Grandma's Classic Lemon Meringue Pie Delight
Indulge in a slice of nostalgia with Grandma's Classic Lemon Meringue Pie Delight. This luscious dessert features a zesty lemon filling made from fresh lemon juice and zest, enveloped in a flaky baked pie crust. Topped with a pillowy, golden-brown meringue, this recipe is perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or an afternoon treat. Its balance of sweet and tart makes it a timeless favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds. Gather your ingredients, and let the delightful aromas fill your kitchen as you prepare this heavenly dessert that pays homage to classic baking traditions.
N/A
Servings
94
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
white sugar
1 cup (For the lemon filling and meringue.)
all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (For thickening the lemon filling.)
cornstarch
3 tablespoons (For additional thickening of the lemon filling.)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (Enhances sweetness in the filling.)
water
1 1/2 cups (Base for the lemon filling.)
lemons
2 (Juiced and zested for filling.)
butter
2 tablespoons (To enrich the lemon filling.)
egg yolks
4 (Beaten for incorporation into the filling.)
9-inch baked pie crust
1 (Pre-baked and cooled.)
egg whites
4 (Whipped for meringue.)
cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon (Stabilizes the meringue.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Prepare the lemon filling: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup white sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and the zest of 2 lemons.
3
Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches a boil. Once boiling, stir in 2 tablespoons of butter to enrich the filling's texture.
4
In a small bowl, beat 4 egg yolks. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot lemon mixture to temper the yolks. Then, whisk this egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining lemon mixture.
5
Continue to cook the filling, stirring constantly, until it thickens beautifully. Remove the pan from heat and pour the filling into the pre-baked 9-inch pie crust.
6
For the meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, begin whipping 4 egg whites on medium speed until they become frothy. Gradually add 1/4 cup white sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, while continuing to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
7
Once the meringue is ready, carefully spread it over the lemon filling, ensuring the edges are sealed to prevent weeping.
8
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the meringue reaches a golden-brown color. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
9
Let the pie cool at room temperature for a better meringue texture, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
14g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandma's Classic Lemon Meringue Pie Delight?
It is a nostalgic dessert featuring a zesty lemon filling, a flaky pre-baked crust, and a pillowy golden-brown meringue topper.
What are the primary ingredients for the lemon filling?
The filling consists of white sugar, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, water, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, butter, and egg yolks.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
A total of 4 eggs are needed, with the yolks used for the lemon filling and the whites used for the meringue topper.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How do I thicken the lemon filling?
The filling is thickened using a combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch, cooked over medium-high heat until boiling.
What is the purpose of adding butter to the lemon filling?
Two tablespoons of butter are added to the boiling lemon mixture to enrich the filling's texture.
How do I temper the egg yolks?
Beat 4 egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot lemon mixture before adding the yolks back into the saucepan.
What type of pie crust should be used?
The recipe calls for one 9-inch pre-baked pie crust.
How do I make the meringue?
Whip 4 egg whites until frothy, then gradually add 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar while beating until stiff peaks form.
What does cream of tartar do in the meringue?
The cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer for the whipped egg whites to maintain their structure.
How do I prevent the meringue from weeping?
Ensure the meringue is spread carefully over the lemon filling and that the edges are sealed to the crust.
How long does the pie bake?
The pie bakes for approximately 10 minutes, or until the meringue reaches a golden-brown color.
How should I cool the lemon meringue pie?
Let the pie cool at room temperature first to improve the meringue texture, then refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 94 calories.
What is the fat content of this pie?
There are 3 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 14 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
The pie provides 1 gram of protein per serving.
How many lemons do I need for this recipe?
You will need 2 lemons to provide both the juice and the zest for the filling.
What are the main flavor profiles of this dessert?
The dessert is known for its perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Can I use a glass bowl for the meringue?
Yes, a large glass or metal bowl is recommended for whipping the egg whites.
How much sugar is used in the lemon filling?
The filling requires 1 cup of white sugar.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 ingredients total in this recipe.
Is the meringue baked separately?
No, the meringue is spread over the filling and baked on the pie for the final 10 minutes.
What tags describe this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as dessert, pie, lemon meringue, classic recipe, grandma's recipe, sweet and tart, homemade, and baking.
How much water is needed for the filling?
The filling requires 1 1/2 cups of water as a base.
Should I use fresh or bottled lemon juice?
The description specifies using fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
What speed should I use to whip the egg whites?
Begin whipping the egg whites on medium speed until they become frothy.
Does this recipe include fiber information?
No, the nutritional data for fiber is not provided for this recipe.
What is the sodium content?
The sodium content is not specified in the nutritional facts provided.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt to enhance the sweetness of the filling.