With only 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes, you can have a fruit filling for cake or pie that is hands-down better than any canned filling. But don't stop there, this is also great inside turnovers, or as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and french toast.
Skip to:
This fruit cake filling is going to blow your mind. And your nostrils. Really. Just try simmering this on the stove. It's better than a candle! Plus it makes the perfect air freshener if you're trying to sell your house. So yummy!
🥇 Why it’s great!
- The best thing is that this recipe is so versatile. It can be used in between layers of cake, as a pie filling, inside turnovers or hand pies, drizzled on ice cream, but it is also amazing on breakfast staples like pancakes, waffles or french toast.
- It takes 4 simple ingredients that you probably have in your freezer and pantry already. Use the frozen fruit of your choice or even substitute fresh berries.
- From start to finish it takes no longer than 10 minutes. Plus it has incredible flavor! Bam! Homemade deliciousness in a jiffy.
🍓 Ingredients
You only need 4 simple ingredients for this recipe.
Fruit: We use frozen mixed berries, but feel free to use one type if you prefer.
Sugar: Even though seasonal berries are sweet, a little sugar is essential for getting the best cake filling to the correct consistency.
Lemon juice: A touch of lemon juice brings out the flavor of the berries.
Cornstarch: The perfect thickener for mixed berry cake filling.
🎂How to make easy fruit filling for cakes
Combine sugar, berries, lemon juice, and cornstarch into saucepan over low to medium heat.
Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
For a chunkier sauce use a fork or potato masher to press the largest pieces into smaller bites. It's a great filling as is, but if you want a smoother texture feel free to blend it with an immersion blender to your desired consistency. For an even smoother sauce strain the blended sauce through a metal strainer to remove the seeds.
Allow the filling to cool to room temperature before using. Store in an airtight container or in a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap. Note: It will get a thicker consistency as it cools.
For a chunkier sauce use a fork or potato masher to press the largest pieces into smaller bites. It's a great filling as is, but if you want a smoother texture feel free to blend it with an immersion blender to your desired consistency. For an even smoother sauce strain the blended sauce through a metal strainer to remove the seeds.
Allow the filling to cool to room temperature before using. Store in an airtight container or in a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap. Note: It will get a thicker consistency as it cools.
👨👩👧👦 For a crowd
This recipe makes 4 cups of fruit filling, which typically serves about 12-16 people when used as a topping or sauce. You can easily double or triple the recipes in a large pot to serve more.
👨🏼🍳 Tips & Tricks
If you realize you want a thicker sauce after you've started cooking it, do not add more cornstarch directly to the sauce. For best results, whisk each additional tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then add to sauce and continue cooking until thickened.
🙋 Questions & Answers
If you store it in a sealed container or jar in the fridge it will keep well for 7-10 days. Allow it to cool before storing in order to prevent condensation, which will add extra water to the sauce.
Yes, you can substitute with 7-8 cups of fresh blueberries, fresh blackberries, fresh raspberries, or fresh strawberries. A fresh fruit filling for all types of sweet desserts.
Frozen triple berries is a mix of blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. However, some mixed berry packages may include strawberries as well. You can use triple berries or mixed berries - both are equally delicious!
This delicious recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the sauce. The thickness can be adjusted depending on the use. If you want a filling instead of a sauce, use more cornstarch for extra thickness (see recipe card). Also know that the sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Cake filling is meant to go in between layers of cake. Lemon curd, chantilly cream, berry sauce, chocolate ganache, frostings, compote, and whipped cream are all popular cake filling options.
📖 How to use berry cake filling
- Spoon some of it on top of shortcake, sponge cake, angel food cake or this Lemon Loaf Cake. Add a dollop of whipped cream and you are good to go!
- This makes a perfect pairing for these Famous Farm Pancakes, french toast, for waffles, or for crepes.
- It has the perfect flavor as a filling for this Berry Cobbler with Cake Mix!
- Berry Fool is an easy recipe and a great way to serve a low heat dessert. Take heavy whipping cream and whip on medium speed until soft peaks are formed - avoid allowing the heavy cream to reach stiff peaks. Them spoon a dollop into a glass. Top with a spoonful of this mixed berry cake filling. Repeat until the glass is full. A great idea for when you have a little cake filling leftover.
- Serve it over ice cream, in a pie, in turnovers, or in hand pies.
🎂 Delicious cakes:
- Lemon Coffee Cake: Lemon Cake recipes are made even more delicious with fresh lemon curd plus a little lemon zest.
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cake: The yellow cake ingredients, including a raspberry filling and whipped cream frosting top of the cake, come together to create a perfect cake. A good idea for anyone who loves fruity cakes.
- Chocolate Cake: With coffee in every part of this chocolate layer cake, it's next level delicious for any special occasion. It's an amazing rich chocolate cake with moist crumbs, and, instead of American buttercream or chocolate ganache, it's topped with an easy fudge chocolate frosting.
- Carrot Cake with Pineapple And Coconut Bundt Cake: Whipped cream cheese frosting on top of a perfectly spiced carrot Bundt cake. A favorite sweet treat!
👋🏻 Connect with us!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!
📋 Recipe
Super Easy Fruit Cake Filling - With Only 4 Ingredients!
Equipment
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds triple berry mix frozen
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch plus more if needed
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients in a sauce pan. Use 3 tablespoons of cornstarch if you are making a sauce or topping. Use 4 tablespoons of cornstarch if you want a filling.2 pounds triple berry mix, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Allow to cool. If you want a smoother finished product blend with immersion blender to desired texture. For a completely smooth texture, strain blended sauce through a metal strainer until all seeds are removed. Store until ready to use.
Notes
- If you realize you want a thicker sauce after you've started cooking it, do not add more cornstarch directly to the sauce. Whisk each additional tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then add to sauce and continue cooking until thickened.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Michele says
Wonderful recipe! And I love the storing information being added, very helpful!
Danielle says
Thanks so much for taking a minute to let us know! So glad you enjoyed it.
Krista says
This is a great and easy recipe. I didn't have lemon juice but did have tru lemon packets so used 1 with a bit of water. We layered this filling in yogurt parfaits and it was delicious!
Misty says
Sounds great with yogurt parfaits. We're glad you enjoyed it!
Amber says
What if I don't have lemon juice...Is there a substitute that may be used?
Danielle says
Good question. I'm thinking orange or lime should work. I haven't tried it myself so it's hard to say, but if you give it a try let me know how it turns out.
Aspen says
I can’t believe how easy a versatile this stuff is! Great in Greek yogurt, I love it as a syrup alternative for pancakes, and it’s even delicious to steal a little spoonful of when raiding the fridge for a snack, haha.
Misty says
I love the yogurt idea! Sounds great with some granola on top 😀