Lemon Meringue Pie is a timeless dessert that combines the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors with a flaky crust, silky lemon filling, and a fluffy, toasted meringue topping. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks as good as it tastes!
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe 🍋🥧
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This recipe is great for special occasions, holidays, or whenever you’re craving a refreshing citrus dessert. With homemade lemon curd and a cloud-like meringue, this pie is both elegant and comforting. Plus, making it from scratch allows you to control the sweetness and texture, ensuring a bakery-quality treat right at home!
This Classic Lemon Meringue Pie features a buttery pie crust, tangy lemon filling, and light, fluffy meringue topping. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart for any dessert lover!
Equipment
• 9-inch pie pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Saucepan
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Spatula
• Baking sheet
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
• 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade)
For the Lemon Filling
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 ½ cups water
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Meringue Topping
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Roll out the pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan. Prick the bottom with a fork.
3️⃣ Line with parchment paper, add pie weights or dried beans, and blind bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Let cool.
Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling
4️⃣ In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and water over medium heat. Cook until thickened.
5️⃣ In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks. Slowly add a spoonful of hot mixture to temper the eggs.
6️⃣ Pour the tempered eggs back into the saucepan and whisk continuously.
7️⃣ Stir in lemon juice, zest, and butter. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
8️⃣ Pour the filling into the baked pie crust.
Step 3: Make the Meringue
9️⃣ In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
🔟 Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla extract.
1️⃣1️⃣ Spread the meringue over the warm lemon filling, making sure it touches the edges of the crust to seal.
Step 4: Bake & Serve
1️⃣2️⃣ Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until the meringue is golden brown.
1️⃣3️⃣ Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Storage Options
• Refrigerator: Store leftover pie in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
• Freezer: Not recommended, as meringue can become soggy when thawed.
Notes & Tips
✅ For the best meringue, make sure there is no egg yolk in the whites.
✅ Seal the meringue to the crust edges to prevent shrinking.
✅ Use fresh lemons for the best flavor—bottled juice won’t give the same result!
Enjoy this Classic Lemon Meringue Pie—a delicious, homemade treat that’s light, tangy, and absolutely irresistible! 🍋💕