How to Make Strawberry Filling

This strawberry filling can be used for pies or toppings for pancakes, crepes, ice cream, shortcake and a variety of other desserts. You only have to use your imagination!

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tbs. cornstarch
• 16 ounces (1 pound) frozen or fresh strawberries
• Double boiler or thick-bottomed pan

Instructions

1. Wash, hull and cut strawberries into quarters or halves (depending on size) if you are using fresh strawberries.

2. Mix the sugar and water in the pan or double boiler. Cook on medium high until the mixture begins to boil. Once the mixture starts to simmer, you must constantly stir it. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

3. Turn heat down just enough to keep the mixture simmering. Simmer for 10 minutes. You must constantly stir the mixture to keep it from burning and coagulating on the bottom of the pan.

4. Add the cornstarch. Mix it with a few tablespoons of hot water to ensure there are no lumps. Pour slowly into sugar water while constantly stirring.

5. Add the strawberries. Continue simmering for about 15 minutes. Constantly stir the mixture, so it does not stick to the pan. The mixture will start to thicken.

6. Remove from heat. Stir mixture for approximately 5 minutes. Let cool. The mixture will thicken as it cools.

7. Serve hot if using on pancakes or hot desserts. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before using on cold desserts. The refrigeration will also make the filling thicker.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are making a pie filling, you can add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to make the mixture thicker for pies. This is optional, and depends on how thick you like your pie filling. You can also add rhubarb (parboil it first) to make a strawberry rhubarb pie. You will need to add an additional 1/2 cup sugar for the simple syrup, to counteract the bitterness of the rhubarb.

• Do not prepare the cornstarch mixture ahead of time, as it may become too thick to work with and cause lumps. Have someone stir your sugar water if you cannot mix the cornstarch in a matter of a minute or two. The sugar water will not burn in that minute or two.

• Do not use wooden spoons. The strawberries will stain them. They also stain plastic spoons, but after a couple washings in the dishwasher, the stains come out.

• Boiling sugar water becomes very hot, and it is very easy to scald yourself. Take care when working with it that you do not burn yourself.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish