Meringue Topping... You Don't Weep, It Doesn't Either!!
photo by Amber C.
- Ready In:
- 30mins
- Ingredients:
- 6
- Yields:
-
1 pie
- Serves:
- 8
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1⁄2 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 egg whites
- 6 tablespoons sugar
directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small saucepan mix the cornstarch and cold water thoroughly.
- Add boiling water to cornstarch mix and heat to a boil over low-med heat. Stir constantly.
- When it thickens; take off heat and place pan in cool water to cool it down to room temperature BEFORE you add it. Let this rest while starting the next steps.
- Separate 3 egg whites (make sure not even a drop of yolk gets in bowl or it will completely ruin your meringue) and place in a mixing bowl.
- Add lemon juice or vanilla; beat until is stands in soft white peaks (it may take awhile, don't cut the beating short)
- Add sugar ONE Tbs at a time; beat the heck out of the meringue after EACH individual Tbs of sugar is added.
- Keep beating until meringue is glossy and has firm peaks (it will be really shiny and stand straight up on its own).
- Take your saucepan with the cornstarch mix (make sure it is at room temperature) and spoon in all of the mix at once to the meringue; blend well.
- Make sure your pie filling is HOT; starting around the crust add meringue in BIG spoonfuls, press firmly at first to make sure there are NO air pockets and crust is sealed ( I get down eye level with it just to be sure).
- When meringue has totally covered the pie filling, make little peaks with a spoon to fancy it up.
- Bake for about 15 minutes; the meringue will weep if undercooked so make sure it is nicely browned. Use a toothpick when you think it is done, if it comes out clean the meringue is done!
- If you have done all of these steps you should have a perfect meringue, if you use any shortcuts or slack your meringue will suffer.
Questions & Replies
-
I have been making lemon meringue pies for years and have used the cornstarch method since the 60’s. I always seal the meringue like you said but get a liquid when the first piece is cut. You say the filling should be hot, should the crust too? Also , I have never tested the meringue with a toothpick. I shall try your way and see how it comes out. Thanks!
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