Lemon Meringue Pie (Cooks Illustrated)

By zircon50

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 1 cup (7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest plus 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (2 1/2 to 3 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into 2 pieces
• MERENGUE:
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) granulated sugar
• Pie crust:
• 1 recipe single-crust pie dough, fully blind baked and cooled

Preparation

Step 1

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. Grate first and then zest lemons, reserving a tablespoon of the zest and 1/2 cup of lemon juice. Use a fine grater and cover the zest so it doesn’t get dry and it will be unnoticeable in the pie.

Divide eggs: note you’ll need six yolks and only four whites, so use another small bowl for the extra two whites. This is best done by working with one egg at a time over a small bowl or cup. Crack the egg, let the white drip into the cup, then put the yolk in one bowl and the white in another. Repeat.

For the Filling:

In a heavy medium-sized pan, mix together the sugar and cornstarch and salt (under the ingredients for filling.) Whisk in water and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. When mixture starts to turn translucent, (it will still be whitish, but you’ll see the difference) whisking vigorously, add in egg yolks, two at a time. Whisk in lemon zest, juice and butter. Return mixture to brief simmer, whisking constantly, then remove from heat. Lay sheet of plastic wrap directly on surface of filling to keep warm and prevent skin from forming.

For the Meringue:

In a small pan, add the tablespoon of cornstarch, then whisk in 1/3 cup water. Bring to a bare simmer in small saucepan and cook, whisking occasionally, until it just becomes thickened and translucent looking, 1 to 2 minutes at most. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to barely or lukewarm while the eggs are being whisked. It’s helpful to transfer to a small cup as it may continue to cook and harden in the hot pan and be difficult to incorporate into the meringue.

If using stand mixer, fit it with the whisk, and beat egg whites and vanilla at medium low-speed until foamy and frothy. Mix together the cream of tarter and sugar, turn the speed up to medium high and add, a tablespoon at a time until incorporated (it won’t feel grainy when you run a bit between your fingers) and the mixture forms soft, billowy mounds. Continue to whip and add the cornstarch mixture, about a tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about two to three minutes longer.

Assemble:

If filling is not still hot, during the last minutes of beating the egg whites, remove plastic and return to very low heat for just a moment or two to warm.

Pour warm filling into cooled pre-baked pie crust. Working quickly, dollop meringue in small mounds across the hot pie filling. Using rubber spatula, immediately distribute meringue evenly around edge and then center of pie, attaching meringue to pie crust to prevent shrinking. Top off with any remaining meringue. Using the back of spoon, create attractive swirls and peaks in meringue. (I personally like to use the spoon to make small “scallops” with only a very few peaks which prevents the peaks from over baking before the rest is nicely browned.) Bake until meringue is light golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Cool to room temperature on a rack (at least two hours, Cook’s says, but I’d say three & half). This pie is at it’s best the same day.