Lemon Meringue Pie

My parents have 1 lemon tree and every year it produces a ton of lemons. They taste fantastic and we looove lemons. SO I swipe a couple....... dozen. :) This last Christmas I made my first Lemon Meringue Pie for my parents Christmas dinner. I would've made 2 if I had known it was gonna turn out so good! I doubted that I could make one, but it's easy peasy lemon sqeezy. You can do it! :)

Funny story... I stayed up til 2 in the morning helping Santa on Christmas Eve. Then I made this pie and crust. I wanted it to be cooled before I topped it with the meringue, after the Christmas hub bub. I didn't get to bed til like 2:30. I was so surprised the pie turned out! This is my 2 AM pie.....

(Recipe from 2004 Logandale Stake cookbook, page 237)


I used the Basic Flaky Pie Crust recipe and you can find the recipe HERE.

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

• 1 c. Sugar
• 6 T. cornstarch
• 1/8 t. Salt
• 2 c. water
• 3 egg yolks (save whites for meringue top)
  

*Heat in double boiler, if you have one. Cook & stir ingredients (EXCLUDING egg yolks) until thick and boils (not over boiler). Put over water and cook covered for 10 minutes. Stir egg yolks with fork and temper. Then add to the cornstarch mix and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

• 3 T. Butter
• 1/3 c. Lemon juice
• 1 T. grated lemon zest

* Remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon. Cool a few minutes before pouring into cool baked 9" pie shell. Cool completely before topping. *Do not cover pie with foil. You don't want it to be wet on top when adding the meringue.*

"NEVER FAIL MERINGUE":

• 1 T. cornstarch
• 2 T. Cold water
• 1/2 c. Boiling water
• 3 egg whites
• 6 T. Sugar
• Salt (dash)
• 1 t. vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend cornstarch & cold water in sauce pan. Add boiling water and cook, stirring until thick & clear. Let stand until completely cold.
   
2. Beat egg whites til foamy. Then gradually add sugar and beat until stiff but not dry.
3. Turn speed to low and stir in vanilla and salt.
4. Gradually add in cold cornstarch mix. Turn speed to high and beat well!
5. Spread onto lemon pie and spread making the meringue touch the crust.
   
6. Bake @ 350* for 10-12 minutes til golden brown.