| Directions: Peel and core apples. Prepare slices and place in water containing ascorbic acid. Blanch no more than 2 quarts at a time for 1 minute in boiling water and keep warm. Combine sugar, Thick Gel, and spices in large kettle with water, apple juice, coloring, and lemon juice. Cook over medium high heat until thick and bubbly. Fold in drained apple slices. Fill jars, leaving 1/2″ headspace. Adjust lids and process immediately in water bath canner for 30 minutes (sea level). Add 5 minutes at 1000-3000 ft. altitude. Add 10 min. at 3000-6000 ft. altitude. To freeze filling instead of canning: use commercial or homemade pie shells, fill with filling, and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Let cool, wrap for the freezer, and freeze. To prepare pie after freezing, bake at 425 for about 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 until bubbly all the way through — about 30 minutes. Blanching tip: You can blanche the apple slices in the microwave. Try using a two-quart covered casserole, fill with apple slices, and microwave on full power until they lose their crispness and can be pierced by a fork. Every microwave is different — write down how long this takes in your microwave. | 
Carnet Foods: Thick Gel
Directions:
Peel and core apples. Prepare slices and place in water containing ascorbic acid. Blanch no more than 2 quarts at a time for 1 minute in boiling water and keep warm. Combine sugar, Thick Gel, and spices in large kettle with water, apple juice, coloring, and lemon juice. Cook over medium high heat until thick and bubbly. Fold in drained apple slices. Fill jars, leaving 1/2″ headspace. Adjust lids and process immediately in water bath canner for 30 minutes (sea level). Add 5 minutes at 1000-3000 ft. altitude. Add 10 min. at 3000-6000 ft. altitude.
To freeze filling instead of canning: use commercial or homemade pie shells, fill with filling, and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Let cool, wrap for the freezer, and freeze. To prepare pie after freezing, bake at 425 for about 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 until bubbly all the way through — about 30 minutes.
Blanching tip: You can blanche the apple slices in the microwave. Try using a two-quart covered casserole, fill with apple slices, and microwave on full power until they lose their crispness and can be pierced by a fork. Every microwave is different — write down how long this takes in your microwave.