Indulge in the delightful symphony of flavors and textures that is lemon meringue pie. This classic dessert captivates the senses with its vibrant yellow filling, nestled between a flaky, golden crust and a cloud-like meringue topping. The filling boasts a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, while the meringue adds a touch of ethereal lightness. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions for creating a homemade lemon meringue pie from scratch, ensuring a delectable treat that will be the star of any gathering. Additionally, the article includes variations such as a gluten-free crust and a vegan filling, catering to different dietary preferences. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this comprehensive guide will lead you to a perfect lemon meringue pie that will tantalize your taste buds.
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THE BEST LEMON MERINGUE PIE
It's the stuff of dreams: a classic sweet and tart dessert with a foolproof meringue topping that won't weep! We use mostly butter in our from-scratch pie dough, but also add a little vegetable shortening as well - we found that this combination creates a crust that is both tender and flaky.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 9h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For the pie crust: Pulse the flour, shortening, sugar, salt and vinegar in a food processor until the mixture looks like damp sand, about 10 pulses. Add the butter and pulse until you can still see large pea-sized pieces. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough; if it doesn't hold together, add up to 3 more tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together when pinched. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and dump the dough onto the plastic. Using the edges of the plastic, press the dough into a disc. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and preferably overnight. (Freeze up to 2 months.)
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out into a 13-inch round. Place in a 9-inch pie dish, gently pressing the dough into the edges and letting the excess dough drape over the sides. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Trim any excess dough with a paring knife and crimp the edges decoratively or press them down with the tines of a fork. Prick the dough on the bottom all over with a fork. Place a sheet of parchment paper inside the dough and fill with pie weights or uncooked rice or beans. Bake for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment and weights and bake until the crust is deep golden brown on the edges and lightly golden in the center, 10 to 12 minutes more. Let the crust cool to room temperature.
- For the filling: Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Add the lemon juice and 1 1/2 cups water and whisk to combine. Whisk the egg yolks in a separate medium bowl. Place the sugar mixture over medium heat and cook, continuing to gently whisk, until the mixture begins to bubble and is extremely thick. Temper the eggs yolks by slowly adding half of the hot sugar mixture to the yolks while constantly whisking. Add the tempered yolks to the saucepan and return to the heat. Bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and lemon zest until completely melted and incorporated. Pour the filling directly into the pie crust and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface of the filling (see Cook's Note). Refrigerate while you make the meringue.
- For the meringue: Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment along with the sugar, cream of tartar and salt. Whisk together to combine. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture feels hot to the touch. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and add the vanilla. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the pie and gently mound the meringue on top of the filling. Use an offset spatula to make sure the meringue completely covers the filling and meets the crust all around the edges. (This will seal in the filling and help prevent weeping.) Use the offset spatula to create swirls and peaks in the meringue. Toast the meringue using a kitchen torch or broil in the oven until golden brown, keeping an eye on the meringue if broiling, 1 to 2 minutes. Refrigerate the pie until the filling is completely cool and set, about 4 hours.
GRANDMA'S LEMON MERINGUE PIE
This is a very fun recipe to follow, because Grandma makes it sweet and simple. This pie is thickened with cornstarch and flour in addition to egg yolks, and contains no milk.
Provided by Emilie S.
Categories Desserts Pies Custard and Cream Pie Recipes Meringue Pie Recipes
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- To Make Lemon Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter. Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.
- To Make Meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Add sugar gradually, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, sealing the edges at the crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 297.7 calories, Carbohydrate 49.7 g, Cholesterol 110.1 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 229.2 mg, Sugar 35.2 g
CLASSIC LEMON MERINGUE PIE
Want to know what sunshine tastes like? Then try this lemon meringue pie. It's bursting with fresh citrus flavor and a sweet, creamy meringue topping. If you're pressed for time, substitute Betty Crocker™ pie crust mix for the from-scratch pie crust. Never made a lemon meringue pie recipe before? We've got your back with easy steps to help you master this dessert classic.
Categories Dessert
Time 7h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until flour mixture is moistened and can be pressed into a ball.
- Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is cold.
- Heat oven to 450°F. With floured rolling pin, roll pastry on lightly floured surface into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate, or roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to pie plate. Unfold or unroll pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. Prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with fork to prevent puffing. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until light brown; cool on cooling rack.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. In small bowl, beat egg yolks with fork. In 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 1/2 cups sugar and the cornstarch; gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
- Immediately stir with whisk at least half of hot mixture into egg yolks; stir back into hot mixture in saucepan. Return to boiling; boil and stir constantly 2 minutes; remove from heat. Stir in butter, lemon zest and lemon juice with whisk. Cover and keep warm.
- In medium bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; scrape side of bowl occasionally. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form and sugar is completely dissolved. Beat in vanilla. Pour hot lemon filling into baked pie shell. Immediately drop spoonfuls of meringue onto hot lemon filling, and carefully spread meringue to cover top completely, spreading to edge of crust to prevent shrinkage or weeping.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until meringue is browned and temperature reaches 160°F. Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Refrigerate about 4 hours or until filling is set. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 65 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 190 mg, Sugar 47 g, TransFat 0 g
BEAU CATCHING LEMON MERINGUE PIE
This recipe is a little complicated to make, but is well worth the time spent. It is my most popular pie. Remember that a store bought frozen, pie shell does not hold as much filling as one in a regular pie plate.
Provided by Glassylady
Categories Pie
Time 1h15m
Yield 1 pie
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a 2-3 quart saucepan mix sugar, cornstarch and salt together, using a wire whisk. Still using whisk, gradually blend in cold water and lemon juice until smooth. Add beaten egg yolks, blending thouroughly. Using a silicone spatula, add boiling water gradually, stirring constantly. Add butter. Gradually bring mixture to a full boil, stirring gently and constantly with spatula over medium to high heat. Reduce heat slightly as mixture begins to thicken. Boil slowly for 1 minute after mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in grated peel.
- Pour hot filling into baked pastry shell. Let stand, allowing a thin film to form while preparing meringue.
- For Meringue: Beat egg whites in a stainless steel bowl with an electric mixer until frothy (some fairly lare air cells still remain). Add cream of tartar. Beat on high speed until whites have lost their foamy appearance and bend over slightly, forming soft peaks when beaters are withdrawn (with mixer turned off). With mixer on medium speed, add sugar a tablespoon full at a time. When all sugar has been added, return mixer to high speed and beat until whites are fairly stiff but still glossy and soft peaks form when beaters are withdrawn.
- Place meringue on hot filling in several mounds around edge of pie. Push meringue gently against inner edge of pie crust, sealing well. Cover the rest of the filling by swirling meringue from edge of pie to center, forming decorative peaks.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack at room temperature away from drafts for 2 hours before cutting and serving.
- Note: It is easiest to get a nice cut through the meringue if you use sharp knife and dip into hot water after each cut.
ULTIMATE LEMON MERINGUE PIE
You can't go wrong with a classic lemon meringue pie, and this easy recipe is particularly good
Provided by Angela Nilsen
Categories Buffet, Dessert, Dinner, Treat
Time 3h15m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For the pastry, put the plain flour, butter, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and 1 tbsp cold water into a food processor. Pulse until the mix starts to bind - make sure the mix is not overworked.
- Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into the flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don't worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for 30 mins-1 hr (or overnight).
- Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake the pastry case 'blind' (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. Can be done a day ahead. Lower the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
- While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling. Mix the cornflour, golden caster sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make the orange juice up to 200ml with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth.
- Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and the whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn't curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue.
- Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add 100g of the golden caster sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in the cornflour, then add the remaining 100g of sugar as before until smooth and thick.
- Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle, the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl.
- Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another 30 mins-1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calories, Fat 24 grams fat, SaturatedFat 13 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 64 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 41 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium
LEMON MERINGUE PIE
This adaptation of Alice Waters's lemon meringue pie came to the Times in a 1987 article in the Sunday magazine. It takes a little time, but your efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular centerpiece dessert to be proud of: a cloud of toasted meringue atop a pool of buttery and bright lemon curd in a light and flaky crust. If you can't find Meyer lemons, regular supermarket lemons will make a worthy substitute.
Provided by ALICE WATERS
Categories dessert
Time 4h
Yield One 9-inch pie
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Prepare the shell. Roll the pastry into a 12-inch circle, 1/8-inch thick, and fit gently into the pan. Tri the edge a half-inch beyond the rim, fold under and crimp or pinch to make a decorative edge. Prick the bottom with a fork. Freeze the shell for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling. Grate the zest from the lemons into a small, noncorrodable bowl. Strain in the lemon juice, then press through as much lemon pulp as possible.
- In a heavy, noncorrodable saucepan, beat the eggs, yolks and sugar until just mixed. Stir in the lemon juice and pulp, then the six tablespoons of butter.
- Cook, stirring constantly, over low to medium heat, until the mixture comes together and thickens enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat, allow to stand five minutes, then whisk briefly to smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the frozen shell with aluminum foil, weight with beans or pie weights and bake for 20 minutes, or until set and dry looking. Remove the weights and foil, turn the heat down to 350 and continue baking until shell is golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool slightly, but leave the oven on.
- Spread the prepared filling in the shell and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the filling is just set. Remove pie and turn oven to 375.
- Make the meringue. Beat the egg whites until frothy, add the cream of tartar and continue beating until rounded peaks form. Beat in sugar and vanilla.
- Spread the meringue over the filling, making sure it meets the edges of the crust to make a seal. Swirl in a design with a knife or spatula and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly browned.
- Allow to cool completely, from one to two hours, but do not refrigerate.
CLASSIC LEMON MERINGUE PIE
This is the one and only lemon meringue pie recipe you'll ever need. The flaky and tender from-scratch crust is worth the effort. -Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add 3 tablespoons cold water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. , Roll out dough to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer crust to pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned., Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. , Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and lemon zest. Gradually stir in lemon juice just until combined. Pour into the crust., For meringue, in a saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in cold water. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is clear. Transfer to a bowl; cool., Beat egg whites and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat in cornstarch mixture on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edge to crust., Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 444 calories, Fat 17g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 87mg cholesterol, Sodium 282mg sodium, Carbohydrate 68g carbohydrate (43g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
Tips:
- For the perfect lemon curd, use fresh lemon juice and zest. This will give it a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Don't overcook the lemon curd. It should be thick and creamy, but not too thick or it will be difficult to spread.
- Make sure the pie crust is completely cool before adding the lemon curd. This will prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
- For a golden brown meringue, use a kitchen torch to lightly brown the top of the pie.
- Serve the pie chilled for the best flavor.
Conclusion:
This classic lemon meringue pie is a delicious and beautiful dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy lemon curd filling and fluffy meringue topping, this pie is sure to please everyone. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give this recipe a try.
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