Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

Lemon Meringue Pie is one of the most beloved desserts that combine a perfect balance of tangy lemon filling, crispy meringue topping, and a buttery, flaky crust. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, special occasion, or just a casual treat, this pie is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet cravings. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make the perfect Lemon Meringue Pie—from the ingredients and equipment to detailed step-by-step instructions.

What is Lemon Meringue Pie?

Lemon Meringue Pie is a classic American dessert made with a crisp pastry crust, a smooth and tangy lemon custard filling, and topped with a fluffy meringue made from whipped egg whites and sugar. The pie is baked until the meringue is golden brown, providing the perfect contrast to the tartness of the lemon filling. It’s a wonderful dessert that captures both sweet and sour flavors in one decadent treat!

Why You’ll Love Lemon Meringue Pie

• Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of tart lemon filling and sweet, airy meringue creates a wonderful contrast of flavors and textures.
• Impressive Dessert: Lemon Meringue Pie looks stunning on any dessert table, making it perfect for holidays, parties, and family gatherings.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness and tartness to suit your personal preferences, and it’s versatile enough to pair with different types of crusts.
• Classic Favorite: This timeless dessert is loved by many for its delicious, nostalgic taste.

Lemon Meringue Pie Ingredients

To make this irresistible pie, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 4-5 tablespoons cold water

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 ¼ cups water
• 6 large egg yolks (reserve the egg whites for the meringue)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Meringue Topping:

• 6 large egg whites
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Essential Equipment for Lemon Meringue Pie

To successfully bake your Lemon Meringue Pie, you’ll need the following tools:

• 9-inch pie dish (preferably glass for even cooking)
• Rolling pin (for rolling out the dough)
• Whisk (for the lemon filling and meringue)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer (for beating the meringue)
• Medium saucepan (for preparing the lemon filling)
• Mixing bowls (for meringue and lemon filling)
• Cooling rack (for cooling the pie after baking)
• Pastry brush (optional, for egg wash if making your own crust)

Lemon Meringue Pie Nutrition Table

If you’re looking for more festive dessert ideas for Easter, be sure to check out our Simnel Cake Recipe for another classic treat that pairs perfectly with this Lemon Meringue Pie!

How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie

Here are the step-by-step instruction about Lemon Meringue Pie.

Step 1: Make the Pie Crust

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough begins to come together.
2. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
3. Roll and Bake the Crust: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough into your pie dish and press it into the edges. Trim any excess dough, leaving about 1-inch around the edges. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust to prevent it from puffing up. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Filling

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually whisk in the water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and turns into a clear, smooth filling (about 5 minutes). Once thickened, remove from heat.
3. Add Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Slowly whisk in about a cup of the hot sugar mixture to temper the yolks, then return the egg yolk mixture back to the saucepan. Cook over low heat for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Finish the Filling: Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter until the butter has melted and the filling is smooth.
5. Cool the Filling: Pour the lemon filling into the prepared pie crust. Allow the filling to cool slightly while you prepare the meringue.

Step 3: Make the Meringue Topping

1. Beat the Egg Whites: In a clean, large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
2. Add Vanilla: Once the meringue is stiff and glossy, fold in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

1. Top with Meringue: Spread the meringue over the lemon filling, making sure to spread it all the way to the edges of the crust to seal the filling inside.
2. Bake the Pie: Bake the pie at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
3. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool to room temperature for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set properly.

Tips for Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key to a tangy and flavorful filling. Avoid bottled lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Avoid Watery Meringue: Make sure the meringue peaks are stiff before baking, as under-beaten egg whites can result in a runny topping.
• Prevent Sogginess: To prevent a soggy crust, bake the crust until golden before adding the filling and meringue.
• Let the Pie Set: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to ensure the lemon filling sets properly and doesn’t run.

Why You Should Make Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie is a classic dessert that blends tangy, sweet, and creamy elements in one perfect bite. Its zesty lemon filling, paired with a fluffy meringue topping, is sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether for a holiday, special event, or a casual treat, this pie is guaranteed to impress your guests and leave them coming back for seconds.