Magic Lemon Meringue Pie

By mschweickert

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 3 large egg yolks (whites reserved for the meringue)
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup sugar

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 35mins
Cooking time 55mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter until fully combined. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.

Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix the condensed milk, lemon juice, zest and egg yolks. Pour into the crust.

Make the meringue: Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar until stiff peaks form.

Spread the meringue over the pie and seal the edge of the crust. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meringue browns slightly. (Be sure to watch the pie while it's baking. Meringue can burn quickly.) Let cool slightly on a rack, then chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving.

Photograph by Anna Williams