Lemon Meringue Pie

A lemon meringue pie is an absolutely delicious dessert. From the flakey pie crust, to the perfectly sweet lemon filling, to the meringue on top, you will adore this pie.

One of the hallmarks of Simple Joy is providing you with recipes that anyone can make, regardless of their experience in the kitchen. This delicious pie, while the recipe looks complicated, is easy to make. It does take time. It does take attention to detail. But with my detailed recipe, even a beginning baker will be able to make this delicious pie.

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How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie

Here is a brief overview of how this lemon meringue pie recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all ingredients and their measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

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Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling

Whisk together sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan off heat. Then stir in the milk and lemon juice. Finally, stir in the lemon zest. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring often. Stir in the butter, then whisk in the egg yolks two at a time. The mixture should be a thick pudding consistency. Remove from the heat and set aside.

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Step 3: Make the Meringue

Combine the cornstarch and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally, and continue cooking until the liquid goes from white to slightly cloudy and has just begun to thicken. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar until they are foamy, about one minute. Slowly add the sugar to the egg whites. Continue beating until soft peaks form. Slowly add the cornstarch and water mixture. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.

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Step 4: Add the Hot Lemon Filling to the Pre-Baked Crust

Bring the lemon mixture back to a boil while stirring. The lemon filling needs to be hot in order for the meringue to not separate from it after baking. Pour the hot lemon mixture into the pre-baked pie crust.

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Step 5: Add the Meringue

As soon as the lemon mixture is in the pie crust, add the meringue to the top of the lemon mixture. Spread the meringue to the edges of the pie, so it is touching the crust. This will prevent it from shrinking away from the crust during baking.

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Step 6: Make the Swirls

Use the back of a spoon to make the swirls in the meringue.

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Step 7: Bake the Pie

Bake the pie for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meringue is golden. Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Homemade Pie Crust

While you can make this pie with a store-bought crust, I think it is so worth it to make a homemade pie crust. The pie dough can be made the day before so it is ready to go when it’s time to make your pie.

Easy Pie Crust Recipe

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Lemon Zest

The skin of the lemon houses such great lemon flavor that adds a depth of bright flavor that really elevates the pie. It contains the essential oils from the lemon peel, which give the filling a bright, fresh flavor that you just can’t get from juice alone. When you start seeing the white pith underneath, move to another part of the lemon.

Zester

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Eggs For Lemon Meringue Pie

This recipe calls for four egg yolks and six egg whites. When you separate the egg yolks for the lemon filling, save the egg whites. You will then only need to add two more egg whites to make the meringue. This will mean a grand total of six eggs, not ten.

Storing Lemon Meringue Pie

Keep the pie in the refrigerator and eat within three days. Always use your best discretion with leftovers.

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Other Great Pie Recipes

Chocolate Chess Pie
Shamrock Shake Pie
Peanut Butter Cup Pie
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Ingredients

1 pie crust homemade or store bought

Lemon Filling

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (297 grams)
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 1/2 cups milk (340.5 grams)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 to 4 lemons (112 grams)
2 tablespoons lemon zest about 2 lemons
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 egg yolks see note

Meringue

1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
6 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup granulated sugar (99 grams)

Instructions

Pie Crust

Roll out the pie crust and put in a deep 9-inch pie pan. Wrap with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 1 pie crust
Take the pie crust out of the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Line the pie crust with parchment paper. On top of the paper, place pie weights (loose change or dry beans also work well). Spread them so that they start to go up the edges. Bake the pie crust for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the crust and lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lemon Filling

In a medium-sized saucepan, off of the heat, whisk together sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Then stir in the milk and lemon juice. Finally, stir in the lemon zest. 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon table salt, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil stirring often. Stir in the butter. Whisk in the egg yolks, 2 at a time. The mixture should be a thick pudding consistency. Remove from the heat and set aside. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 egg yolks

Meringue Topping

Combine the cornstarch and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally, and continue cooking until the liquid goes from white to slightly cloudy and has just begun to thicken. Remove from the heat and set aside. 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar until they are foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add the sugar to the egg whites. Continue beating until soft peaks form. 6 egg whites, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Slowly add the cornstarch and water mixture. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Putting it Together

Bring the lemon mixture back to a boil while stirring. It needs to be hot in order for the meringue to not separate from it after baking. Pour the hot lemon mixture into the pre-baked pie crust.
As soon as the lemon mixture is in the pie crust, add the meringue to the top of the lemon mixture. Spread the meringue to the edges of the pie, so it is touching the crust. This will prevent it from shrinking. Once it is all added, use the back of a spoon to create a design of peaks.
Bake the pie for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meringue is golden. Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

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