Lemon Meringue Pie is a famous traditional British dish. Sadly the Lemon Meringue Pie fell out of fashion in recent years but I am glad to see it is once again back on the menu. This Lemon Meringue Pie recipe is quick and easy to make. If you are in a hurry then use a shop bought tart case, but for the best results, nothing beats home made pastry.
This is my recipe and it is very lemony as I like a strong tang. If you like less of a lemon flavour then reduce the lemon juice slightly and replace with water.
This is my recipe and it is very lemony as I like a strong tang. If you like less of a lemon flavour then reduce the lemon juice slightly and replace with water.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Rest the dough: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 9"/ 23cm baked shortcrust pastry tart case or
- 10 oz/300g rich shortcrust pastry - RECIPE HERE
- For the Filling
- 3 tbsp corn starch/corn flour
- ¼ pt/150ml water
- Juice and grated rind of 4 unwaxed lemons
- 4 oz/ 110g sugar
- 3 large egg yolks + 1 whole egg
- 2 tbsp soft butter
- For the Meringue
- 4 large egg whites
- 7oz/ 200g superfine/caster sugar
- 2 heaped tsp corn starch/corn flour
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 400°F/gas 6
- Tart Case
- Roll out the pastry and line a 9"/23cm tart tin. Lay a sheet of greaseproof/baking paper and fill with baking beans. Cook for 15 minutes or until the pastry is a pale golden color. Remove the baking beans and cook for a further 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F/175°C/Gas 4
- The Filling
- In a medium saucepan mix the cornstarch/cornflour with the water, add the lemon juice and grated rind and slowly bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly as the mixture begins to thicken.
- Once thick, add the sugar and stir well.
- Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
- Once cooled add the egg yolks and whole egg and beat well until all the egg yolk is incorporated, then beat in the softened butter. Pour into the prepared pastry case.
- The Meringue
- In a clean bowl whisk the egg whites with either a hand or electric whisk until the whites are beginning to rise. Add the sugar, a couple of tablespoons at a time while still whisking, until half the sugar has been added. Add the cornflour, whisk again. Finally add the remaining sugar gradually, again while still whisking. You should have an extremely thick, glossy cream in the bowl.
- Pile the stiff egg whites onto the lemon filling beginning at the edges then filling into the middle. Lightly flick the surface of the meringue to create soft peaks. Bake in the center of the hot oven for approx 20 minutes or until the meringue is crisp and golden brown. Remove from the oven, leave to cool in the tin for 30 minutes, then remove from the tin and eat as soon as possible. Best eaten the same day.
