TOLEDO, Ohio —
Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs (1 sleeve)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, melted
Meringue:
- 3 Large egg whites
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ cup of sugar
Filling:
- One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 3 large egg yolks, whites reserved for meringue
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- For the crust: In a mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and sugar until combined. Then, stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate and bake for 10 minutes until slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- For the filling: In a medium bowl, mix the condensed milk, lemon juice, zest and egg yolks using a whisk or hand mixer. Pour the mixture into the crust.
- For the meringue: Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, then gradually add the sugar and whip until peaks are stiff.
- Spread the meringue over the pie almost to the edge of the crust. Bake until the meringue browns slightly, about 15 to 20 minutes. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Tips and Tricks:
Crush graham crackers with food processor, or by putting them in a gallon freezer bag and rolling over it with a rolling pin.
If you overbeat the egg whites, they will look foamy and will deflate.
And there you have it! Enjoy the PERFECT pie and check out Jera's Heavenly Sweet at 3059 W Bancroft St. for more sweet treats!