Sugar Free Pie
Are you a sugar addict? Do you know someone that is? My husband and I went to a family reunion and there was a 6 foot long table full of home made desserts, including several pies, not sugar free pies I’m sure. An elderly relative I’ll call Bud, had his eye on those delectable desserts. His wife was ready for dessert and asked him what he’d like. He requested some pie. She brought him a slice of pumpkin pie with a small dollop of whipped cream. He’s diabetic and she thought that would be the closest thing to a sugar free pie.
Awhile later, as I passed Bud’s table on my way to the dessert table, he stopped me and asked if I’d bring him some cherry pie. His wife was at another table talking with a group of ladies, and I had no knowledge that he’d already had some pie, so I granted his request. Later in the day when my husband and I were on our way home, we were commenting about the great food and all the wonderful pies. I mentioned that Bud asked me to get him some cherry pie; my husband’s eyebrows arched as he told me that Bud asked him for some chocolate cream pie. He continued, “Just as I set the pie down in front of Bud, his wife came back and scolded him for having a second piece of pie. She said his blood sugar is going to be out of whack because none of them were sugar free pies!” Omigosh, is it ever, I thought to myself.
Last fall I took a trip to Wisconsin with two lady friends and visited a mutual friend, Judy, who owns a health food store. While there I was introduced to Stevia, which is an all natural sweet herb. Judy gave me a few packets to take home and try. She said Stevia has thirty times the sweetness of sugar and one teaspoonful of Stevia powder equals 2-3 cups of sugar. She suggested mixing it with water, then adding it to recipes and drinks to taste. The packets contained the herb in powder form. I found Stevia in the grocery store where we most frequently shop. I decided to get an extra box and give it to Bud’s wife. I don’t know if it will make up for the sugar high my husband and I contributed to, but it will be healthier for them regardless. I’m sure it would be great in a sugar free pie.
If you have a sweet-tooth, feel free to add 1 – 1 1/2 cups of sugar to the fillings before baking your pie. These 32 fluid ounce jars are filled with fruit just like Grandma used to make and are made right on the Barry Farm. One jar is sufficient to generously fill a 9 inch pie crust. (Not shown: Sugar-free Pineapple Pie Filling).
