaches, you can jump straight into slicing, no peeling required!

Step 2: Start the Peach Filling Mixture

Place your prepped peaches in a large saucepan over medium heat, then pour in the water (or peach juice), white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. This is where the magic begins as the sugars melt and the peaches start to soften, soaking up all that lovely sweetness and spice.

Step 3: Cook to Your Perfect Texture

Let the peach mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally. How long you cook it depends on whether you’re using fresh or frozen peaches, and whether you like your Peach Filling with firm fruit, or if you’re on team velvety-soft. Taste as you go until you hit your texture sweet spot.

Step 4: Thicken with a Slurry

In a separate bowl, whisk your ClearJel (or cornstarch) with cool water to create a silky slurry—no lumps allowed. This quick step is what ensures your Peach Filling is perfectly glossy and sliceable, not runny or gloopy.

Step 5: Add the Slurry and Thicken the Filling

Pour the slurry into the bubbling peaches and stir well. Watch the mixture slowly transform, thickening up and gaining that beautiful clarity. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more, and once everything looks rich and inviting, keep it on the heat for one extra minute to make sure the thickener is fully activated.

Step 6: Finish with Lemon Juice and Vanilla

Remove your pan from the heat, then gently stir in the lemon juice and clear vanilla extract. These finishing touches wake up the peach flavors and fill your kitchen with the most mouthwatering aroma. Give the filling a taste—a little more lemon or vanilla can be added if you love an extra-bright zing.

Step 7: Store or Use the Peach Filling

Pour your piping-hot Peach Filling into clean jars or containers if you’re saving it for later, or let it cool slightly before using in your favorite dessert. This recipe is perfect for canning or freezing so you can savor sun-kissed peaches well after the season’s over.

How to Serve Peach Filling

Garnishes

Dress up your Peach Filling with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream, or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts for a crowd-pleasing finish. Fresh mint or a dusting of extra cinnamon adds a fresh pop, while a drizzle of honey highlights the natural sweetness.

Side Dishes

This sweet filling pairs wonderfully with simple vanilla custards, buttery pound cake, or biscuits for an impromptu shortcake. For special brunches, serve it over creamy Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to make the morning feel as luxurious as dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Don’t limit yourself to pies! This Peach Filling shines in turnovers, pastries, crepes, and as a decadent layer in trifles. Stir it into oatmeal, spoon it onto pancakes, or swirl it through cheesecake batter before baking for unexpected hits of fruity flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Peach Filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It stays glossy and delicious, making it just as good for spur-of-the-moment crumbles as it is for late-night cravings. Give it a gentle stir before serving for best texture.

Freezing

If you want to hang onto summer’s bounty, Peach Filling freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Flattening the bags can save space and help the filling thaw evenly later—expect six months of peak flavor with no worries!

Reheating

To enjoy from the fridge or freezer, simply warm your Peach Filling on the stovetop over low heat, or give it short bursts in the microwave, stirring often. If it thickens up too much after chilling, just add a tiny splash of water to loosen it to the perfect texture again.

FAQs

Can I use canned peaches for Peach Filling?

Absolutely! Canned peaches can be used in this recipe. Just drain them well, and be sure to adjust the sugar since most canned peaches are packed in syrup. It’s a great shortcut when fresh or frozen aren’t available.

Is ClearJel really necessary?

ClearJel gives Peach Filling that perfectly clear, bakery-style gloss and precise thickness, but cornstarch is a perfectly good backup. The main difference is that ClearJel holds up better if you’re planning to can or freeze the filling.

Can I make Peach Filling sugar-free?

You can swap in your favorite sugar substitute! Granulated alternatives designed for baking will dissolve best. You might find the flavor slightly different, but the peaches will still shine.

How do I keep Peach Filling from being too runny?

Be sure to simmer long enough after adding your thickener so the filling becomes truly glossy and thick. If using frozen peaches, they tend to release more juice, so you may need an extra teaspoon of thickener for best results.

Can I add other fruits to the filling?

Definitely! Try mixing in other stone fruits like nectarines or plums, or toss in a handful of berries. Blending flavors can make a truly unique and colorful Peach Filling your family will love.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how often this Peach Filling has saved a last-minute dessert or brightened up a weeknight treat at my house. With just a handful of ingredients and a quick simmer on the stove, you’ll have a jar of sunshine ready for whatever craving strikes. Give it a try and let the taste of perfect peaches inspire your kitchen all year round!