easy desserts & recipes: lemon meringue pie (tart) with pâte brisée base

easy desserts & recipes: lemon meringue pie (tart) with pâte brisée What happens when you receive a package from your dear friend who resides in Tokyo? In my home the entire family gathers to see what has been sent. Marie sends me many fun packages. My husband and boys enjoy the chocolates and candy. And, I receive many wonderful girly things like lip balm, hand gel, soaps, etc. I feel like a kid at Christmas for all the packaging is brightly colored and brilliantly decorated. None of the labeling is in English. All the print is Japanese. Sometimes I have no clue what is in the packaging until I open it to peek at the contents. On one occasion I had left the contents of one of Marie’s care packages on my kitchen table. I was at work one day and my husband called me at work and this is the conversation we had: My Hubby: “Babe, I think some of the candy Marie sent is bad.” Me: “Huh? I just ate some last night. Everything seemed fine.” My Hubby: “The lemon candy tastes like it went bad.” Me: “What lemon candy?” My Hubby: “The lemon candy that looks like a giant Sweettart.” Me: “Hmmm.. I don’t think she sent…oh my god!” My Hubby: “What?” Me: “You just ate a bath fizzy.” My son and my husband had mistaken a bath fizzy for an oversized Sweettart. I have to admit, the bath fizzy did look like a large Sweettart candy, however it did not smell like one. It was a mistake I don’t think either will forget. When asked if they spit it out, they both said, “No.” It tasted bad, but not bad enough to spit out. A little extra fizzy in the belly isn’t a bad thing, I guess! Here is a much more enjoyable lemon treat if you are as much a fan of lemon flavored treats as my family.
Lemon Meringue Pie (or Tarts) Pâte Brisée (Martha Stewart) 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water 1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour and salt; pulse to combine. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining, about 10 seconds. 2. With machine running, add ice water through feed tube in a slow, steady stream, just until dough holds together without being wet or sticky. Do not process more than 30 seconds. Test by squeezing a small amount of dough together; if it is still too crumbly; add a bit more water, 1 tablespoon at a time. 3. Turn out dough onto a clean work surface. Divide in half, and place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into flattened disks. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. 4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll to fit size of baking tin(s). 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 6. Place the dough into the pie or tart shell. Using a fork liberally poke holes into the base. (This releases the hot air during baking and prevents bubbles. If you need to do it mid baking cycle very carefully take a fork and poke holes in any raised areas. Be careful not to burn yourself from the steam.) 7. Prebake the pie or tart shell until golden brown; cool completely. Lemon Filling 4 egg yolks (reserve whites for meringue) 1/3 cup corn starch (plus two tablespoons) 1 1/2 cup water 1 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup lemon juice (Meyer lemons) 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest Meringue 4 egg whites 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 2 tablespoons sugar Place egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form and then gradually add sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Directions 1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 2. Whisk the egg yolks in medium size mixing bowl. Set aside. 3. In a medium saucepan, combine cornstarch, water, sugar and salt. Whisk until combined without lumps. Turn heat on medium and stirring frequently bring mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute more. (I left on the heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture almost looked like a gelatin) 4. Remove from heat and add one whiskful at a time, beating constantly, the hot mixture to the egg yolks. 5. When completely blended, return mixture to the stove, cook on low, stirring constantly. After about 2 minutes gently stir in the lemon juice and butter until well combined. Keep on heat, stirring continuously, until thick. 6. Pour mixture into pie shell and top with meringue while the filling is hot. Make sure meringue covers filling and that it goes to the edge of the crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until meringue is golden. Remove from oven and cool. Chill for at least an hour before serving.
  • rss
  • flickr
  • twitter
  • facebook

120 comments

  • May 5, 2012 at 6:36 pm //

    Wow,,,the pie looks stunning,beautiful,i’m sure taste yummy as it looks !!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:17 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Ridwan.

  • May 5, 2012 at 6:36 pm //

    Wow,,,the pie looks stunning,beautiful,i’m sure taste yummy as it looks !!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:17 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Ridwan.

  • May 5, 2012 at 6:48 pm //

    I not only burst into laughter but read your story aloud to my husband – I can completely see it happening in our house! The meringue on your pie looks incredible, great pic!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:18 pm //

      I think this story will be told time and time again, we all still get such a hoot out of it. I don’t think the boys will go diving into an unmarked package anytime soon though.

  • May 5, 2012 at 6:48 pm //

    I not only burst into laughter but read your story aloud to my husband – I can completely see it happening in our house! The meringue on your pie looks incredible, great pic!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:18 pm //

      I think this story will be told time and time again, we all still get such a hoot out of it. I don’t think the boys will go diving into an unmarked package anytime soon though.

  • May 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm //

    That is too funny! I guess the boys don’t have such discerning taste?? :P

    THIS PIE IS AMAZING.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:33 pm //

      “Giggles” They sure don’t!

  • May 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm //

    That is too funny! I guess the boys don’t have such discerning taste?? :P

    THIS PIE IS AMAZING.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:33 pm //

      “Giggles” They sure don’t!

  • May 6, 2012 at 1:48 am //

    Yours looks splendid!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Thanks so much for commenting = )

  • May 6, 2012 at 1:48 am //

    Yours looks splendid!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Thanks so much for commenting = )

  • May 6, 2012 at 5:45 am //

    I just love the way the meringue peaks up and away from the crust in your photo. It makes my mouth water!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Gerlinde = )

  • May 6, 2012 at 5:45 am //

    I just love the way the meringue peaks up and away from the crust in your photo. It makes my mouth water!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Gerlinde = )

  • May 6, 2012 at 5:52 am //

    Gorgeous–and I’m sure way more delicious that a bath fizzy! What a funny story!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy?

  • May 6, 2012 at 5:52 am //

    Gorgeous–and I’m sure way more delicious that a bath fizzy! What a funny story!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:34 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy?

  • May 6, 2012 at 9:10 am //

    Ha ha ha!!! That’s hilarious! I can’t believe they ate a bath fizzy :) I’m sure they’ll enjoy this lemon meringue tart a lot better! I know I would scarf it down. The huge peaks make it look awesome! I love this post, ha ha…it’s hilarious :)

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:35 pm //

      “giggles” I think we’ll tell this story twice over!!!! Thank you so much for commenting Amalia.

  • May 6, 2012 at 9:10 am //

    Ha ha ha!!! That’s hilarious! I can’t believe they ate a bath fizzy :) I’m sure they’ll enjoy this lemon meringue tart a lot better! I know I would scarf it down. The huge peaks make it look awesome! I love this post, ha ha…it’s hilarious :)

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:35 pm //

      “giggles” I think we’ll tell this story twice over!!!! Thank you so much for commenting Amalia.

  • May 6, 2012 at 1:27 pm //

    That is HILARIOUS that they ate a bath fizzy and didn’t spit it out lol! Sounds like something my son would do. The tart looks really cool I like the meringue!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm //

      I think boys in general GO for the food first before reading anything, if it smells good, it must taste good! RLMAO

  • May 6, 2012 at 1:27 pm //

    That is HILARIOUS that they ate a bath fizzy and didn’t spit it out lol! Sounds like something my son would do. The tart looks really cool I like the meringue!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm //

      I think boys in general GO for the food first before reading anything, if it smells good, it must taste good! RLMAO

  • May 6, 2012 at 10:18 pm //

    HAHAHAHA! Awesome :)

    And your tart is so spiky spectacular!

    BUZZED

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm //

      Thank you for the buzz = ) Whoop Whoop!

  • May 6, 2012 at 10:18 pm //

    HAHAHAHA! Awesome :)

    And your tart is so spiky spectacular!

    BUZZED

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm //

      Thank you for the buzz = ) Whoop Whoop!

  • May 6, 2012 at 11:10 pm //

    What a funny story! I can see my hubby doing the same thing :)

    Your lemon meringue pie tart is absolutely stunning! And I know it tastes as wonderful as it looks! Pinning this~

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm //

      “giggles” I think boys (or men) in general have that mentality, if it smells good, it must taste good (okay.. that didn’t come out right) you know what I mean!

  • May 6, 2012 at 11:10 pm //

    What a funny story! I can see my hubby doing the same thing :)

    Your lemon meringue pie tart is absolutely stunning! And I know it tastes as wonderful as it looks! Pinning this~

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm //

      “giggles” I think boys (or men) in general have that mentality, if it smells good, it must taste good (okay.. that didn’t come out right) you know what I mean!

  • May 6, 2012 at 11:35 pm //

    That is so funny! When my boss comes back from Japan he always brings terrible stuff like dried shrimp candies and fish skin chips!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm //

      Hey Vicki… Marie will tell you Fish Skin tastes delicious!!! And Natto!

  • May 6, 2012 at 11:35 pm //

    That is so funny! When my boss comes back from Japan he always brings terrible stuff like dried shrimp candies and fish skin chips!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm //

      Hey Vicki… Marie will tell you Fish Skin tastes delicious!!! And Natto!

  • May 7, 2012 at 12:32 am //

    What a luscious lemon story! Brown sugar meringue is a splendid idea. I will try this soon, just irresistible.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:38 pm //

      Can you believe the boys ate a bath fizzy? This story will be told twice over!!! And over… over a lot of wine.

  • May 7, 2012 at 12:32 am //

    What a luscious lemon story! Brown sugar meringue is a splendid idea. I will try this soon, just irresistible.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:38 pm //

      Can you believe the boys ate a bath fizzy? This story will be told twice over!!! And over… over a lot of wine.

  • May 7, 2012 at 1:15 am //

    I needed a laugh this morning…thanks…This is a lovely pie…one of my favorites….

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:38 pm //

      We are happy to oblige you!!! Thank you so much for commenting.

  • May 7, 2012 at 1:15 am //

    I needed a laugh this morning…thanks…This is a lovely pie…one of my favorites….

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:38 pm //

      We are happy to oblige you!!! Thank you so much for commenting.

  • May 7, 2012 at 4:54 am //

    1) You made me burst out with laughter!
    2) I love lemon and I love your creation!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Gah.. Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy?

  • May 7, 2012 at 4:54 am //

    1) You made me burst out with laughter!
    2) I love lemon and I love your creation!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Gah.. Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy?

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:08 am //

    I *need* to make lemon meringue tart – not only that it tastes amazing, but looks stunning as well :) Yours look beautiful.
    P.s.: LOL on the bath fizzy

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy…

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:08 am //

    I *need* to make lemon meringue tart – not only that it tastes amazing, but looks stunning as well :) Yours look beautiful.
    P.s.: LOL on the bath fizzy

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy…

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Honey.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Honey.

  • May 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm //

    What?? They didn’t spit it out am just laughing out here… Anyways lovely pic looks awesomely delicious..

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:40 pm //

      haha Nope, they even said it tasted good…GULP!

  • May 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm //

    What?? They didn’t spit it out am just laughing out here… Anyways lovely pic looks awesomely delicious..

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:40 pm //

      haha Nope, they even said it tasted good…GULP!

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:32 pm //

    Delicious looking dessert, the meringue spikes are the best part looks so yummy!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:40 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Raks.

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:32 pm //

    Delicious looking dessert, the meringue spikes are the best part looks so yummy!

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:40 pm //

      Thank you so much for commenting Raks.

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:36 pm //

    Okay, knowing they are okay – I can say, that is the funniest story! I love your lemon dessert and Im sure your family loved it better than the the bath fizzy. :)

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm //

      “giggles” I still can’t believe they ate a bath fizzy!!!

  • May 7, 2012 at 10:36 pm //

    Okay, knowing they are okay – I can say, that is the funniest story! I love your lemon dessert and Im sure your family loved it better than the the bath fizzy. :)

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm //

      “giggles” I still can’t believe they ate a bath fizzy!!!

  • May 7, 2012 at 11:03 pm //

    What a stunning meringue! This pie sounds delicious. I would happily eat it for breakfast, if only it were here in my house! Have a blessed day!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm //

      Thank you Mary = )

  • May 7, 2012 at 11:03 pm //

    What a stunning meringue! This pie sounds delicious. I would happily eat it for breakfast, if only it were here in my house! Have a blessed day!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm //

      Thank you Mary = )

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:07 am //

    Hahah!! This post made me laugh so hard! This reminds me of the time when I was very young and my dad gave me what I thought was a glass of Coke. What it was was his really dark beer. When he saw my face and me coughing up a storm, he was laughing so hard. So I’ve got to say, my first taste of beer wasn’t a very fun one. To this day, I can’t stand the taste of beer.
    This looks SO good! It’s like the topping is reaching out to me. EAT ME!! I want to!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm //

      “giggles” Can you believe that? I bet they won’t dive in too quickly next time = ) I guess you don’t like dark lager, huh? “wink” = )

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:07 am //

    Hahah!! This post made me laugh so hard! This reminds me of the time when I was very young and my dad gave me what I thought was a glass of Coke. What it was was his really dark beer. When he saw my face and me coughing up a storm, he was laughing so hard. So I’ve got to say, my first taste of beer wasn’t a very fun one. To this day, I can’t stand the taste of beer.
    This looks SO good! It’s like the topping is reaching out to me. EAT ME!! I want to!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm //

      “giggles” Can you believe that? I bet they won’t dive in too quickly next time = ) I guess you don’t like dark lager, huh? “wink” = )

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:47 am //

    Love the picture. And the “sweet tart” story is classic. And I can’t resist Lemon Meringue Anything, much less pie. So I love this recipe. Good stuff – thanks.

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:54 am //

      I’m sure the boys will never forget this story or anything that tastes or resembles lemon.

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:47 am //

    Love the picture. And the “sweet tart” story is classic. And I can’t resist Lemon Meringue Anything, much less pie. So I love this recipe. Good stuff – thanks.

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:54 am //

      I’m sure the boys will never forget this story or anything that tastes or resembles lemon.

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:54 am //

    Oh wow… I pinned this beauty. GREG

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:53 am //

      Thank you for pinning GREG!

  • May 8, 2012 at 12:54 am //

    Oh wow… I pinned this beauty. GREG

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:53 am //

      Thank you for pinning GREG!

  • May 8, 2012 at 1:23 am //

    I was ROFL when I read your piece about the bath fizzy. Excellent Food Story:-)

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:52 am //

      Thank you CJ! This story will be told over and over again while sipping wine over good eats.

  • May 8, 2012 at 1:23 am //

    I was ROFL when I read your piece about the bath fizzy. Excellent Food Story:-)

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:52 am //

      Thank you CJ! This story will be told over and over again while sipping wine over good eats.

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:52 am //

      Thanks Jenn!

    • May 8, 2012 at 7:52 am //

      Thanks Jenn!

    • May 8, 2012 at 10:26 am //

      Thank you = )

    • May 8, 2012 at 10:26 am //

      Thank you = )

  • May 8, 2012 at 11:21 am //

    LOL LOL a bath fizzy! I would have probably made the same mistake any way :D
    btw Love love LOVE the photo .. such dramatic!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm //

      I don’t think they’ll dive in again without asking “giggles” Thank you so much for commenting Kankana.

  • May 8, 2012 at 11:21 am //

    LOL LOL a bath fizzy! I would have probably made the same mistake any way :D
    btw Love love LOVE the photo .. such dramatic!

    • May 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm //

      I don’t think they’ll dive in again without asking “giggles” Thank you so much for commenting Kankana.

  • May 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm //

    This looks great! A very lovely dessert.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:27 pm //

      Thank you.

  • May 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm //

    This looks great! A very lovely dessert.

    • May 9, 2012 at 4:27 pm //

      Thank you.

  • May 9, 2012 at 10:14 pm //

    Recipe looks great, but I so love your stories! Hilarious about your menfolk eating the bath fizzy. But I really loved your description of the excitement when an exotic package from Japan arrives. Brought back childhood memories of getting Christmas gifts from Okinawa, sent by my aunt and uncle, an Army officer. Exotic gifts, but even the newspaper packing was magical. I still have a graceful 18 inch geisha doll, only slightly faded after 40 plus years. Thanks for sharing!

    • May 10, 2012 at 2:34 pm //

      That is a wonderful story about your Geisha doll, and the newspaper packaging, my grandfather would wrap all our gifts from the “Funnies” = )

  • May 9, 2012 at 10:14 pm //

    Recipe looks great, but I so love your stories! Hilarious about your menfolk eating the bath fizzy. But I really loved your description of the excitement when an exotic package from Japan arrives. Brought back childhood memories of getting Christmas gifts from Okinawa, sent by my aunt and uncle, an Army officer. Exotic gifts, but even the newspaper packing was magical. I still have a graceful 18 inch geisha doll, only slightly faded after 40 plus years. Thanks for sharing!

    • May 10, 2012 at 2:34 pm //

      That is a wonderful story about your Geisha doll, and the newspaper packaging, my grandfather would wrap all our gifts from the “Funnies” = )

  • May 11, 2012 at 11:10 am //

    That’s too funny – I’m glad it didn’t have any ill effects! I have yet to try my hand at making lemon meringue anything, but I love eating it! Yours looks amazing, and such a stunning photo!

    • May 11, 2012 at 6:28 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy? What…Gah!!!

  • May 11, 2012 at 11:10 am //

    That’s too funny – I’m glad it didn’t have any ill effects! I have yet to try my hand at making lemon meringue anything, but I love eating it! Yours looks amazing, and such a stunning photo!

    • May 11, 2012 at 6:28 pm //

      Can you believe they ate a bath fizzy? What…Gah!!!