Old Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie!



As I have said before, I think meringue pies intimidate people and for good reason.  The meringue part can be tricky.  However, with a few key tips,you can make a beautiful meringue pie and really impress everyone!  I got these tips from my mother, who has probably made more meringue in her  life than most of us will ever need to see or will want to.    My favorite meringue pie is chocolate, but my second favorite is this lemon pie.  It just has the freshest lemony taste to it and is the perfect ending to a meal!   You will be surprised how easy it is also.   

Here is all you will need to make this:

1  9 inch pie shell, baked
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cups cornstarch
1  1/2 cups water
3 egg yolks slightly beaten
2 tsp. zested lemon peel
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 Tbs. butter
2 drops yellow food coloring
Meringue
3 egg whites (eggs should be left out a couple of hours at room temperature)
1 tsp. baking powder
4 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. corn starch
1 tsp. vanilla



Prebake your pie shell in a preheated  400 degree oven just until it is lightly browned, about 13 minutes.  You can make your own crust or use a froze or refrigerated crust.   To make the filling mix the sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan.  Stir in lemon juice and zest and bring up to a boil.  Add 1/2 cup of hot mixture to beaten egg yolk to temper them.  Add eggs to pan and cook until thick, about 1 minute.  Stir in the butter. Remove from heat and add a couple of drops of yellow food coloring.   Pour into your baked pie shell.



Now, to make the meringue. This is where you have to pay close attention.  The egg whites should be placed in a CLEAN glass or metal mixing bowl.  Everything that touches the meringue, mixer, bowl has to be clean and dry.  I realize you  always cook with clean items, but if any residue at all of oil or anything is on these items it will cause your meringue to fall.  Add 1 tsp. of baking powder to the egg whites and start to beat the whites with an electric mixer on high. Gradually add in 4 Tbs. of sugar, continuing to beat. When stiff peaks start to form (this takes some time) add in 1 tsp. of corn starch and 1 tsp. of vanilla. Don't go too heavy on the vanilla or it will change the color of your meringue or use the colorless.



This is what the meringue look like when it's ready.  It sort of stands up in stiff peaks.


Gently spread the meringue over the top of the pie.  Make sure to seal the meringue all the way around to the edge of the crust.  If you don't do this and it gaps, the meringue will pull away from the sides of the pie and will sink and not stand up tall.  


Place in the preheated 400 degree oven for about 12-14 minutes or just until lightly browned.  Watch it carefully!  Voila, a beautiful lemon meringue pie!


COOKING TIPS:  To recap the important tips to a successful meringue pie, 1) your eggs should be taken out of the fridge a few hours ahead of time and let come to room temperature, 2)  make sure the bowl and your mixer beaters are extremely clean and dry when you are making meringue, and 3)  seal the meringue all the way around to the edges of your crust.

23 comments:

  1. i loved your blog. Congratulation for you myu dear. Rita Furtado

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  2. Could you use regular milk in place of water. My mother used to make one with milk (not eagle brand) and it was a real cream texture.

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  3. You could use milk instead of the water, but it will change the texture of the pie. This filling is actually sort of light and lemony. The milk as you say will make it denser and more creamy.

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  4. I make mine with sweatened milk 1 can , the mix with softened 8 oz cream cheese- mix well till smooth them add 2 egg yolks , mix well - fold in 1/3 cup lemon juice . Pour in pie shell - top with meringue and bake until brown as you like - refrigerate till set - couple hours. --- so good.

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  5. Sounds good, but the font is very difficult for me to read..

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  6. How about Carmel pie? ? The one sugar is browned in cast iron skipper??

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  7. I love love your page!! Thanks for sharing

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  8. I've never been much of a cook but I'm having more fun on your page..... thanks for all the down home goodness :)

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  9. I will definitely be trying your method! What kind of sugar do you use? Can I use raw, or confectionery sugar instead of white???
    Have you ever made "Pumpkin Meringue Pie"! It's WONDERFUL!!!
    Thank you for your tips...I'll be trying them... I usually add 1Tablespoon water PER EGG WHITE and it adds extra volume. What do you think?

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    1. I use water as well with the egg whites and it makes the meringue very light and fluffy and oh so yummy!

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  10. I CAN ALMOST TASTE IT NOW! YUMMY!!!

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  11. What is the difference in Ice Box Pie and Lemon Merinque Pie?

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  12. Do you put the meringue on the hot pie filling, or do you let the pie cool before putting it on?

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  13. Now for some chocolate meringue pie!!! My favorite!

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  14. Can you use a sugar substitute instead of regular sugar? I am diabetic and am looking for recipes that I can lighten up some. I love this blog and all of the good recipe's

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  15. Just like our family favorite recipe...I would add the hint: use glass or metal mixing bowls never plastic

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  16. Thank you ! Can't wait to make a Lemmon Meringue Pie ☼ My husband favorite.☼

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  17. I would love to have a copy of all of your pie recipes Do you have these in a book, or do I need to just print each one separately? Love these easy recipes. I despise seeing a new recipe that has about 25 ingredients, some of them you have to go out and buy, just to get a tsp. of it for the recipe, then never use the rest of the purchased ingredient. Most of the ingredients in your pies are found in most of our pantries. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Are your recipes on Pinterest? If not, would you consider linking them to it?

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  19. They are all on Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/kathy33/

    There is also a little red "pin it" button at the top to pin them with right above this post.

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