Warning: This Zesty Lemon Meringue Pie Is Seriously Addictive

The world’s cuisines can boast of hundreds of different dishes and desserts, but not all of them actually make it to the legend status. This can’t be said about the now iconic lemon meringue pie that has become cult classic, especially after the not less iconic TV show Desperate Housewives was released.

Even though it will take some time to prepare the pie, the result will be worth the shot, and it’s likely you’ll get used to making it every so often.

Ingredients: 250 g of flour, 120 g of butter, 2 tbsp of sugar, 1 egg, 2–3 tbsp of cold water, a pinch of salt.

For the filling: 300 ml of water, 200 g of sugar, 40 g of cornstarch, 4 egg yolks, 120 ml of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of lemon zest, 40 g of butter.

For the meringue: 4 egg whites, 150 g of sugar.

First, make the base: rub the cold butter into the flour and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs, add the egg and a little water, and quickly bring the dough together. Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. Then roll it out, place it in a pan, forming the sides, prick it with a fork, and bake at 180°C for about 15 minutes until lightly golden.

For the cream, mix the sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, pour in the water, and heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks and gently fold in the hot mixture, then return everything to the saucepan. Add lemon juice, zest, and butter, and heat until it becomes a smooth, thick cream.

Immediately pour the hot filling into the crust.

Beat the egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, then spread the meringue over the cream, spreading it to the edges. Bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the top turns golden brown.