1 1/4 c. white sugar
3 egg yolks
3 to 4 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. sweet milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. butter
dash of salt
2 baked pie shells (as per pack)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. hot water

Mix the first 8 ingredients all together and heat well (not boiling) on the stove, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Note: You can heat in the microwave by heating 2 minutes at a time and stirring in between.

In a large iron skillet heat sugar on high until sugar starts to melt, then reduce heat to medium. Keep stirring until sugar is melted and turns to a caramel color. Take off heat and add hot water, stirring until dissolved. Be very careful, this is very hot. Then stir in the milk mixture. Return to heat at medium-high until mixture thickens enough to pour into baked pie shells. Add meringue.

Perfect Meringue:

3 eggs whites (at room temperature)
1/8 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix egg whites, salt and sugar together until they are stiff enough to turn bowl upside down and they will not fall out. Stir in vanilla and put on top of the pies, sealing to the edge.

Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Do not overcook or will fall and run.