The Hoosier Hill Farm Instant Clear Jel, 1.5 lbs.

This Clear Jel is great stuff! There don't seem to be a lot of recipes on how to use it well in various ways so I've been experimenting with both this Instant Clear Jel and the one that requires cooking. Of the 2 - I like this one the best as you can determine the thickness of the final product instantly. I don't can foods, but I do make Berry Pies and this is absolutely perfect for making pies. You have to adjust the amount you use to the "type" of fruit, Fresh or Frozen fruit, the amount of fruit and the ripeness of the fruit as some fruits produce more juice than others -- but it's now my go-to thickener for berry pies. I particularly like its texture - and you can instantly make it as thick or thin as you want. BEST - you don't have to cook it. Wonderful blackberry pie!!! I first precook my own homemade pie shell - let it cool. Once the shell is cool, I sweeten fresh or frozen blackberries (I prefer frozen) with Sugar till thawed and juicy - about an hour. Then I add (1 T at a time) the Clear Jel to the Berry/Juice/Sugar Mixture and gently stir it. It thickens up immediately - no cooking. For a firm set pie (doesn't run) I use the full 3 T of Clear Jel for Berries that fill of the 9.5" pie shell. If you want it thinner, somewhat juicier or more runny, just add less till it's the texture you like. It holds up wonderfully in the Refrigerator as well.

I'd already been looking into this for the possibility of making homemade instant pudding mix, but what really put me over the edge was when my last mixed berry crisp came out way too watery. I use frozen berries, and cornstarch just doesn't have the thickening power needed to make them set up. Just yesterday I tried again after having ordered this wonderful stuff. I whisked together 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of instant clearjel, and then tossed my 1 lb. of frozen berries in that before adding them to the 9" round cake pan and covering with the crisp topping. The results were miraculous! My berry crisp set up perfectly, instead of the pan soaking in loose berry juices that were difficult to scoop up. The crisp mix I prefer is Concord Fresh Success apple crisp mix, and I like to use a pound of frozen mixed berries that includes blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. That extra tartness makes for a wonderful holiday dessert, and the acidity didn't interfere with the clearjel's thickening power. One important tip: I read that you really do need to mix this with sugar to change how quickly the clearjel absorbs liquid, so it doesn't clump. Obviously for sugar-free recipes you'd use whatever sweetener you prefer.

I can not say enough about this product, we love this. I make homemade pudding and pie filling and this works like a charm. I will definitely be buying this again. If you are thinking about buying this, just do it and you will not be disappointed.

First, it is best to mix the powder with a non-liquid first then add the liquid. In my case I mix it into sugar first then add the liquid. This reduces the clumps.

Works wonderfully, but would prefer if it had been gluten free.