To celebrate today’s candle from our Advent calendar, Meringue + Lemon Zest, we couldn’t resist sharing a recipe inspired by this irresistible scent. Around here, lemon meringue pie is a crowd favorite (and vanishes far too quickly from our plates!). So, we decided it’s only fair to share this secret recipe with you, but with a little holiday twist. Because let’s be honest, once you light your candle, you might just find yourself craving a little something sweet...
The Recipe – Festive Lemon Meringue Pie
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 9-inch (23 cm) pre-baked pie crust
For the lemon filling:
- 1 ¼ cups (310 ml) sugar
- ½ cup (125 ml) cornstarch
- A pinch of salt
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 ¾ cups (430 ml) cold water
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (125 ml) lemon juice
For the meringue:
- 4 egg whites, room temperature
- ¼ tsp (1 ml) cream of tartar
- ½ cup (125 ml) sugar
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional, but wonderfully festive!)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Prepare the lemon filling: In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, salt, lemon zest, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and set aside 1/3 cup (75 ml) of the mixture for the meringue.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice. Gradually add a ladle of the warm mixture to temper the eggs, then pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat for another minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the meringue: Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in the reserved 1/3 cup (75 ml) mixture for a perfectly glossy meringue.
- Slightly reheat the lemon filling, then pour it into the pre-baked crust. Spoon the meringue over the filling, forming peaks with the back of a spoon for a lovely finish.
- Lightly dust the meringue with cinnamon for a festive touch before baking. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the meringue is golden.
A Festive Touch
For the holiday season, why not sprinkle a hint of cinnamon on the meringue just before baking? It’ll fill your kitchen with the comforting, cozy scent we all adore in December! To make it even more magical, add a few candied lemon zest strips or a touch of grated white chocolate once it cools. This little twist will bring smiles to everyone at the table and give your dessert an extra special holiday charm.
And there you have it—a dessert as bright and cheerful as your Meringue + Lemon Zest candle! If you give this recipe a try, snap a photo and tag us on Instagram—we love seeing your creations!
With love,
The SOJA&CO. Team
