Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Keywords: lemon meringue pie, homemade pie, classic lemon pie, deesviral recipes

Ingredients

For the Lemon Filling

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1½ cups water
• 2 medium lemons, juiced and zested
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 baked 9-inch pie crust

For the Meringue

• 4 egg whites
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
4. Add butter and stir until melted.
5. Slowly whisk a small amount of hot filling into the beaten egg yolks, then pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook 2 more minutes while stirring.
6. Pour the lemon filling into the baked pie crust.
7. For the meringue, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla if desired.
8. Spread the meringue over the hot filling, sealing the edges to the crust.
9. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the meringue is lightly golden.
10. Cool completely before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips

• Spread meringue while the filling is still hot to prevent shrinking.
• Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest flavor.
• Chill the pie for cleaner slices and a firmer texture.

Why This Recipe Works

The smooth homemade lemon custard delivers the perfect balance of tart and sweet, while the fluffy baked meringue creates a light airy topping that complements the buttery crust beautifully.