Lemon Meringue Pie

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Picture of Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe Photo: Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 54 Reviews
Total Time:
45 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
15 min
Yield:
1 (9-inch) pie, 6 to 8 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Note: We brown the meringue topping with a blowtorch. It's a simple process, using a backward-forward motion a few inches above the pie. We recognize, however, that not all home cooks have this tool -- so either broil or bake the meringue until the top is golden brown. If you do have a blowtorch, by all means use it, and note that the meringue will set best if it is added while the lemon filling is still hot.

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Sweet Pie Crust, recipe follows
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons limoncello
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and on a lightly floured surface, roll out to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan, pressing gently to fit, trim the edge to within 1/2-inch of the pan, turn under, and crimp decoratively. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Line the pie shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights, dry beans, or rice. Bake until the crust is set, about 12 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights and bake until lightly colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before filling. Combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, milk, water, and pinch of the salt in a large, non-reactive saucepan, whisk to combine, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally. As the mixture reaches a simmer and begins to thicken and turn clear, 4 to 5 minutes, whisk in the egg yolks, 2 at a time. Slowly add the lemon juice, whisking constantly, and add the zest and limoncello. Add the butter, 1 piece at a time, and whisking constantly, return to a simmer. Remove from the heat and pour immediately into the prepared pie crust.

Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and remaining pinch salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beating constantly, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until glossy stiff peaks form, being careful not to over beat, as this will make the meringue difficult to spread.

Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip. Working 1 row at a time, pipe the meringue across the top of the hot lemon filling in a zigzag pattern, alternating direction with each row. Cover the pie filling completely, going out to the pastry edges, so the meringue does not draw up or weep during baking. (Alternatively, spread the meringue evenly over the pie filling using a rubber spatula, smoothing out to the pastry edges. Make decorative peaks in the meringue using a dull knife or the back of a spoon.)

To quickly cook the meringue, preheat the broiler with the rack in the highest position. Place the pie under the broiler and cook until the meringue is set and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. (Alternatively, the meringue can be cooked in a preheated 325 degree F oven until set and golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes.)

Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Sweet Pie Crust:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening

3 to 4 tablespoons ice water, or as needed

Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large bowl. With your fingers, work the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3 tablespoons of the ice water and work with your fingers just until the dough comes together, adding more water as needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make a smooth dough, being careful not to overwork the dough.

Form the dough into a disk shape, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.

Yield: enough dough for 1 (9 or 10-inch) crust

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 54 reviews

  • on April 26, 2013

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    The pie is delicious although I should have taken to heart the review that said to be sure to cook the filling longer. I haven't made a cooked filling with eggs for a long time and I was freaked out about not tempering the egg yolks prior to adding them to the simmering mixture. So my filling is a bit loose but I am using that as an excuse to "clean up" the pie plate so it doesn't look so messy! Like I said - Delicious! I will certainly try it again.

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  • on April 16, 2013

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    great pie! I used a different crust recipe, just because I've been making the crust for years, and I knew it worked well with every pie. I have kids, so I didn't use the limoncello and just used a little more lemon juice. the first time I made it, the meringue didn't turn out despite me using a clean bowl and mixer, and not having any yolk in the whites. the second time I made it, it still took a while to beat the meringue, but not quite as long. remember if you're using the oven to brown the top, keep a close eye on it. I put it in for 3min, and the top was still burnt, I had to scrape it off and do it again.

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  • on March 09, 2013

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    Lemon Meringue Pie is my absolute favorite so I have had many. This is by far the absolute best Lemon Meringue Pie I have ever had. Never liked pie crust and would normally not eat it and this pie crust is extremely delicious and flaky. I made this for family get together (had to make 2 and by the end of dessert there wasn't one piece left.
    My husband normally doesn't care much for Lemon Meringue pie but this one he loved and asked me to make another one immediately. I'm going to try and make this into an Orange Meringue pie for him too and also a lime one.
    I thought there was a mistake with the meringue recipe with the confectioners sugar as ingredient rather than granulated sugar. I looked at every other recipe for meringue I could find and not one has confectioners sugar as ingredient.
    I used the confectioners sugar & will never again use granulated sugar in a meringue.
    Thank you so much Emeril! You are the best!

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