Ultimate lemon meringue pie

Ultimate lemon meringue pie

You can't go wrong with one of Angela Nilsen's ultimates and this is no exception

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 1 hr 30 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 45 mins

Or 40-50 mins if baking the pastry a day ahead

Method

  1. For the pastry, put the flour, butter, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and 1 tbsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button so the mix is not overworked, process until the mix starts to bind. Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don't worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for 1⁄2-1 hour (or overnight).
  2. Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Bake the pastry case 'blind' (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. (Can be done a day ahead if you want to get ahead.) Lower the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
  3. While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix the cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make orange juice up to 200ml/7fl oz with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn't curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue.
  4. Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in the cornflour, then add the rest of the sugar as before until smooth and thick. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl. Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another 1⁄2-1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day.
Try

Not quite what you're looking for?

Try some of our other lemony treats, Lemon drizzle cake, Luscious lemon baked cheesecake or Fastest-ever lemon pudding .

Per serving

480 kcalories, protein 7.0g, carbohydrate 64.0g, fat 24.0 g, saturated fat 13.0g, fibre 1.0g, sugar 41.0g, salt 0.53 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2005.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 81-100

  • Binder photo cc

    02 September 2010

    cc rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • Binder photo emma_l_smith

    06 September 2010

    emma_l_smith rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo miss cookie cream

    09 September 2010

    miss cookie cream commented on this recipe

    this is really good, instead of using meringue i used double cream, i know i wasnt gona finish it all and it will end up the fridge, i dont like meringue after its refrigerated so i used double cream, still yummm

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  • Binder photo di

    09 September 2010

    di rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    My pie did not look as impressive as the picture (think I over beat the egg whites) but it tasted fab and seconds were had by my hubby (praise indeed) and my kids! Will make again.

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  • Binder photo Sam

    16 September 2010

    Sam commented on this recipe

    Help my eggs curdled and I had small bits of cooked egg in my filling. What did I do wrong

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  • Binder photo Lilly

    28 September 2010

    Lilly rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Tasted superb! The meringue didn't go as crisp as I wanted but I think that was more my fault than the recipe's. Definitely a keeper

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  • Binder photo James Ponter

    28 September 2010

    James Ponter rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Fantastic , tasted wonderful!

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  • Binder photo Wonder Cook

    02 October 2010

    Wonder Cook rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Sarah

    14 October 2010

    Sarah rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    "Can we have Lemon Meringue Pie for pudding?" My "oh yes" reply disguised my panic as I had not made one before. Thankfully your recipe was really easy to follow and the results were gorgeous. We ate it hot as no one could wait for it to cool down!

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  • Binder photo Nkechi

    03 November 2010

    Nkechi rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This pie was absolutely delicious. I've disliked lemon meringue ever since it was served to me as part of school dinners but I decided to make this for my husband as it was a childhood favourite of his. What can I say? It was lovely - I'm a convert. I did make a few changes to the recipe though. I only used 75g of sugar in the meringue and it was still sweet enough for us. I also only used one lemon, next time I will leave out the zest as I am not too keen on lemony things. This was the first time I have made a meringue anything and it won't be my last.

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  • Binder photo Auria

    12 November 2010

    Auria rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    No need to worry about the left over's or even washing the bowls! First time making a lemon meringue pie for me. I had no idea what to expect as I've never even eaten one before ... amazing result. Everyone wanted seconds. Easy to follow recipe (although I substituted a few things) and it turned out perfect first time!

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  • Binder photo Dory

    04 December 2010

    Dory rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely fabulous!

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  • Binder photo smartimarti

    28 December 2010

    smartimarti rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This recipe has to be awarded for taste, looks and delivery of recipe cos it does exactly what it says on the tin.. i have made this particular recipe 3 times now and it delivers every time, the addition of orange is just lovely as it keeps the taste very fresh and citrus without being to sharp! the pastry is easy and melts in your mouth, i make mine in the processor and add the butter, icing sugar, egg yolk and water (hot) to create a wet paste, then adding the flour last. i make all my short pastry this way and it is always melting in the mouth... whether i make 1lb or 4kg at a time. throw any recipe you have for LMP, and keep this and pass it on to avid cooks and friends it's definately a winner ...well done good food!

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  • Binder photo ang_hee

    06 January 2011

    ang_hee rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely wonderful recipe and the results are even better! Don't be put off with what I'm about to say but it is time consuming and you've to wait a good while after it's baked before you can eat it to allow it to cool. Saying that it was my first time making it so I hope that the time to table will decrease. It is worthwhile making the pastry the day before as suggested. Superb taste, everyone wanted seconds and some wanted thirds! It's true that it tastes best on the day of baking but found that the small bit that did survive till the next day was still ok if not perfect. I will make this recipe again.

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  • Binder photo Rachael

    13 January 2011

    Rachael commented on this recipe

    I recently made some delicious tangy lemon curd - does anyone know if I could use this for the filling?? Don't see why it shouldn't work, but not sure about heating it up to bake the meringue?

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  • Binder photo Denyse Walker

    15 January 2011

    Denyse Walker commented on this recipe

    Made this for a family occasion - everyone loved it! Really lemony and perfect consistency. I would definitely make it again.

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  • Binder photo wibble

    19 January 2011

    wibble rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo tradingbubble

    28 January 2011

    tradingbubble rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    absolutely fabulous. When it says ultimate its so true. I make lemon meringue often and my dad said this was the best he's ever tasted. Wants me to make him one for himself! However i would not put all that butter in the lemon mixture next time i dont think it needs it. I made double quantities for a 12 flan tin. certainly not for anyone on a diet!

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  • Binder photo justplainzo

    28 January 2011

    justplainzo rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    Oh no! Where did I go wrong? I've made lemon meringue pie a few times, one time in particular it was absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately I lost that recipe, so chose to do this one tonight for a dinner party since it got such great reviews. Total disaster! The curd wouldn't thicken properly, the meringue wasn't thick enough and barely covered the top of the pie. I cooked it, hoping for the best and it has come out, cooled and the curd is still runny and too sharp in flavour. The meringue isn't the right consistency at all either. So disappointed! I wish I could find my other recipe...

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  • Binder photo allatsea

    31 January 2011

    allatsea rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    This is a good recipe (the pastry, filling and meringue were all perfect before cooking) ...however: When assembling the dessert and reheating the lemon filling, I don't think the recipe gives enough guidance about how hot the lemon should be. I now know that it has to be piping hot so that it starts to cook the underside of the meringue. I didn't realise at the time and so the meringue started weeping and my pastry ended up slightly soggy. It tasted very nice and I'll give it another go at some point.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 1 hr 30 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 45 mins

Or 40-50 mins if baking the pastry a day ahead

Sensationally light, lemony and buttery

Ingredients

FOR THE PASTRY

  • 175g plain flour
  • 100g cold butter , cut in small pieces
  • 1 tbsp icing sugar
  • 1 egg yolk

FOR THE FILLING

  • 2 level tbsp cornflour
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • finely grated zest 2 large lemon
  • 125ml fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
  • juice 1 small orange
  • 85g butter , cut into pieces
  • 3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg

FOR THE MERINGUE

  • 4 egg whites , room temperature
  • 200g golden caster sugar
  • 2 level tsp cornflour
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Per serving

480 kcalories, protein 7.0g, carbohydrate 64.0g, fat 24.0 g, saturated fat 13.0g, fibre 1.0g, sugar 41.0g, salt 0.53 g

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