Using Clear Jel

Clear Jel is the easiest way to make pies, gravies, jams, jellies, and more. It’s the perfect solution to a sauce that needs thickening, and unlike flour and cornstarch, it cools clear rather than giving your recipe a new tint.

What is Clear Jel?

Clear Jel, a corn starch derivative, is a commercial thickening product used by bakeries and or frozen food. This product is used the same as flour or cornstarch.

There are two types of Clear Jel available, “instant” and “regular”. “Instant” does not require heat to thicken. The product will thicken once the liquid is added. “Regular”, on the other hand, must be heated. This is generally the preferred type to use in products to be canned.

Using Clear Jel in Recipes

To use Clear Jel in a hot dish such as gravy, first mix a small amount in cold water, then add it gradually to the hot liquid, mixing constantly. Or, mix everything together while cold, and then heat and stir to thicken.

Pies and fillings which have been prepared with Clear Jel and frozen need to be cooked or baked before serving. If the fillings become “thin” during baking, increase the oven temperature, and shorten the baking time to prevent what is called “oven boil out”. This usually is caused by excessive baking at a temperature too low.

Advantages of Clear Jel

It is clear in color when cooked.
It has excellent stability.
It remains smooth.
It prevents liquid separation and curdling after foods have been frozen.
Cream sauces, custard, and puddings may be frozen with excellent results.
It is less expensive than pectin.
The amount of sugar may be adjusted without losing the jelling capacity.
Recipes may be doubled, tripled or halved.
The jam may be frozen or processed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Some Helpful Hints for Using Clear Jel

Using Clear Jel in making jams and jellies is not an exact science. Many factors influence the quality of the product. It is best to try a small batch and make adjustments before making larger batches.
Use pint or 1/2 pint jars.
Any fruit jam or jelly recipe may be used as long as the product is processed for 10 minutes or frozen. Substitute 7 tablespoons of Clear Jel for the pectin in cooked jams and jellies and 3-4 tablespoons of Clear Jel for the pectin in freezer jam recipes.
For freezer jam, follow the jam recipes in this article.
Clear Jel does not dissolve easily in liquid. To help dissolve the product mix the Clear Jel with a little sugar before adding to the fruit or juice.

Troubleshooting Jam

Jam is too stiff: To make softer, heat the product and add a little more juice or water, then reprocess.
Jam is too thin: To make stiffer, heat the product and add more Clear Jel mixed with a few tablespoons of sugar and dissolved in 1/2 cup of the product.

Clear Jel® Recipe Samples: Jam Recipes

Cherry Jam

4 cups pitted chopped cherries
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 tablespoons Clear Jel
Sugar to taste (approximately 1 cup)

Add lemon juice to cherries. Combine Clear Jel with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add to cherries. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath or freeze.

Apricot and Pineapple Jam

5 cups ground apricots
1 20-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup lemon juice
7 tablespoons Clear Jel
Sugar to taste (approximately 3 cups)

Add lemon juice to apricots. Combine Clear Jel with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add to apricots. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add rest of sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath or freeze.

Apricot Jam

3 1/2 cups apricots
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 1/2 tablespoons Clear Jel
Sugar to taste (approximately 2 cups)

Peach Jam

3 3/4 cups peaches
1/4 cup lemon juice
7 tablespoons Clear Jel
Sugar to taste (approx. 1 1/2 cups)

Add lemon juice to peaches. Combine Clear Jel with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add to peaches. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add rest of sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath or freeze.

Berry Jam

4 cups crushed berries or juiced
1/4 cup lemon juice
7 tablespoons Clear Jel
Sugar to taste (approximately 1 1/2 cup)

Add lemon juice to berries. Combine Clear Jel with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add to berries. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add rest of sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4” headspace. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath or freeze.

DEVELOPED BY:
Joanne Austin, Skagit County Extension Faculty
WSU Skagit County Extension 10/07
More home canning info: http://skagit.wsu.edu/FAM/MFP.htm
*Listing of products and goods does not imply endorsement.