Is Lemon Meringue Pie A Pie?

Is lemon meringue pie a pie? This is one question that many people have asked. Some believe it is because it is made with a pastry crust, while others believe it is not because the filling does not contain any fruit.

So is lemon meringue pie a pie? Lemon meringue pie is most certainly a pie. It is made up of a crust, usually pastry, a filling, usually lemon custard or lemon curd, and a topping, usually whipped cream or meringue.

Lemon meringue pie is a popular dessert and is often served at Thanksgiving or Christmas. It is also popular in the United Kingdom, where it is known as lemon pie.

Yes, Lemon Meringue Pie Is A Pie

Lemon meringue pie is a pie, a type of sweet custard, which features a lemon-flavored custard with meringue or whipped egg white topping.

A pie is defined as: ‘A dish of fruit, or meat and vegetables baked in a pastry-lined pan with a cover.’

Lemon meringue pie is made to include the following elements:

  1. A pastry crust (evidence that it is constituted to be a pie)
  2. A filling, which in this case is lemon custard (evidence that it is constituted to be a pie)
  3. A topping, which in this case is meringue or whipped egg white (evidence that it is constituted to be a pie)

The combination of these three elements makes it undeniably a pie. Of course, there are variations of Lemon Meringue Pie, which might have a chocolate crust, for example, but the classic recipe is indisputably a pie.

So the next time someone tells you that Lemon Meringue Pie isn’t a pie, set them straight and enjoy your delicious dessert!

Why Is It Called Lemon Meringue Pie? 

The name lemon meringue pie is thought to have come about because the first recipe for the dessert included both lemon and meringue.

Meringue is made from whipped egg whites and sugar and has a light, airy texture. It can be used as a topping or filling for pies.

Lemon curd is a custard made from lemon juice, eggs, sugar, butter, and cornstarch. It is thick and has a tart flavor.

Lemon curd is often used as a filling for Lemon Meringue Pie.

Is Lemon Meringue Pie A Custard Pie?

While lemon meringue pie does have a custard-like filling, it is not considered to be a custard pie.

Custard pies are defined as: ‘A dessert pie made from milk or cream, eggs, sugar, and flavorings such as vanilla extract, that is thickened by heating slowly over low heat and stirring constantly’…

Lemon meringue pie does not contain eggs and therefore is not a custard pie.

In addition, lemon meringue pie is typically baked in a pastry crust, while custard pies are usually baked in a pie crust made of flour, butter, and sugar.

How Do I Make A Lemon Meringue Pie?

If you would like to make a lemon meringue pie, here is a recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pastry crust (homemade or store-bought)
  • Lemon Curd (recipe follows)
  • Meringue (recipe follows)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Pour lemon curd into prepared pie crust (see TIP below).
  3. Prepare meringue or use pre-made meringue (store-bought is fine in a pinch).
  4. Place in oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until peaks of the meringue are golden brown.

Now sit back and enjoy your lemon meringue pie!

What Is The Best Pastry For Lemon Meringue Pie?

When making a lemon meringue pie, it is important to use the right pastry crust.

A typical recipe for making pie crust will give you detailed instructions on how to make the best crust.

However, in general terms, here are some pointers for you to follow:

  • Make sure your dough is not overworked and chilled before rolling it out.
  • Use good quality flour such as unbleached all-purpose flour, pastry flour, or cake flour.
  • Make sure your butter is cold and cut into small pieces before adding to the dough.
  • Don’t overmix your dough.
  • Bake your crust in a preheated oven at a high temperature.

Do You Prebake Crust For Lemon Meringue Pie?

In general, for most pies, it is a good idea to prebake the crust.

However, you do not need to prebake the crust for lemon meringue pie.

The filling will be cooked during the baking process, and the crust will be crispy and golden brown.

TIP: If you are using a homemade pie crust, be sure to prick the bottom of the crust with a fork before adding the lemon curd. This will prevent the crust from puffing up while it is baking.

Is Lemon Meringue Pie Good For You?

Lemon meringue pie is not considered to be healthy food, but it is not as bad for you as some other desserts.

It does contain sugar, butter, and eggs, so it is not the best choice if you are trying to eat healthy.

However, it is a good choice if you are looking for a dessert that is delicious and indulgent.

Enjoy!

How Many Carbs In A Slice Of Lemon Meringue Pie?

There are approximately 25 grams of carbs in a slice of a lemon meringue pie. For those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet, this may be too many carbs to consume in one sitting.

However, for those who are not following a specific diet, this number likely will not have much of an impact on their day-to-day eating habits.

Lemon meringue pie is a favorite treat for many people. It is usually not intended to be eaten in great amounts, just restricted to one serving. A slice of pie may come in around 250-300 calories, with that number consisting of 9% iron, 24% calcium, and 19% protein.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lemon meringue pie is a pie. It is made of a crust, usually shortcrust pastry, that is filled with lemon curd and then topped with meringue. While there are variations to this recipe, it is generally accepted that lemon meringue pie is, in fact, a pie.

So if you have a lemon meringue pie, congratulations! You have a pie!

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