Lemon meringue pie

Traditional lemon meringue pie is a classic crowd pleaser. 

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

60 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 225g (1 1/2 cups) plain flour
• 55g (1/2 cup) almond meal
• 60g (1/3 cup) icing sugar mixture
• 125g chilled butter, chopped
• 1 egg yolk

• Lemon filling

• 5 eggs, lightly whisked
• 300ml thin cream
• 155g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
• 1 tbs finely grated lemon rind
• 125ml (1/2 cup) fresh lemon juice

• Meringue

• 3 egg whites
• 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar

 

Method

1. To make the lemon filling, whisk together the egg, cream, sugar, lemon rind and juice in a bowl until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to develop the flavours.
2. Meanwhile, place the flour, almond meal, icing sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and process until dough just starts to come together.
3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until just smooth. Shape into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
4. Preheat oven to 200°C. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm-thick disc. Line a round 5cm-deep, 18cm (base measurement) fluted tart tin, with removable base, with pastry and trim any excess. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
5. Cover the pastry base with baking paper and fill with pastry weights, rice or dried beans. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and pastry weights, rice or dried beans. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 160°C.
6. Strain the lemon mixture through a fine sieve into a jug. Pour into the pastry case. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven and set aside for 15 mins to cool. Place in fridge for 1 hour to chill. Increase oven temperature to 180°C.
7. To make the meringue, use an electric beater to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoonful at a time, whisking constantly until thick and glossy. Spoon the meringue mixture over the tart and spread to the edge of the pastry. Use the back of a spoon to lightly touch the meringue to create peaks. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool. Cut into wedges to serve.

 

Notes

Prep: 20 mins (+ 1 hour infusing, 1 hour resting, 30 mins cooling & 1 hour chilling time)

Coffee meringue kisses

With its deep, robust flavour and unmistakable aroma, coffee creates an altogether different high when it stars in decadent desserts. 

Preparation Time

20 - 50 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Makes

20 kisses

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tsp dried espresso coffee powder
• 1/2 cup (100g) caster sugar
• 2 eggwhites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 50g dark chocolate, melted
• Double cream, to serve

 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 100°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
2. Sift the coffee through a fine sieve to form a powder. Combine coffee and sugar in a bowl. Use an electric mixer to whisk the eggwhites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking well between each addition, until meringue is thick and glossy and sugar is completely dissolved. Add cream of tartar and whisk until just combined. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm-fluted nozzle. Pipe 3cm-round meringues onto the lined tray. Bake for 30 minutes or until meringues are dry to the touch. Turn off oven and leave, with door ajar, to cool completely.
3. Use a small pallet knife to spread a little of the melted chocolate onto the base of each meringue. Place on a wire rack and set aside for 30 minutes or until set.
4. Spoon a little cream on the base of a meringue. Sandwich with another meringue. Continue with remaining meringues and cream. Serve immediately.