The Very Best Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie

Step 1

Using a food processor or a pastry blender cut cold butter into flour and salt until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Small pieces of butter should still be visible.

Step 2

Pour cold water over the mixture and work in by tossing with a fork until dough begins to form. Use your hands as little as possible and work the dough as little as possible.

Step 3

Divide dough into 2 balls, flatten into 2 rounds, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes. You can freeze the second round for another time.

Step 4

You can make your dough the previous day but make sure you take it out of the fridge for 10 minutes to warm slightly before rolling out.

Step 5

Roll the dough into a 12 inch round and place in the bottom of a 10 inch pie plate.

Step 6

Trim and flute the edges as desired. Poke a few holes in the bottom of the pastry shell, rest in the refrigerator for an additional 20 minutes before baking at 400 degrees F for 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown. (For best results I often now blind bake the crust as shown tin the photos above.)

Step 7

Cool completely before adding the filling.

Step 8

In a medium saucepan, combine corn starch, cake flour, sugar and salt. Pour in water and stir constantly over medium low heat until mixture comes to a slow boil.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the heat and reduce the flame to low.

Step 10

Pour about a cup of this mixture onto the slightly beaten egg yolks while whisking constantly.

Step 11

Pour the egg mixture back into the rest of the other mixture in the pot, whisking constantly.

Step 12

Return to the stove and cook for an additional 3 minutes stirring constantly.

Step 13

Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and lemon rind.

Step 14

Finally whisk in your butter one tbsp at a time.

Step 15

Pour the filling into the baked and cooled shell. Let stand for a few minutes while preparing the meringue.

Step 16

Whip egg whites, vanilla, salt and cream of tarter to soft peaks.

Step 17

Very gradually add the sugar while continuing to beat the egg whites.

Step 18

Dollop in heaping tablespoonfuls onto pie. Gently spread over the filling, making sure that the meringue touches the crust all the way around the pie. This will help to prevent the meringue from shrinking.

Step 19

Bake in a 325 degree F oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the meringue is well browned. Cool pie thoroughly in the refrigerator before serving.

Step 20

Keep refrigerated.

Step 21

Dip a sharp knife in cold water to help with cutting the pie into slices and clean the knife with paper towel between cuts.