Lemon Meringue Pie

1            Flaky Pie Crust, blind baked and cooled

For the filling:

1½         cups granulated sugar

¼           cup, plus 3 tablespoons cornstarch

1½         cups water

¾           cup fresh lemon juice

7            large egg yolks (reserve whites for meringue)

5            tablespoons (⅔  stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces

Zest of 3 lemons

 Meringue topping:

7            large egg whites (reserved from eggs)

¾           cup, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

2            tablespoons water

1            teaspoon cream of tartar

⅛         teaspoon kosher salt

Nutritional analysis per serving (based on 12 servings): Calories 393 (38% from fat) • carb. 56g • pro. 5g fat 17g • sat. fat 10g • chol. 140mg • sod. 105mg calc. 15mg • fiber 0g

Position the oven rack in the upper third of the oven. Set the oven to High broil. Have the prebaked Flaky Pie Crust ready to fill.

To make the lemon filling, place the granulated sugar and cornstarch in a 2½-quart saucepan and stir together.  Add the water and lemon juice and stir until smooth. Place over medium heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Whisk the egg yolks in a separate mixing bowl. While whisking constantly, add about one half of the hot liquid to the egg yolks. Stir the now “tempered” egg yolks into the saucepan together with the remaining liquid and place over medium heat. Stirring or whisking constantly, cook until quite thickened and just beginning to bubble, about 5 to 6 minutes.  Add the butter and stir until blended. Stir in  the zest until completely blended. Cover until ready to fill pie; keep warm.

To make the meringue: Put the egg whites, 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, the 2 tablespoons water and the cream of tartar into the Cuisinart®  mixing bowl and stir until smooth. Attach the chef’s whisk and whisk on Speed 3 for 30 seconds. Increase the speed to Speed 12 and slowly add the remaining ¾ cup of granulated sugar.  Add the salt and whip until the egg whites form stiff peaks, about 4 minutes.

Spread the hot lemon filling into the prepared pie shell. Top the filling with the meringue, taking care to spread the meringue to touch the crust all the way around.  Make decorative swirls and peaks on the meringue as desired. This makes a generous, meringue topping – if you prefer, use less.

Broil until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for one hour, then refrigerate for several hours, uncovered, until completely chilled.

TIPS: When making a Lemon Meringue Pie, it is important that the filling is hot when topped with the meringue before baking to prevent the meringue from shrinking.

This pie is best served the day it is made.