How to Make The Easiest Lemon Meringue Pie

Cut down on preparation time by grabbing a pre-made crust.

Whether you are planning a special dinner event or simply want to bring an impressive tasty dessert to a party, baking an easy lemon meringue pie is the way to go. Even if you don't have the culinary skills of a professional chef, you can still make a lemon meringue pie quickly and easily. By taking a few shortcuts and by using minimal cooking items and ingredients, you can prepare a delicious lemon meringue pie in under 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Ready-made pie crust
• 2-qt. saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• 6 tbsp. sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• Small bowl
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 drops yellow food coloring
• Electric mixer
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp .cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Purchase a premade pie crust from your local grocer to cut back on crust preparation and baking time.

2. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F or as specified on pie crust packaging. Bake the pie crust eight to 15 minutes, or as specified on crust label. Turn oven off and allow pie crust to cool.

3. Prepare the lemon filling. In a 2-qt. saucepan, mix 6 tbsp. sugar and 1/3 cup of cornstarch with a wooden spoon. Gradually stir in water.

4. Place the saucepan over medium heat. As it boils, stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Continue to stir as mixture boils for one minute.

5. Crack and separate three eggs. In a small bow, beat only the egg yolks with a whisk for one minute. Stir half of the hot mixture into the bowl with egg yolks. Pour yolk mixture into the hot mixture in the saucepan. Boil for an additional two minutes as you continue to stir, then remove the saucepan from heat.

6. Stir in 3 tbsp. of butter, 2 tsp. of grated lemon peel, 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 2 drops of yellow food coloring.

7. Pour mixture into pie crust. Set oven to 400 degrees F.

8. To make the meringue, beat three egg whites and 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar with electric mixer set on high speed. Beat until the egg whites and tartar become foamy. Add in 6 tbsp. of sugar -- 1 tbsp. at a time -- while continuing to beat mixture until stiff. Beat in 1/2 tsp. of vanilla.

9. Spoon the meringue mixture onto the lemon pie filling. Spread the meringue mix over the filling. Seal meringue to the edge of the crust to prevent shrinking. Bake the lemon meringue pie in the oven for eight to 12 minutes, or until meringue is lightly brown. Allow the meringue pie to cool for two hours on a counter top. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and store in a refrigerator until ready to serve.

References

• Article Base: How to Make Easy Lemon Meringue Pie
• Betty Crocker: Luscious Lemon Meringue Pie