To commemorate Independence Day - be sure to see how this fruit glaze can be used to make Patriotic Pie (at the end of this post)  With a shot of whipping cream, you have a delicious dessert of red, white, and blue!

If you’re not familiar with Danish Dessert - I don’t know what to say, other than I’m sorry for your loss.  I can’t remember my life without it.  I understand in certain parts of the USA it is nigh to impossible to find - but in Utah it is very easy to locate (EXCEPT during berry season, of course!)  Another Utah eccentricity that we who live here just accept as part of our everyday life...

If you are familiar with this tasty red pudding/glaze/topping/etc... - you might enjoy reminiscing about it at the Junket website here:

If not, let me introduce you to the most delicious and versatile glaze around...  This version is not so un-naturally red or intense in flavor as the boxed brand - it compliments fruit instead of overtaking it.   It doesn’t set up as rigid as the purchased version - which is (almost always) a good thing!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

4 Tbs cornstarch

1 pkg UNsweetened Kool-Aid

    (strawberry OR raspberry flavor, of course!)

2 cups cold water

fruit of your choice

Blend cornstarch, sugar, and Kool-Aid powder with a wire wisk in a saucepan (or microwave-safe pyrex glass measure).  Bring to a boil, stirring until thickened.  Let cool (covered with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent a skin from forming).  Add fruit just before serving.

Sugar can be added (or reduced) to your personal preference.  If you want a deeper red color, add a few drops of red food coloring. 

For a PATRIOTIC Looking Pie:

Use the Buttery Pastry Crust recipe (HERE) and half the recipe.  Roll out and form single crust pastry. 

To keep the crust from shrinking as you bake it - chill briefly, then line loosely with foil.  Place a smaller tin pie plate in center of foil - bake as directed.  Near the end of baking time, remove foil and pie plate - then finish baking until golden brown. 

Add sliced strawberries, raspberries, & blackberries (blueberries would be another good choice...) - folding in gently.  Spoon into cooled crust.  Chill a few hours before serving with WHITE whipped cream. 

One additional note:

This idea can be used for other flavors as well - get creative with lemon, orange, tropical fruit, etc... to add to a myriad of fresh, frozen, or canned fruits.  And you would be amazed to find out what Kool-Aid powder can actually DYE (yarn, fabric, etc...)