Lemon Meringue Pie
2 cups sugar, divided
1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups cold water plus 1/3 cup cool water, divided
1/2 cup lemon juice
5 eggs, separated
2 Tbsp. butter
1 to 3 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked and cooled
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Lemon peel twists, optional
Mint leaves, optional |
In large saucepan, stir together
1-1/2 cups of the sugar, 1/3 cup of the cornstarch, and
the salt. Gradually stir in the 1-1/2 cups cold water and
the lemon juice until smooth. In small bowl, beat egg yolks
until well blended. Stir into sugar mixture until blended.
Add butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly,
until mixture thickens and boils. Boil, stirring constantly,
1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon peel. Pour hot
filling into pie shell. In large mixing bowl at high speed,
beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Add the
remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating constantly
until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand
in soft peaks. (Rub just a bit of meringue between thumb
and forefinger to feel if sugar has dissolved.) Into small
saucepan, sprinkle the remaining 1 Tbsp. cornstarch. Add
the remaining 1/3 cup cool water. Let stand 1 minute. Stir
well. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Let cool a
few minutes. Add to egg whites, 1 to 2 Tbsp. at a time,
beating constantly. Beat in vanilla. Spread meringue over
hot filling, starting with small amounts at edges and sealing
to crust all around. Cover pie with remaining meringue,
spreading evenly in attractive swirls. Bake in preheated
325-degree oven until peaks are lightly browned, about 16
to 18 minutes. Cool on wire rack, about 30 minutes to 1
hour. Serve immediately or refrigerate, uncovered, until
serving. Garnish with lemon peel twists and mint leaves,
if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
(Note: When pie is refrigerated, beads may form on meringue.
Gently touch beads with tip of folded paper towel until
absorbed.)
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