How to Keep Lemon Meringue

Lemon meringue pie doesn't last long, and not just because it's quickly devoured by friends and family. Meringue is nothing but sugar and egg whites, so no matter how well the pie has been prepared, the meringue will typically break down in a day or two. Careful storage will help keep your lemon meringue pie fresh and fluffy for as long as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl

Instructions

1. Store your pie on your kitchen counter at room temperature (70 to 72 degrees F).

2. 

   Keep your pie away from your oven, stove, open windows or drafty spots.

3. Place an inverted bowl over your pie. It should keep for one to two days before the meringue begins to break down.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are planning to bake your own lemon meringue pie, there are a few things you can do to make your meringue last longer: Use room temperature egg whites; add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to your meringue; spread your meringue over your pie while the filling is still hot; make sure you spread the meringue all the way to the edges of your pie; and bake the meringue until it is just lightly browned.

• Refrigerating your lemon meringue pie will cause the meringue to break down faster.

References

• What's Cooking America: Meringue
• Better Homes and Gardens: Pie Storage

Resources

• Baking 911: Meringues
• Lemon Meringue Pie