Moms Easy Lemon Meringue Pies Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Thaw 2 pre-made 9" deep dish pie shells (or you can make your own crusts) and using a fork prick the shell all around, so the crust doesn't puff up during the baking time.
• 2. Bake the pie shells in a pre-heated 400° oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned; set aside to cool.
• 3. Divide the egg yolks and reserve the whites for the meringue, making sure there is NO egg yolk in the whites. I remove the white membrane from the reserved egg whites also. Keep the egg white at room temperature.
• 4. In a microwaveable safe glass bowl, combine the pudding mix, sugar, whipped egg yolks, 1/3 cup of lemon juice, and 2/3 cup of the water. Whisk the ingredients until all is combined.
• 5. Add the remaining 5 cups of water.
• 6. Place in the microwave on full power and cook (STIRRING EVERY 3 MINUTES) for about 16-18 minutes. Note: If you use hot water it would be less cooking time. I use cold because that's the way mom wanted it done.
• 7. The pudding will be semi-thick. The pudding will thicken more as it cools.
• 8. Fill each of the pre-baked pie crusts and set aside while you make the meringue.
• 9. In a large bowl, add the reserved egg whites and beat on high just until it starts to get foamy.
• 10. Add 1 Tbsp of the sugar at a time, beating between each addition, until all the sugar is used.
• 11. Continue to beat on high until stiff peaks form in the egg whites.
• 12. Spoon half of the firm meringue onto each pie and spread out to seal the edge of the pie.
• 13. Using your spatula or spoon, tap the top of the meringue to lift up peaks on the pie.
• 14. Bake the pie on the center oven rack for 10-12 minutes @ 350F until the meringue is a golden brown.
• 15. Note: It's best if you chill this pie before cutting into it. This meringue does weep but mom never cared because the pies never lasted that long anyway... LOL.

Steps:

• Bake the empty pie shell and remove from oven (usually bakes 7 minutes at 425 degrees).
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• LEMON FILLING:.
• Mix cornstarch, flour, 1-1/4 cups sugar and salt in large saucepan.
• Add boiling water gradually and blend thoroughly. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes at medium-high, until thick and clear.
• Beat egg yolks in small bowl.
• Add 1 Tbsp of the hot mixture to egg yolks and stir immediately and vigorously. Repeat 3 times. *This step keeps the eggs from cooking during the next step.
• Add egg yolk mixture to hot mixture in saucepan. Cook for 2 additional minutes, constantly stirring.
• Remove from heat. Slow stir in lemon juice, butter and lemon rind.
• Pour into cooled pie shell. Let cool.
• MERINGUE TOPPING:.
• Beat egg whites until stiff.
• Beat in 1/3 cup sugar, a little at a time. Continue beating until thick and smooth.
• Gently spoon onto cooled pie, pushing out to edges.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Beat sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lemon zest together in a bowl until smooth; pour into pie crust.
• Beat egg whites with an electric mixer in a glass or metal bowl until foamy. Gradually add sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites will form sharp peaks; spoon onto the pie to cover completely.
• Bake pie in preheated oven until the tips of the topping begin to brown, about 3 minutes.