Deloris's Apple Pie Filling

I have a huge family full of great cooks. My Aunt Deloris is no exception. Deloris is the oldest of my Grandma's living children. Grandma's first daughter died at birth because the doctor was drunk and didn't clean her mouth out. She was never able to take her first breath. I know we can't imagine that happening, but things were different over 70 years ago when doctors came to your house to deliver your babies. My Grandma was only 14 years old and heartbroken. At 15 she became pregnant again with Aunt Deloris and the pattern was set for delivering babies about every 2 years. My mother's the youngest and my Grandma was actually pregnant with her the same time my Aunt Charlotte was pregnant with her first child. We joke because my grandma's one of the first women her doctor put on the birth control pill. After the 12th child I think it was time! Now, my Aunt Deloris is 71 and my grandma is 87. My grandma and Deloris have a very special relationship. They're close enough in age to act more like best friends than mother and daughter. Like grandma, Aunt Deloris has magic fingers and is an excellent cook. She brought an apple cobbler to our Easter dinner filled with the best ever apple filling. I love the recipe because it makes enough of the filling mixture for several pies and it can be frozen until you want to use it. It is unique because the filling doesn't contain any apples. You mix fresh sliced apples with the filling when you are ready to make the pie. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we have :)

DELORIS'S APPLE PIE FILLING
Filling Mixture
5 1/2 - 6 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
7 cups water
3 TBSP lemon juice

In a large saucepan blend sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, water and cook, stirring frequently until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Add lemon juice and remove from heat.

To assemble pie or cobbler: Mix 8 cups sliced apples with 2 cups of filling mixture. Stir well so all apple slices are coated. Pour crust and bake at 425 until golden and bubbly.

Freeze the rest of the filling in containers filled with 2 cups of filling mixture.


Happy Mother's Day