The Perfect Recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon meringue pie is a classic dessert that combines the tanginess of lemon filling with the sweetness of fluffy meringue topping. It’s a perfect treat for any occasion, and one that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Making a lemon meringue pie may seem daunting, but with the right recipe and tips, you’ll be able to whip one up in no time.

First, gather all the ingredients you’ll need: 1 pie crust, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 3 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 1/2 cups of water, 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 3 egg whites. You can make the pie crust from scratch or use a pre-made one from the store. Once you have everything ready, it’s time to get started on the lemon filling.

Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe: The Ultimate Guide

Are you craving for a deliciously tangy dessert that will leave you wanting for more? Look no further than lemon meringue pie, a classic dessert that’s both sweet and sour, light and airy! There are a few essential techniques and ingredients to learn before making this heavenly tart. With this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to perfect your own lemon meringue pie recipe.

Ingredients

Before we get into the how-to’s of making a lemon meringue pie, let’s talk about what you need for this recipe. The following ingredients are typically required:

1. For the Crust:

– 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 cup of chilled unsalted butter, cubed
– 1/4 cup of ice water or as needed

2. For the Lemon Filling:

– 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
– 1/3 cup of cornstarch
– 1 1/2 cups of water
– 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
– 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
– 4 egg yolks
– 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, at room temperature

3. For the Meringue:

– 4 egg whites
– 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar

Now let’s dive into the recipe!

Making the Crust

One of the keys to a great pie is a perfectly baked crust. Here’s how you can make one for your lemon meringue pie:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
2. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or fork, until the mixture becomes course and crumbly.
3. Add ice water a tablespoon at a time while mixing until the dough comes together in a ball.
4. Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. After an hour, take the dough out of the fridge and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 12 inches in diameter.
6. Transfer the dough onto a 9-inch pie dish and gently press it into the sides and bottom of the dish and trim any excess dough hanging off the edge.

Making the Lemon Filling

The lemon filling is the soul of the pie, and you want to get it right. Here’s how:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
2. Gradually whisk in the water.
3. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks together.
5. Gradually add in the hot lemon mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking.
6. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot with the lemon mixture, and bring it to a boil while stirring constantly.
7. Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat, and stir in the butter until it’s melted and fully incorporated.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust, and let it cool while you prepare the meringue.

Making the Meringue

The meringue is what adds a light, fluffy texture to the pie. Here’s how to make it:

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together until soft peaks form.
2. Gradually add the sugar while beating until the mixture creates stiff, glossy peaks.
3. Spread the meringue over the top of the cooled lemon filling, making sure to spread it around the edges of the crust.
4. Use the back of a spoon to create swirls in the meringue.
5. Bake the pie in a preheated 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until the meringue is lightly golden.
6. Let the pie cool for at least 1 hour at room temperature, serve and enjoy.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make lemon meringue pie, you’re ready to impress all your friends and family with this stunning and delicious dessert that’s always a hit. With these easy-to-follow steps, you can achieve a perfect, tangy filling and a light and airy meringue topping that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds. Happy baking!

Gathering Ingredients and Preparing the Crust

Lemon meringue pie is a fantastic dessert that combines tangy, sweet, and airy flavors into one delicious pie. Making the perfect lemon meringue pie requires patience, precision, and a small bit of skill. If you’re wondering how to make lemon meringue pie yourself, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this section, we’ll take you through the crucial steps of gathering your ingredients and preparing the crust.

Gather Your Ingredients

The first step in making a lemon meringue pie is to gather all the ingredients you’ll need. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the filling:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3 large egg yolks
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust

For the meringue, you’ll need the following:

• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prepare the Pie Crust

Before making the filling, you need to make and prepare your pie crust. If you don’t have a pre-baked crust, you can make one yourself from scratch or buy pre-made crusts from your local grocery store.

To prepare the crust, preheat your oven to 375°F (190.56°C), and follow these steps:

1. Line your pie pan with the crust, and trim the excess dough around the edges, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang.
2. Poke the bottom of the crust with a fork to keep air bubbles from forming while it bakes.
3. Line the inside of the crust with some parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights.
4. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden brown.

Now that your crust is prepared, you’re ready to start making the filling for your lemon meringue pie.

3. Steps in Making Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon meringue pie is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Making this pie may seem intimidating, but it is actually quite simple. Here are the steps to follow to make your own lemon meringue pie:

1. Prepare the Crust

The first step in making lemon meringue pie is preparing the crust. You can use either a pre-made or homemade crust for this recipe. If you are making your own crust, you will need to combine flour, salt, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Mix the ingredients until they are combined, but still crumbly. Add cold water to the mixture and mix until it becomes a dough. Roll out the dough and place it in a pie dish.

2. Make the Lemon Filling

The lemon filling is what gives this pie its delicious tartness. To make the filling, you will need to combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, cold water, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Once the mixture thickens, remove it from the heat and add butter. Stir until the butter is fully melted and combined.

3. Assemble the Pie

Once the crust and lemon filling are ready, it is time to assemble the pie. Pour the lemon filling into the pie crust and smooth it out with a spatula. This will ensure that the filling is evenly spread throughout the pie.

4. Make the Meringue

The meringue topping is what gives this pie its signature look. To make the meringue, you will need to beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Be sure to beat the egg whites until they are fully stiff, as this will ensure that the meringue is light and fluffy. Once the meringue is ready, spoon it onto the lemon filling, making sure to spread it evenly.

5. Bake the Pie

Finally, it is time to bake the pie. Bake the lemon meringue pie in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on the pie as it bakes, as the meringue can brown quickly. Once the pie is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.

Now that you know the steps to make lemon meringue pie, it is time to get baking. With a little patience and practice, you will be able to create an impressive dessert that will impress your friends and family. So go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor of this classic pie.

Time to enjoy your lemon meringue pie!

I hope you found this recipe helpful and easy to follow. In no time, you can impress your family and friends with a delicious homemade pie. Remember to use fresh and juicy lemons for the perfect tangy flavor, and to slowly add your sugar to avoid clumps in your meringue. Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to have you back for more cooking adventures!