Recipe: Southern Pecan Pie using Homemade Fruit Sweetener

SOUTHERN PECAN PIE

1 unbaked pie shell
1 cup fruit sweetener, commercial or homemade (recipe follows)
1 tbsp cornmeal
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce or apple butter
3 tbsp water
2 tbsp cornstarch
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp very strong coffee or espresso (prepared - not grounds)
24 pecan halves

Prepare pastry and place in 9-inch pie pan.

In large bowl, combine fruit sweetener, cornmeal and applesauce or apple butter; beat with electric mixer.

In small bowl, blend 3 tablespoons water and cornstarch until smooth. Add to fruit sweetener mixture and blend. Beat in eggs one at a time.

Stir in vanilla and coffee. Pour mixture into pie shell. Decorate top with pecan halves.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until custard is set. Cool slightly before cutting.

HOMEMADE FRUIT SWEETENER

Commercial fruit sweeteners are available at health food stores.

4 cups fruit juice*
Sweet One, to taste (optional)

Cook fruit juice until it is reduced to one cup. If you like it sweeter add Sweet One.

*Good juices to use are apple, orange, pineapple, pineapple- orange, and grape.

VARIATIONS:
- If a recipe calls for 1/2 cup fruit sweetener, use 1/2 cup frozen fruit juice plus half as much (1/4 cup) granulated fructose.
- If 2/3 cup is called for use 2/3 cup frozen fruit juice concentrate plus 1/3 cup granulated fructose.

Makes 1 (9-inch) pie, 10 servings
Source: Sweet Inspirations Sugar Free Dessert Cookbook by Ron and Patti Lynch