• Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
    • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Blog

The Domestic Rebel

Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Desserts

  • Recipe Index
    • Browse by Flavor
      • Cake Batter
      • Caramel
      • Cheesecake
      • Coconut
      • Coffee
      • Cookie Dough
      • Lemon
      • Mint
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pumpkin
      • S’mores
      • Snickerdoodle
      • Sweet and Salty
    • Brownies, Blondies & Bars
    • Brownie Bombs
    • Candy, Bark, and Candy Toppers
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes & Cake
    • Donuts & Other Breakfast Fare
    • Drinks
    • Fudge
    • Guilt-Free Treats
    • Holiday Goodies
    • Ice Cream & Frozen Confections
    • No-Bake Treats
    • Pie
    • Miscellaneous Truffles & Treats
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me

Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie

April 11, 2019 by thedomesticrebel | 8 Comments

29604 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping! Lemon Meringue Pie often has a reputation of being hard to make, but I promise you, my Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie recipe is easy, delicious, and perfect for all year round!

I really cannot think of a more perfect pie for spring, can you?

And if you ever thought lemon meringue pie sounds too daunting – whether it be too many eggs that are all separated, or finicky meringue-making, or preparing the lemon custard… well I have to say, I was there too! For the longest time, I put off making this type of pie because frankly, the steps seemed a little scary to me. I know I’m a pretty awesome home baker but could I manage to make a meringue pie without it completely blowing up in my face?

Yes, yes I could! And I did! And so can you 🙂

I think what helps take some of the pressure off is that components can be made step-by-step which eliminates some of that harried need to scramble and get everything together at once. Between whisking the meringue and cooking the filling, there are a few parts to this recipe, but I promise it will be explained thoroughly so you can get to eating it faster!

What I love about this pie is the lemon custard filling. It is so thick and rich and sweet with this tart edge that cuts through some of that sweetness. And the filling recipe makes a TON – just look at how high that filling is piled into the pastry crust! – so there’s no skimpy, barely-there lemon flavor here. It packs a punch, which is what I want my sweet-tart lemon pie to do.

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping! And the meringue is a mile-high, sweet and light and airy with a hint of sugar and lots of whipped egg whites for a fluffy cloud that tops the lemon custard. After the meringue is made, you simply spread it high onto the custard pie, sealing the edges of the pie with the meringue and creating little peaks and valleys with your rubber spatula so they get toasted evenly in the oven.

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping!

All in all, this Lemon Meringue Pie is not only gorgeous, it’s easy and most importantly, DELICIOUS! I know you’re going to love it!

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping!

*adapted from Southern Living Magazine

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping!
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is one of my new favorites because of how EASY and beautiful it is! A homemade, tart and sweet lemon custard, a flaky pie crust and a mile-high sweetened, fluffy meringue complete this tasty pie.
Prep Time4 hrs
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time4 hrs 25 mins
Course: Dessert, Pie
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Servings: 8 -10
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • One deep dish 9" pie crust baked
  • FOR THE LEMON CUSTARD:
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 5 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch salt
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1¾ cups water
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Zest of one lemon
  • FOR THE MERINGUE:
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place the baked pie crust on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips once filled.
  • For the lemon custard: In a medium sauce pot, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt until no clumps remain. Add in the egg yolks, water, and lemon juice and whisk until combined. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to boil, about 10 minutes. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from the heat and add in the butter and lemon zest, stirring until combined. Pour the custard into the prepared pie crust.
  • For the meringue: In a very clean and dry bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar together on HIGH speed with the whisk attachment, just until foamy. Gradually add in the sugar, about one Tablespoon at a time, beating until the mixture forms stiff peaks, about 2-4 minutes. Add in the vanilla and beat well.
  • Spread the meringue quickly over the lemon custard, sealing the custard under a layer of meringue. Pop the pie into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching closely so the meringue doesn't burn. It should be light golden brown and toasted. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours to set before serving.

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping! This beauty does need time to chill, but once it is ready, it’s a slice of heaven!

This Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie is the only recipe you'll need! If you're intimidated by meringue pies, don't be! This recipe is super simple, comes together easily and most importantly, is DELICIOUS with a sweet, tart lemon custard and a fluffy and light meringue topping!

Have a super sweet day!

xo, Hayley

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Comments

  1. Diane T says

    April 21, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    This came out PERFECT! Except I doubled the meringue portion- can’t wait to taste it! 🙂

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      April 21, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      Diane, so glad you enjoyed! Genius idea to double the meringue!

      Reply
  2. Kim says

    May 14, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Just making the filing now. How thick should it be? Only costs the back of the spoon after about 12 minutes. Yours looks so good!! Thanks

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      May 14, 2020 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Kim! Almost like a custard consistency!

      Reply
  3. Lisa says

    July 4, 2020 at 9:24 am

    I am making this for the second time. My family LOVED it when I made it before. Can you make the filling ahead, like a day? If so, does it need to be refrigerated? Thank you!

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      July 4, 2020 at 6:37 pm

      Hi Lisa, you absolutely could make the filling ahead of time! I would refrigerate, yes, and I would cover it with plastic wrap directly onto the filling to prevent a “skin” from forming. Sometimes this can happen with those custard-y cooked fillings. If one forms anyway, it’s fine and totally edible but this just helps prevent that skin from forming.

      Reply
    • Barbara Thieman says

      July 26, 2021 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      If the lemon custard is already cooked why do you have.to bake it so long? It shouldn’t take 20 min. for the meringue to brown? Could you just put it under the broiler? If the crust Is pre baked, does it get over brown and.hard??

      Reply
  4. Ruby says

    March 20, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    I did it and the result was very acidic. after waiting 3 hours in the refrigerator the filling came out watery (it was perfect before putting it in the oven for the meringue).

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About me

Welcome to The Domestic Rebel! My name is Hayley and I am the 31-year old writer, photographer, recipe developer, taste-tester and creator of this blog. I’m so glad you’ve stopped by my little slice of sprinkly, butter-laden heaven on the interwebs. If it wasn’t apparent, I like to bake… a lot. Read More…

Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Featured Post

sugar pie squares stacked on a white plate and a green towel

Sugar Pie Squares

More Posts from this Category

Newsletter

Stay up to date with all posts

Order My Cookbooks!

Out of the box Holiday

Archives

Archives

Categories

Search

Visit my Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Designer Blogs

29604 shares