Happy Friday everyone! I’m ready for a slice of pie, how bout you? Or maybe the entire pie. Has it been one of those weeks for anyone else?

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I’m still in reaction mode for most of my day. Baby cries. Sit down to feed baby. Toddler wakes up. Set down baby to change toddler’s diaper. Baby cries. Toddler wants milk. Pick up screaming baby. Get milk. Sit down to feed baby. Toddler hugs baby to near suffocation. Baby cries. Toddler wants food: “I want oatmeal I want oatmeal I want oatmeal!!” Baby wants food. I want food. Nobody is getting what they want fast enough. Eric asked me what I did today when he got home from work. I said, we slept and ate, and nothing else. And I am exhausted!IMG_2861Don’t think that I am one of those people complaining about my busy life but somehow I still had time to make an elaborate pie. Uh uh. This awesomeness happened before my mom left, when there was still some sanity around here. Lemon Meringue Pie has royalty status at our house. My mom has probably made 100 of them. No joke. They are huge in my family. We make them every Thanksgiving, every Christmas. There are so many of us that we usually have to make two of them, and we are still fighting over the last piece.

IMG_2787We decided to experiment with the meringue this time around. We baked it longer at a lower temperature. At first I was dismayed to realize that the meringue had formed a crackly shell on top. I thought it was ruined. But then I tasted it…my mom and I both agree that this is the best Lemon Meringue Pie we have ever eaten. I found myself sneaking off little bits of the crackly topping for days. I will never go back. If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, never fear, I have instructions down there for a traditional meringue as well. But you really should try it.

IMG_2842One more thing about this pie: I call it Lemon Meringue Pie for Lemon Lovers for a reason. I don’t mess around when it comes to tartness. This pie might just make your nose fall off. If you’re not into that, then replace some of the lemon juice with water, and reduce the amount of lemon zest.

I know this recipe is like 10 years long. Lemon Meringue Pie is a little finicky, but it’s really not hard, I promise. I just wanted to provide lots of detail for you. Happy weekend everybody!

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Lemon Meringue Pie for Lemon Lovers

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
I call it Lemon Meringue Pie for Lemon Lovers for a reason. I don't mess around when it comes to tartness. This pie might just make your nose fall off.

Ingredients

For the pie crust: (You can of course use a pre-made crust if you like)

  • ¼ cup very cold water
  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening
  • 1 & 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ beaten egg

For the meringue:

  • 3 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons caster sugar, if you have it; regular sugar will work fine too

For the lemon filling:

  • 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • dash salt
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten (reserve whites)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 teaspoons lemon zest, or to taste
  • 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  • Get 3 eggs out of the fridge. Separate them: Put the whites in your stand mixer or another metal bowl. Put the yolks in a small bowl. Set aside.

For the crust:

  • Measure out the 1/4 cup water and stick it in the freezer. Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in shortening until mixture is the consistency of fine crumbs. Crack an egg into a small bowl, beat thoroughly and divide in half (just eyeball it. You can save the other half or toss it.)
  • Take the 1/4 cup water out of the freezer and mix it in with the 1/2 egg. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and combine until it forms a ball. Use your hands to knead it together once or twice. Divide the dough in half. Put one half in the freezer and use it in 3 days when you decide that you need to make this pie again.
  • Lay the dough onto a very floured surface. Dust the top with flour and carefully roll the dough into a circle. Get out your 8 or 9 inch pie pan to see how big you need to make it. Keep in mind that you need to account for the edges as well as have enough for a crust.
  • Once you have rolled out the dough to the size you need, carefully roll the dough up onto your rolling pin and transfer to the pie pan. This may take practice. Alternatively you could fold it into quarters and then unfold it in your pan, but I prefer rolling to ensure there are no cracks. Just remember that if you mess up, you can just smoosh it all into a ball again, beat it into the counter a few times to vent your frustration, and roll it out again. Isn’t baking fun?? I promise though, you will get the hang of it.
  • Cut out a circle of aluminum foil or parchment paper that is about the size of the bottom of your pie. Place it on the bottom and then cover the foil with spare change, dry beans, marbles, rice, or anything that won’t be bothered in the oven. This step is to make sure you don’t get any air bubbles. Bake at 425 for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, take off the foil and weights, and bake for another 5 or 6 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Set aside until you need to put the filling in. It doesn't matter if the crust has cooled or not.

For the meringue:

  • Note: You have to make the meringue before you make the lemon filling. It's important to put the meringue on top of the filling when the filling is super hot; that way it starts cooking the meringue immediately, and helps avoid shrinking.
  • Remember the 3 egg whites sitting in your stand mixer? They should be room temperature by now. Add the vanilla and cream of tarter to the bowl. Use the whisk attachment and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Then gradually add the 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar (caster sugar if you have it). Beat until stiff and glossy peaks form and all sugar is dissolved. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and set aside.

For the lemon filling:

  • In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt. Stir in hot water and 1/2 cup lemon juice. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low (or whatever will keep it boiling without spattering yourself with burning liquid) and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Now we need the egg yolks you separated earlier. Add a few tablespoons of the lemon mixture to the bowl with the yolks and whisk together. Add the tempered yolks to the pot with the filling, whisking to combine. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and lemon zest. Slowly stir in the 1/3 cup of lemon juice.
  • Pour the lemon filling into the baked pie crust. Immediately spread the meringue over the filling: use a spoon to dollop small portions evenly across the filling, then spread smooth.
  • For a traditional soft meringue: bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. For a meringue that has a crisp shell on the top, like the one I have in the photos, bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes, or until it is a light tan color.
  • Let cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Cut with a sharp knife dipped in cold water. This pie is best served the day it is made. Store leftovers on the counter with an inverted bowl covering it. Don't store it in the fridge, or the meringue will start to weep.

Notes

Source: my awesome mom!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 639
Keyword: lemon, meringue, pie
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is an OUTSTANDING Lemon Pie Filling!!! I don’t care for meringue, but the pie filling is out of this world!!! Thanks so much, Karen!

  2. 5 stars
    If you like tart lemon pie, this is your recipe. I absolutely love it and all who have had a slice agree. Fantastic. Thanks!

  3. I made this for Thanksgiving and had a few people ask for the recipe (and one of those later made it and posted photos all over Facebook). This is the best pie recipe in the history of the world and I will say that until the day I die.

    Also, I made it without an electric mixer. Yes, it is possible to make meringue by hand. Yes, it took over an hour and I ended up just watching a movie while I beat the egg whites. I learned from my mistakes (and the ensuing knot I had in my shoulder the next day) and bought an electric mixer when I later made your Chocolate Honey Chiffon Pie.

    1. You WILL say that until the day you die, haha. I need to make this again. I love the meringue. I can’t believe I didn’t like meringue as a kid. What’s wrong with me?

      Also, I’m super impressed with your meringue beating skillz. I never would have done it.

  4. Your pie looks so delicious! I absolutely love tart lemon desserts, would love to try this!

  5. This was seriously the best lemon pie I’ve ever tasted! And I don’t want to quibble, but I bet I’m close in on at least 150 pies over the years :)

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