Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
Billowy lofts of meringue piled on a lusciously smooth sweet-tart lemon pie filling makes this delectable lemon meringue pie a never fail classic favorite.
Homemade lemon meringue pie is a favorite dessert of many – including me. Billows of soft, slightly browned meringue topping over a delicious lemony homemade filling in a pie crust is like a taste of sunshine in every bite.
My mom loved to bake pies, so I pulled out her vintage cookbook and make the old fashioned lemon pie she always made. My family was thrilled!;)
How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie from Scratch
Homemade lemon meringue pie has three parts:
- The crust – you can make a homemade pie crust or purchase a storebought one.
- The filling – Lemon pie filling is made in a similar way as homemade pudding – cooked over the stove.
- The meringue topping – The fluffy topping that is browned to perfection is made up of beaten egg whites and sugar.
Ingredients you’ll need for the homemade lemon pie filling:
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind
- (Plus a 9 inch baked pie crust)
Ingredients you’ll need for the meringue topping:
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp. cream of tarter OR 1 tsp lemon juice
- 6 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
How to Make Lemon Meringue Pie Step by Step
Lemon meringue pie is a bit of a time sensitive recipe, so it helps to have everything laid out ahead of time. Before you start on the filling, get things ready for the meringue as well, since the meringue needs to be piled on the filling while it is still hot.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact instructions and step by step details.
Step 1: Assemble all your ingredients and supplies together and preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Step 2: Prebake your pie crust according to directions. Make the cooked lemon pie filling. Pour the lemon pie filling into the pre-baked pie crust.
Step 3: Whip up the meringue and pile onto the warm pie filling. Bake the pie at 400 degrees for 7 – 10 minutes, or until the peaks of the meringue are just beginning to brown. (Keep an eye on it!)
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
This classic lemon meringue pie recipe with a perfect sweet and tangy filling and light, fluffy meringue is best made from scratch - a favorite recipe from the past!
Ingredients
- (FOR THE LEMON PIE FILLING)1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind
- (Plus a 9 inch baked pie crust)
- (FOR THE MERINGUE TOPPING) :3 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp. cream of tarter OR 1 tsp lemon juice
- 6 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
Step 1: Assemble all your ingredients and supplies together and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2: Make the cooked lemon pie filling.
In a medium sized sauce pan, mix together the sugar and cornstarch.
Slowly stir in the water.
Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, stirring constantly.
Boil for 2 minutes
Remove from heat and slowly stir half of the hot mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks.
Return all the mixture back into the saucepan. Continue stirring and cooking and boil again for another 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, butter, and grated lemon rind.
Pour into baked pie shell.
Step 3: Make the meringue
In a large stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tarter OR lemon juice until white and frothy.
Very slowly add in the sugar, beating constantly.
Continue beating until white and stiff peaks form. You cannot overbeat this, so make sure it is beaten well!
Once the meringue is at the stiff peak stage, add in the vanilla.
Step 4: Pile the meringue on the hot lemon pie filling
Pile the meringue onto the pie filling making sure the meringue goes all the way to the crust so the edge is sealed. Swirl the meringue and pull up points for a decorative top.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the pie at 400 degrees for 7 – 10 minutes, or until the peaks of the meringue are just beginning to brown. (Keep an eye on it!)
Let cool completely away from drafts before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 287Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 0gSugar: 50gProtein: 3g
Let cool completely away from drafts before cutting and serving.
Tips for making Lemon Meringue Pie from scratch
- Don’t stress if it isn’t perfect! There are many parts to a lemon meringue pie that are a bit finicky, so don’t focus on perfection. It will still taste amazing, I’m sure!
- To try to prevent the meringue from “weeping” (oily beads forming on the top of the meringue) be sure to add the meringue to the hot filling. Although I did that, this time it wept anyway! See the point above this…lemon meringue pies have a mind of their own. Another tip I read to prevent weeping is to avoid making this pie on a humid day. (Hmm…that’s not possible for some of us!)
- If your pie does weep (like mine did) and the beads bother you, they can be removed one by one with a q-tip. (That’s what I did!;)
Other dessert recipes that may interest you:
- Best cherry pie recipe with canned cherries (also my Mom’s yummy recipe!).
- This old fashioned strawberry pie with jello is so quick and easy to make with fresh strawberries.
- Banana cream pie with cooked pudding is another crowd favorite recipe perfect for special occasions.
- Grandma’s Luscious Lemon Bars
- A list of lemon recipes- easy for sweet or savory dishes.
For more recipes and ideas for your home:
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I’ve made lemon meringue pie from scratch before and I completely agree with you; storebought just can’t compare…but it’s most decidedly a labour of love. 😂 I’m going to give your recipe a try! Lemon meringue is a favourite on both sides of my husband and my family, so it’s always well appreciated when I do decide to put in the effort and make one, haha.
My youngest son’s 20th birthday is this week and he said he wanted lemon meringue pie instead of a cake. Sounds good, but I had no idea how to make lemon meringue pie! lol Thanks so much for the easy directions and delicious recipe! You have saved his birthday!
I have always been so intimidated by the thought of making my own lemon meringue pie recipe–it has just always seemed so difficult! I might try this recipe, though!
I decided early in my adult life that meringue hates me and haven’t tried it in years. But my husband loves it. So I am off to try again. Thanks for the detailed instructions on how to make lemon meringue pie. Stay tuned and cross your fingers!
Lemon meringue pie is my husband’s favorite! It has been years since I made it from scratch!
I’m so glad I stumbled across your lemon meringue pie recipe. It’s been years since I’ve had a homemade lemon pie. I can’t wait to make this!
I have been wanting to learn how to make a lemon meringue pie. I am so happy I found this helpful post. I’m going to try it tomorrow!