Mother’s Lemon Meringue Pie – Oh Candy Basil

Learn to make a traditional lemon meringue pie identical to Mother used to make! With a flaky crust, tart lemon filling, and fluffy meringue topping, this dessert is certain to turn into a household favourite. Plus, watch our step-by-step tutorial to make sure good outcomes each time.

My mother was well-known for her Lemon Meringue Pie rising up. The truth is, she nonetheless is!  It was usually requested for events or sick visits. (Actually, I keep in mind individuals asking my mother to deliver this pie as a substitute of hen noodle soup once they have been sick!)  I usually neglect how good it’s till I make it-then I simply can’t cease consuming it!

This recipe begins with a flakey selfmade pie crust that’s full of clean and creamy lemon filling and topped with toasted meringue. It’s completely irresistible!

Our youngsters particularly love the meringue. Regardless of what number of instances I make it with them and so they watch the complete course of they’re satisfied it’s marshmallow. I suppose it’s in a method, but it surely’s undoubtedly meringue. I like that they’re so adamant. “Dad, mother made Grandma’s pie with the marshmallows!” We’re beginning to not right them in any respect as they’re fairly darn certain that they’re proper and nothing goes to persuade them in any other case.

Lemon was one thing I actually struggled with as a child. I simply couldn’t stand that tart taste in any respect until it was a lemon head sweet. Do these even nonetheless exist? Anyway, It’s fascinating how our style buds change as we develop up. Loads of the meals I didn’t like as a baby aren’t ones that I simply get pleasure from now however truly are my absolute favourite.

I’ve gobs of recipes with lemon like, Panko Crusted Rooster with Lemon Cream Sauce , Lemon Roasted Broccoli, Lemon Raspberry Bars, Lemon Curd, and Lemon Raspberry Donuts. I didn’t even get into the salads, cupcakes, and so forth!

What Components Do You Want for Lemon Meringue Pie?

I’m going to interrupt up the components checklist into two sections – filling and meringue. The components are easy, however when mixed…look out! Completely tart filling with the marginally candy meringue, pie heaven!

For the Filling

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Water
• Lemon Zest
• Lemon Juice
• Egg Yolks
• Unsalted Butter

For the Meringue

• Massive Egg Whites (room temperature)
• Salt
• Cream of Tarter
• Sugar

The measurements for every components may be discovered within the recipe card beneath.

Ought to Egg Whites Be Room Temperature For Meringue?

PRO TIP: Separate the eggs whereas the eggs are chilly. They separate a lot simpler once they come straight out of the fridge.

Convey egg whites to room temperature to make sure quantity when beating.

Hotter eggs whip quicker than chilly eggs.

Egg whites proper out of the fridge won’t whip effectively.

The right way to Make Lemon Meringue Pie

Make certain you may have a pre-baked pie crust (Mother’s Magic Pie Crust or My Favourite Pie Crust) prepared so as to add the filling to. Now I’m going to stroll you thru every step of constructing the filling and meringue for the greatest lemon meringue pie recipe ever!

For the Filling

1. Mix the cornstarch, salt and sugar in a big sauce pan, after which add the water stirring till clean.
2. Prepare dinner over medium warmth, continuously stirring, till it’s thick and clear.
3. Take away it from the warmth.
4. Stir within the lemon juice and lemon zest.
5. Put it again on the warmth and cook dinner for two minutes.
6. Take a small quantity of the new liquid and whisk it with the egg yolks in a small bowl. This tempers the eggs in order that they don’t curdle when they’re added to the remainder of the combination.
7. Add the tempered eggs again to the pan and cook dinner for an additional 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
8. Take away the pan from the warmth and add the butter.
9. In the meantime, be getting ready the meringue.

For the Meringue and Meeting

1. Make certain the egg whites are at room temperature. Mix them with the salt and cream of tarter and whisk them on excessive velocity within the bowl a stand mixer with the whisk attachment till tender peaks type.
2. Proceed beating and regularly including the sugar and beat till stiff peaks type.
3. Pour the lemon filling right into a baked pie shell.
4. Unfold the meringue on prime of the cooled pie filling. Make sure that to unfold the meringue all the way in which to the crust and up a bit of on all sides. This helps seal the meringue so it doesn’t shrink. I begin by making a donut with the meringue by spreading it first across the outer edges after which piling into the middle.
5. Use the again of a spoon or a spatula to create peaks.
6. Bake the pie at 350 levels F for 10-12 minutes or till the highest is golden brown down within the valleys of the meringue.
7. Serve both at room temperature or chilled.

Watch The right way to Make Lemon Meringue Pie

The right way to Keep away from a Soggy Pie Crust

The most effective methods to keep away from a soggy pie crust are to blind bake with each a docking and weights methodology adopted by an egg wash and additional baking.

1. Use a glass pie plate which conducts warmth the very best out of all pie dishes. Subsequent up? Ceramic is nice as effectively.
2. Chill the dough within the pie plate after forming it and earlier than baking.
3. Dock your crust by poking about 10 instances on the crust backside and sides with a fork.
4. Place aluminum foil or parchment paper within the crust and add weights equal to the lip of the pie or a minimum of midway up.
5. If you happen to’re actually battling a lower than flaky crust, pop a cookie sheet within the oven to preheat and place the pie plate on that. The underside warmth will assist to maintain the crust flaky.
6. Begin at 425 levels F but when it’s browning too shortly be ready to cut back the temperature to 375 after 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Egg wash! After the preliminary bake of the crust, after pulling out the weights and earlier than it goes again within the oven to complete, merely brush the bottom of the crust evenly with an egg wash (1 egg white and a bit of water or 1 egg yolk and about 2 teaspoons heavy cream whisked collectively. Yolks brown extra fyi) after which return the pie to the oven simply to set the egg, 1-2 minutes.

Why is My Lemon Meringue Pie Watery? 

1. You will have probably overworked your lemon filling. The cornstarch is crucial for bind within the filling however overworking it truly weakens the filling and permits extra separation and weeping to happen. To keep away from this, cook dinner the filling twice- cornstarch is cooked with the sugar and lemon juice till thickened barely, then the eggs are added and the entire filling is cooked once more till very thick.
2. The second purpose is that the filling is cooling so the steam is now not current once you add the meringue. The filling must be piping sizzling, contemporary from the saucepan, once you pour it into the shell and add the meringue. Sizzling filling brings steam which is able to journey up by means of the egg whites and cook dinner the meringue from the underside in addition to within the oven. If the filling has cooled, the filling will warmth up and the steam will get trapped between the filling and meringue, making a watery layer that causes the highest AND filling to separate.

What Makes Meringue Shrink?

1. Excessive humidity and over baking meringue will trigger meringue to shrink. Climate truly issues with meringue. Keep away from making meringue on humid days. The sugar within the egg-white combination takes on moisture from the air, making it tender troublesome to get thick, stiff peaks. This may additionally trigger meringues to weep.
2. Meringue must be sealed tightly in opposition to the pie crust to assist maintain the meringue from shrinking. To attain this, place the meringue first in a donut across the pie crust, pushing it in opposition to the sides. Subsequent, add extra meringue to fill in the remainder of the pie after which change to a spoon which is smaller and won’t pull on the meringue as a lot with a view to make peaks.
3. Just remember to solely have egg whites and never a drop of yolk. Even a bit of yolk will spoil your meringue.
4. Make sure that your bowl is totally clear, no oil, no water or condensation allowed.

Can Lemon Meringue Pie Be Made Forward of Time?

Sure and no- it may be made as much as 2 days forward of time and saved within the fridge, however it’s going to start weeping. For that reason we virtually demand {that a} lemon meringue pie at all times be made the day of consumption.

The right way to Make a Lemon Meringue Pie Forward of Time

1. Put together and bake your pie crust forward of time, masking in plastic wrap on the counter.
2. If you happen to MUST make the filling forward, retailer it within the fridge after which reheat very gently and pour into the pie crust and instantly prime with meringue. We drastically encourage you to simply make it the day you bake the pie however perceive generally you gotta do what you gotta do.

The right way to Retailer Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon meringue pie must be saved within the fridge and can maintain within the fridge for as much as 3 days.

You’re about to be the person who everybody is asking for his or her lemon meringue pie cravings! This pie is nearly as good as pies come, and I’m a self-proclaimed pie skilled! It’s candy, tart, tangy, wealthy, decadent, and all the things you’ll ever need in a lemon meringue pie recipe!

Extra PIE RECIPES:

Beneficial Merchandise

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO our FREE Oh Candy Basil NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE EASY RECIPES DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX EVERY DAY!

Once you attempt a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for an opportunity to be featured in our tales!  FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.