Begin by peeling your apples and slicing them into even pieces. Toss them in lemon juice to keep the color bright and fresh—it also enhances the flavor!

In a medium saucepan, mix together the water, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and apple pie spice. This mixture will create a lovely syrup to envelop your apples.

Bring the saucepan to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 2 minutes. You want the mixture to thicken slightly, forming a silky base for your filling.

Gently stir your sliced apples into the bubbling mixture. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 6-8 minutes, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the salted butter for added richness. Allow the filling to cool before using it, or store it in an airtight container if you’re saving it for later.