We Tried Reese Witherspoon’s Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie
Updated: Apr. 03, 2019
In her book Whiskey in a Teacup, Reese Witherspoon shares her easy lemon meringue pie recipe. We gave it try to see if it's a cut above the rest.
From Pleasantville to Big Little Lies, Reese Witherspoon has been a fixture on our screens for over two decades. But Reese does so much more than act. This multitalented mogul has also launched her own media company Hello Sunshine, the clothing, accessories and home decor line Draper James, is an activist for global women’s rights and most recently, a best-selling author.
In September of 2018, Witherspoon released her book Whiskey in a Teacup, which is a mix of autobiography, Southern lifestyle guide, recipes and entertaining tips. Flipping through the book, I learned about Reese’s grandmother Dorothea, the magic of Southern sweet tea and was introduced to one of the most gorgeous desserts I’ve ever seen, the Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon meringue is one of my favorite desserts, and the tower of toasted meringue on this pie made me think, “Oh, I’ve got to try that.” Plus, it’s a fixture of Reese’s Easter celebration, which meant it had to be good. So, I grabbed my hand mixer, some lemons, a ton eggs and got down to work.
Lemon-Rosemary Layer Cake
Tall and impressive, this unique dessert is a treat for the senses with flecks of lemon zest and fresh rosemary. Just wait till you taste it! —Mary Fraser, Surprise, Arizona
Lemon-Ricotta Cookies
I work for a Special Education school and our students run their own catering business. Every time they make these lemon-ricotta cookies for a catering event, they get raves. They are the yummiest and chewiest cookies ever! —Renee Phillips, Owosso, Michigan
Lemon Sherbet
Lemon juice provides the snappy flavor in this wonderful lemon sherbet recipe from our Test Kitchen. The light, make-ahead treat looks splendid served in individual "boats" made from lemon halves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Bread Pudding
Sweet raisins and a smooth hot lemon sauce make this bread pudding extra special. Even today, I get requests for the recipe from people who tasted this traditional dessert years ago. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Lemon Chess Pie
This bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorite lemon desserts. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky
Lemon Tiramisu
I created this lemon tiramisu to please everyone in my family. It's a cross between cheesecake and tiramisu with a refreshing lemony flavor. Garnish with fresh berries if you have them on hand. —Monica Marolt, Willowick, Ohio
Strawberry Lemon Trifle
This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
Classic Lemon Bars
These bars are simple enough for a no-fuss dinner yet elegant enough for a special celebration. Regardless of when you serve them, they'll be a hit. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado
Lemon Lover's Pound Cake
Everyone raves about this pretty dessert—and it sure doesn't last long with my family. It also freezes beautifully, so why not make two and pop one into the freezer for another day? —Annettia Mounger, Kansas City, Missouri
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
This lemon ice cream cake is a cool treat my family loves anytime, but we find it especially refreshing on a hot summer day. The cream of coconut and lemon juice make a delicious combo, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. You can substitute any crunchy sugar, lemon or coconut cookie in place of the shortbread, as long as each cookie is about 2 inches. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
Lemon Sorbet
Whether you serve it in chilled bowls or scoop it into cut lemon halves, this creamy four-ingredient sorbet is both sweet and tart. It makes a delightfully refreshing finish to any meal. —Goldene Petersen, Brigham City, Utah
Honey Lemon Meringue Pie
My husband especially enjoys this lemon meringue pie recipe with condensed milk. His mother made a similar treat for him when he was a child, but it was rewarding for me to create a recipe of my own that he loves so much! —Portia Gorman, Los Angeles, California
Lemon Pudding Cake
My husband, Lloyd, loves this cake because it tastes like lemon meringue pie. The cake is no-fuss and makes just enough for the two of us.—Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Lemony White Chocolate Cheesecake
Although it takes some time to prepare this eye-catching cheesecake, the combination of tangy lemon and rich white chocolate is hard to beat. It's always a hit! —Marlene Schollenberger, Bloomington, Indiana
Lavender and Lemon Biscochitos
Biscochitos are the state cookie for our home state of New Mexico. They are traditionally made with anise seeds, but I substituted lavender and lemon in this biscochitos recipe. The result is intriguing and delicious! I have also made these with lemon and dried thyme and they were scrumptious. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Lemon Raspberry Buckle
I've given a fresh summery twist to the classic blueberry buckle everyone loves by swapping out the blueberries for raspberries (my favorite) and adding sweet and tart lemon curd. This berry buckle cake recipe tastes great with vanilla ice cream! —Jenna Fleming, Lowville, New York
Lemon Creme Brulee
Here’s a refreshing, tangy twist on a classic. Don’t have the kitchen torch traditionally used for creme brulee? Simply pop the ramekins under the broiler.—Sara Scheler, Helenville, Wisconsin
Fritters with Lemon Mousse and Strawberries
Deep-fried fritters are wonderful on their own, but they become over-the-top amazing with a creamy lemon mousse and sweet strawberries. Raspberries and blueberries yield equally good results. —Shannon Bell, Woodstock, Georgia
Lemon Layer Cake
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
Lemon Mango Kanafeh
Several years ago I came upon a little neighborhood restaurant making the most incredible Turkish food I'd ever seen or tasted. I was completely blown away by the dessert and had to learn how to make it. —Jodi Taffel, Altadena, California
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
These whoopie pies are soft, cakey cookies studded with tart, juicy blueberries and filled with tangy cream cheese frosting. I take them to family and school events and they are always the first thing gone! Be sure to continually scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula while making the batter and frosting. —Kathy Martino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lemon Cream Cupcakes
Instead of a layer cake, serve guests these delicate cupcakes tinged with a tangy lemon flavor. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
Lemon Ricotta Cake
This recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
Lemon Curd Cheesecake
This creamy lemon cheesecake has a lovely soft texture and cuts nicely. The curd adds a fresh, tangy flavor. —Becky West, Statesboro, Georgia
Sweet & Tart Lemon Jell-O
With its sunny lemon color, this gelatin mold brightens up any table. I usually make two molds for parties because it disappears so quickly. —Patricia Ryzow, Thousand Oaks, California
Blueberry Buckle with Lemon Sauce
This recipe is a family favorite, served warm as dessert, plain or with a scoop of ice cream. My family also likes it cold as a coffee cake. But the lemon sauce topping makes this traditional dessert a little different, enhancing the flavor of the blueberries. —Maureen Carr, Carman, Manitoba
Rosemary & Thyme Lemon Pudding Cakes
These simple little cakes are absolutely divine and are perfect with hot tea. Think English tea party! Your guests will love them. — Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this is it. Lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Cooler Cookies
Baking soda helps brown these crisp, lemony shortbread-like goodies that were created by our Test Kitchen staff.
Layered Lemon Dessert Squares
I found this recipe in an old cookbook and changed it to be extra citrusy. If you’re a fan of Key lime pie, substitute lime for the lemon flavors. —Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Strawberry Lemon Shortcake
I love a good strawberry shortcake, but this recipe is my favorite by far. The citrus zest in the dough adds a refreshing zip to the sweet dessert. —Nancy Hooper, Glen Burnie, Maryland
Glazed Lemon Cake
My mother baked this moist treat when I was a child. I loved the lemon glaze and light cake as much then as my children do now. – Missy Andrews, Rice, Washington
Lemon Ginger Icebox Cake
Everyone searches for lemon desserts that have easy ingredients and minimal effort. My lemony ginger icebox cake is the answer. It’s a holiday lifesaver. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Lemon Orange Cake
I like to bake this lovely three-layer lemon and orange cake instead of a more traditional pie for Thanksgiving. It has that tangy Florida citrus flavor and isn't any more difficult to make than a two-layer cake. —Norma Poole, Auburndale, Florida
Lemony Coconut Bars
These lemony and chewy bars make a refreshing addition to the holiday cookie tray. Try lime juice and zest for a zingy twist. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Lemony Limoncello Tiramisu
This limoncello tiramisu is a delightful citrus twist on a classic Italian dessert. It's always a favorite at holiday meals or summer gatherings! —Deena Resnick, Oregon City, Oregon
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
This luscious, lemony poppy seed cake recipe from Betty Bjarnason is one of many collected by Brenda Wood of Egbert, Ontario for a reunion cookbook. —Betty Bjarnason, Egbert, ON
Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
My granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She's a natural—they turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Lemon Rhubarb Tube Cake
For a taste of summer, try this dessert. The cake's fresh lemon flavor and tart rhubarb topping are so refreshing. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops
With just 31 calories and less than 1 tsp. sugar per serving, these lemon ice pops are one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Lemon Zucchini Drops
When we lived on the East Coast, a nearby fruit and vegetable stand had a bakery featuring these soft, cakelike cookies. We missed every bite when we moved away, so I developed this recipe. —Barbara Franklin, Tucson, Arizona
Lemon Cream Delight
Indulging in this creamy dessert is like eating cheesecake out of a bowl. Light and luscious, it's a pleasing finish to any meal. —Inge Schermerhorn, Kingston, New Hampshire
Citrus Poke Cake
Old-fashioned citrus snack cake tastes even better the day after it is made. It is perfect for picnics or gatherings because it transports easily and is so good chilled.
Lavender Lemon Bars
Hints of lavender and lemon zest in the crust make these treats a favorite. —Judith Hilinski, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Lemon Sheet Cake
Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to a convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives it sweetness. My family likes this cake cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze it before serving. —Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon
Easy Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie
Three simple ingredients mixed together and spread into a graham crust make magic while your freezer does the all the work. Prep this pie ahead and freeze it overnight or even longer. Feel free to vary the fruit if you'd like! —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Pear-Pecan Crisp with Lemon Sauce
"Pear-adise on a plate" is a great way to describe this fruity crisp. A lovely lemon custard sauce tastefully tops the tender pears and crunchy topping.
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle
After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Fluted Lemon Cake with Fresh Fruit
This citrusy, golden-brown cake looks especially beautiful baked in a fancy fluted pan. Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit. —Donna Pochoday, Morristown, New Jersey
Lemon & Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Lemon and rosemary make these luscious treats a sweet surprise for a few friends. —Malorie Harris, Wildomar, California
Lemon Berry Dump Cake
This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lemon Tea Cookies
These sandwich cookies taste rich and buttery and have a lovely lemon filling. The recipe has been in our family since the 1950s, when my mother got it from a French friend in her club. —Phyllis Dietz, Westland, Michigan
Sour Cream-Lemon Pie
I first tasted this pie at a local restaurant and hunted around until I found a similar recipe—now it's my husband's favorite. —Martha Sorensen, Fallon, Nevada
Lemon Oatmeal Sugar Cookies
This is an especially fun recipe to make with kids because they can roll the dough into balls and flatten them on the baking sheets. The lemon and oatmeal add a nice twist to traditional sugar cookies. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lemon Ricotta Fritters
These mouthwatering fritters are golden brown outside, soft and cakelike inside, and have a lovely citrusy and creamy flavor from the classic duo: lemon ricotta. Fritters are great served warm with jam or honey. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Lemon Pound Cake Muffins
I make these lemony muffins for all kinds of occasions. My family always requests them when we have a brunch. They’re so good! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Creamy Lemon Almond Pastries
I love lemon filled doughnuts when I can find them. This recipe brings the concept to a new level by placing the filling into a baked beignet and enhancing it with a bit of almond flavoring and toasted almonds. The result? Sunshine in a bite. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Lemon Butter Cookies
These tender cutout cookies have a slight lemon flavor that makes them stand out from the rest. They're very easy to roll out compared to other sugar cookies I've worked with. I know you'll enjoy them as much as we do. —Judy McCreight, Springfield, Illinois
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
This is the one and only lemon meringue pie recipe you'll ever need. The flaky and tender from-scratch crust is worth the effort. —Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri
Mom's Citrus Buttermilk Cake
Everyone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Lemony Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
These spiced-just-right whoopie pies combine two popular flavors in one fun treat. The moist cookies are rolled in sugar before baking for a bit of crunch. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Lemon Cutouts
Full of lemony flavor, these cookies are great for any time of year and always popular with family and friends.—Patricia C. Quinn, Omaha, Nebraska
World’s Best Lemon Pie
Mother's pies were always so wonderful, with tender, flaky crusts. Through the year we enjoyed berry and apple pies, but in summer the order of the day was this lemon pie recipe—so light and refreshing! —Phyllis Kirsling, Junction City, Wisconsin
Lemon Cake Mix Dessert Pizza
This springtime dessert effortlessly combines lemon and blueberries for a sweet, unique treat.
Mini Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
Dainty and light, these tartlets feature two of my favorites —lemon and cheesecake —in one yummy morsel. They look lovely topped with fresh raspberries, but sliced strawberries are just as pretty and delicious. —Gwyn Brandt, Hibbing, Minnesota
Lemon Meringue Muffins
These muffins taste like a favorite pie of mine. The meringue adds a unique flavor.—Nancy Kearney, Massillon, Ohio
Lemon Meltaways
Both the cookie and the frosting are spiked with lemon in these melt-in-your-mouth goodies. Your family won't be able to get enough of this lemon butter meltaway cookie recipe. —Mary Houchin, Lebanon, Illinois
Lemony Walnut-Raisin Galette
This flaky, buttery pastry dessert has a filling of fruit, walnuts, coconut and cinnamon. There's a lot to love! For even more appeal, dollop sweetened whipped cream on top of each serving. —Ellen Kozak, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
To make these cute tarts more quickly, add the filling to store-bought phyllo tart shells. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon
Moist Lemon Angel Cake Roll
Tart and delicious, this pretty cake roll will tickle any lemon lover's fancy. Its feathery, angel food texture enhances its guilt-free goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Shortbreads
Every year my mom and I collect cookie recipes we want to try and then get together in early December for an afternoon of baking. These no-fail lemon cookies have become an annual tradition. They're a wonderful homemade holiday gift. —Kristen Stecklein, Glendale, Wisconsin
Lemon Bark
I wasn't a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It's tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah
California Lemon Pound Cake
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Lemon Pudding Dessert
After a big meal, folks really go for this light lemon treat. The shortbread crust is the perfect base for the fluffy top layers. I've prepared this sunny dessert for church suppers for years and I always get recipe requests. —Muriel DeWitt, Maynard, Massachusetts
Lemon Coconut Bites
The tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Blueberry Lemon Trifle
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Lemon & Rosemary Butter Cookies
Cooling lemon and aromatic rosemary make these butter cookies stand out at the holidays. I use them to punch up the cookie trays for potlucks or as gifts.—Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Lemon Tart with Almond Crust
Our state produces an abundance of lemons, and everyone is always looking for new ways to use them. This beautiful tart is my delicious solution to the excess-lemon problem! —Lois Kinneberg, Phoenix, Arizona
Lemon Whirligigs with Raspberries
Golden whirligigs with a tart lemon flavor float on a ruby raspberry sauce in this delectable dessert. I love serving it to guests. My children also like it made with blackberries. —Vicki Ayres, Wappingers Falls, New York
Lovely Lemon Cheesecake
Wait for the oohs and aahs when you present this luxurious lemon cheesecake recipe. The lemon flavor gives it a bright, tangy flavor. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia
Moist Lemon Chiffon Cake
This fluffy cake is a real treat drizzled with the sweet-tart lemon glaze. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Easy Pink Lemonade Pie
I love bringing something sweet to a potluck, but I don’t like spending all day in the kitchen. Saltine crust is amazing with a no-bake, tart-sweet strawberry lemonade filling. — Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
Bake-Sale Lemon Bars
The recipe for these tangy lemon bars comes from my cousin, who is famous for cooking up farm feasts. —Mildred Keller, Rockford, Illinois
Layered Lemon Pie
This is a great ending for almost any meal that kids and adults all enjoy. The creamy lemon filling is always a hit with my husband. —Elizabeth Yoder, Belcourt, North Dakota
Lemon Angel Cake Bars
A neighbor gave me this recipe years ago and it's been in flavor rotation ever since. It can be made ahead and serves a bunch, so it's perfect for parties and potlucks. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert
This cool and creamy no-bake dessert is perfect for hot summer days. I sometimes replace raspberries for half of the blueberries to make it look more patriotic. —Jodie Cederquist, Muskegon, Michigan
Shortbread Lemon Tart
For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added grated orange zest to both the crust and filling to turn the recipe into a lemon tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemony Layer Bars
One of my favorite cakes is a white chocolate cake with coconut lemon filling, dark chocolate frosting and almonds. This version of a seven-layer bar combines all those flavors into an easy-to-eat treat. Using soda cracker crumbs makes the bars a little different. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Lemon Pistachio Wreaths
I have made these fun and festive wreaths for the past few years. Zest from the lemon and crunch from the pistachios create a hard-to-resist sweet.
Lemon Pound Cake Loaves
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Lemon Snowdrops
I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
Lemony Cream Cheese Bars
Anytime I can take a recipe that has been handed down two generations and lighten it up while keeping the delicious flavor memories intact, I’m a happy girl. —Patti Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
Italian Lemon Cookies
Christmas wouldn't be the same without my grandmother's cookies. A plate full of these light and zesty cookies is divine!—Elisabeth Miller, Broadview Heights, Ohio
Shortbread Lemon Bars
I've put together two family cookbooks over the years, and this recipe ranks among my favorites. These special lemon bars have a yummy shortbread crust and a refreshing flavor. I never hesitate to make this dessert for guests since I know it will be a hit. —Margaret Peterson, Forest City, Iowa
Lemon-Butter Spritz Cookies
This recipe makes a lot of terrific cookies! It's great for Christmas when all the kids and grandkids visit. They can help decorate the cookies-not to mention help eat them! —Paula Pelis, Rocky Point, New York
Almond-Coconut Lemon Bars
Give traditional lemon bars a tasty twist with the addition of almonds and coconut. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Lemon Pie
I’ve had this one-bowl lemon pie recipe for years. It’s my twist on chocolate French silk pie, and it's uber easy to do with refrigerated pie pastry. —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Tart & Tangy Lemon Tart
Our family adores lemon desserts. I often make this cheery tart for brunch. For extra-special events, I bake it in my heart-shaped tart pan. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, MinnesotaReese’s Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie
Ingredients:
- One 9-inch prebaked pie shell
For the filling
- 6 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest (about 4 lemons)
- 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
- 1 cup softened butter
For the meringue
- 6 large egg whites
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
Initial Thoughts
The first thing that struck me about Reese’s pie was that there was no cornstarch to be found. Without cornstarch, gelatin or another thickening agent, I wasn’t sure how the filling would get its thick, custard-like consistency that usually accompanies a lemon pie.
I was also surprised that the recipe’s method called for the pie to be cooled in a turned-off oven, rather than on a wire rack. This reminded me of meringue cookies, which get their crisp and crunchy texture from drying in a warmed oven for an hour or two. Intrigued, it was time to bake.
Getting Started
Before I could start on the filling and meringue, I had to bake and cool a pie crust. Since she’s a busy lady, Reese appreciates a good shortcut which means turning to frozen pie crust. If the thought of store-bought pie crust sends a shiver down your spine, feel free to whip up your own basic pie crust. While you’re at it, be sure to check out our best-kept secrets for homemade pie crust.
Next up was the filling. To a saucepan over medium-low heat, I dropped in the eggs, egg yolks and sugar, and started whisking. Reese says to then whisk the mixture for 7-8 minutes until it thickens into a custard and reaches 165ºF (if you don’t have a cooking thermometer, we recommend this one from Thermoworks).
Though my filling came up to temperature, it remained about the same consistency after 10 minutes of cooking. Hoping it was just a matter of time before it tightened up, I kept whisking the filling over heat for an additional 10 minutes. The filling thickened a bit more over that time, but it was still only a smoothie-like texture, so I added in about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. This tightened the filling right up, so I pulled it from the heat and stirred in the lemon zest, lemon juice and butter.
While I was a little disappointed that my filling wasn’t able to turn into a custard on its own, I was really excited about how much lemon was going into this pie. It takes a little bit of elbow grease to zest and juice 4 lemons but it is so, so worth it. The sweet lemon smell that comes from the warm filling is heavenly. Seriously, Reese should bottle that smell and sell it with her next book.
Whipping the Meringue
Setting the lemon filling aside to cool, I turned my attention to the meringue topping. Grabbing a hand-mixer, I beat the egg whites until they were light and frothy. Then, I added in the salt and cream of tartar (which acts as a stabilizer for the meringue) and continued to beat.
Once the egg whites started forming soft peaks, I sprinkled in the powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. You’ll want to make sure that the powdered sugar completely dissolves before you add in the next tablespoon or else your meringue can turn out gritty. When all of the sugar had been added, I kept beating the meringue until it was nice and shiny and stiff peaks formed. If you’re new to meringue, take a look at our Test Kitchen’s top tips for making it.
Assembling and Baking
Now that the crust, filling and meringue were ready, it was time to put them all together. After pouring the lemon filling into the pie crust, I added the meringue to the top with a spatula, making sure to spread it to the edges of the crust. This keeps the meringue from shrinking and exposing the filling while it’s in the oven.
Eager for the final product, I popped the pie into a 300ºF oven for 15 minutes. Then, Reese says to turn the oven off and let the pie rest in the cooling oven for another 45 minutes. It was really tempting to open the oven door just a crack to sneak a peek, but in the end, I’m glad I didn’t. Pulling the pie out of the oven, I saw that the meringue’s peaks were perfectly browned and hadn’t separated from the crust at all. Though it took some self-control, I kept myself from digging in right away and followed Reese’s advice to let the pie cool completely on a wire rack.
The Finished Product
With the pie cooled, it was finally time to cut myself a slice. At first bite, I knew the time and effort that went into this pie was totally worth it. The meringue reached an inch and a half above the filling, really living up to its Mile-High name. And though it didn’t completely dry out like a meringue cookie, the peaks of the topping did become slightly crispy and crunchy. This paired perfectly with the soft pillowy texture of the inside of the meringue, giving the overall effect of a toasted marshmallow.
Between the lemon juice and zest, the filling packed a major citrus punch but wasn’t overwhelming or bitter. I bet this pie would be even better if I’d made it with Meyer lemons, which are less tart than regular lemons and have a slightly floral flavor. The texture of the filling was smooth, creamy and a little thicker than custard.
Overall, Reese’s lemon meringue was well balanced and light enough to leave you wanting a second slice. Plus, it’s gorgeous toasted meringue is a show-stopper, making the pie a great option for holidays, birthdays and dinner parties. But, it’s so tasty, you definitely won’t want to wait for a special occasion to make it again!
Add some Southern to your life by picking up a copy of Reese’s Whiskey in a Teacup and try your hand at her recipes, like the comforting chicken pot pie casserole.
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