Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

About the recipe

There’s nothing like this classic recipe for Southern lemon meringue pie. Tested and perfected by chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis, this pie is a must-add to your dessert table.

Serves: 8

Hands On Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 large eggs, separated, plus 3 large egg yolks

Juice of 6 lemons (about 1/2 cup)

Zest of 1 lemon

4 teaspoons cornstarch

1 pie shell, baked and cooled

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk 1 cup of the sugar with the egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking constantly, until thick, about 5 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Refrigerate until firm and set, at least 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until frothy. With the mixer on high speed, add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a slow, steady stream and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove the pie from the refrigerator and top with the meringue. Bake until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.