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Lemon Chiffon Pie

This pie has a lot to offer in one light and fluffy package—it’s not too tart and not too sweet, which makes it a great choice for pleasing all of your guests. It is the perfect ending to a heavy meal, when you want something to satisfy that sweet tooth, but don’t have a lot of room left for a big dessert.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes one 9-inch pie, 6 to 8 slices (level: moderate)

Ingredients

Crust

1 prebaked 9-inch Traditional Pastry Piecrust shell (page 6)

Filling

1 teaspoon water, at room temperature
1 teaspoon gelatin
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup hot water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 cup Meringue (see page 39)

Garnish

2 cups Whipped Cream (page 193)
Grated lemon zest

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To prepare the filling, in a small bowl, combine the 1 teaspoon water with the gelatin and let soften.

    Step 2

    While the gelatin is softening, in a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolks, and sugar. While whisking, add the cornstarch and salt. Mix in the lemon juice, 1 cup hot water, the butter, and lemon zest. Transfer the filling to a medium saucepan and cook it over medium heat, scraping the sides of the pan frequently to prevent any burning. Whisk continuously until the mixture becomes bubbly and thick, about 6 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the gelatin to the filling, folding it in with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are combined. Using a spatula, gently fold the meringue into the filling so that they are thoroughly combined. Pour the lemon filling into the pie shell and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

    Step 3

    When ready to serve, remove the pie from the refrigerator and evenly distribute the whipped cream across the top of the pie. If you choose, use a pastry bag to pipe the whipped cream or offset spatula to spread it to create a more finished look. Sprinkle the lemon zest on top of the whipped cream.

    Step 4

    Lemon Chiffon Pie should be served cold. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cover of the cookbook Perfect Pies by Michele Stuart, featuring a blackberry key lime pie.
From Perfect Pies: The Best Sweet and Savory Recipes From America’s Pie Baking Champion © 2011 by Michele Stuart. Reprinted with permission by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Buy the full book from Penguin Random House, Amazon, or Bookshop.
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