The Secret Ingredient For Creamy Cherry Pie Filling

There is something inherently classic about a cherry pie. It could be that the ruby red color looks stunning against white plates, it could be the absolutely divine flaky crust or the blend of sweet and tart flavors that just light up your mouth in the best possible way. But even though we like cherry pie just the way it is, there are quite a few tricks out there to liven it up. Some recipes call for pineapple, a zing of orange zest, or a latticework top crusted with brown sugar; these are all fabulous ways to elevate this traditional fruit pie. But we have a new secret ingredient you must try during your next foray into baking. 

If you are making a cherry pie outside of the fruit's natural season, odds are that you went over to the canned goods aisle and plucked a premade filling right off the shelf. Unfortunately, when you open up the can you might be more than a bit underwhelmed. But while you're at the store make sure to snag a can of sweetened condensed milk before you head to the checkout line. It will make all the difference.

What's so special about sweetened condensed milk? Well, it's not like the normal milk you buy in gallons. Usually, sweetened condensed milk comes in a very small can, but for good reason: It is powerfully creamy and sweet and little goes a long way. Condensed milk is milk with its water removed through the evaporation process according to Bon Appétit. After the water is evaporated out, a lot of sugar is added. This extends the shelf life of the product by preventing unwanted bacterial growth. Sweet, creamy, and thick in nature, sweetened condensed milk is the perfect secret ingredient for your cherry pie.

Here is what to do once you have your filling and milk: Pour the cherry filling into a bowl and slowly add in your sweetened condensed milk. Like we said before, the stuff is powerful and you should taste test before adding each spoonful. Stop once you've reached your desired amount. The Tasty Tip notes that by adding sweetened condensed milk, the cherry filling will lose some of that vibrant red and become a little milky in color, but in turn, the pie will become extra delicious!