Scintillating Lemon Pie: A Delightful Citrus Dessert
From the charming Elsah’s Landing restaurant in Elsah, Illinois, comes this tangy and refreshing Scintillating Lemon Pie that beautifully balances sweetness and acidity, providing a delightful dessert experience that is sure to please. This two-crust lemon pie is particularly appealing for those who, like myself, prefer to steer clear of meringue. Instead, the lemony filling shines through, enhanced by the crunchy, slightly sweet pastry crust. The secret to this luscious pie lies in slicing the lemons as thinly as possible, ensuring that they cook down perfectly to release their vibrant flavors. As an extra tip, I recommend baking the pie for an additional five minutes to ensure the filling is perfectly set and the flavors meld beautifully.
Recipe Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recipe Name | Scintillating Lemon Pie |
| Description | A very tangy and lemony two-crust pie. |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 50 minutes |
| Category | Pie |
| Servings | 8 |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 (based on 2 reviews) |
| Keywords | Dessert, Lemon, Citrus, Fruit, < 60 Mins, Oven, Inexpensive |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 2 cups |
| Nutmeg | 1½ teaspoons |
| Lemons | 3 whole |
| Butter | ⅓ cup |
| Sugar | 1½ cups |
| Flour | 1½ cups |
| Eggs | 3 whole |
| Water | ½ cup |
Nutritional Information
| Nutritional Aspect | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 504.5 |
| Total Fat | 25.2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9.4 g |
| Cholesterol | 90.1 mg |
| Sodium | 339.4 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 65.8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugars | 40.6 g |
| Protein | 5.9 g |
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is essential for achieving that perfect golden crust while ensuring the filling cooks properly.
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Prepare the Pastry: Take half of the pie dough and roll it out into a perfect 9-inch circle. Once rolled, cut the dough into six wedges and place them neatly on a cookie sheet, ensuring they have enough space to breathe and expand slightly during baking.
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Season the Pastry Wedges: In a small bowl, mix together 1½ tablespoons of sugar and the nutmeg until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pastry wedges to enhance their flavor profile, adding a subtle warmth to the pie. Bake these wedges in your preheated oven for no longer than 5 minutes, or until they are just set. Once done, remove them from the cookie sheet and set them aside to cool.
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Prepare the Lemons: Grate the yellow zest from the lemons to capture their fragrant oils, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith beneath. Next, peel the lemons and slice them as thinly as possible, maximizing their surface area to enhance the flavor infusion during baking. Set the sliced lemons aside.
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Create the Lemon Filling: In a mixer bowl, cream together the butter and 1½ cups of sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate the flour, ensuring everything is well combined. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Slowly add in the water, ensuring a smooth consistency, and finally stir in the reserved lemon slices along with the grated lemon zest, allowing the vibrant flavors to meld beautifully.
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Assemble the Pie: Roll out the remaining pastry dough to form a second 9-inch pie shell. Place the rolled dough into a pie dish, ensuring it fits snugly against the edges. Pour the luscious lemon filling into the prepared pie shell, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a uniform surface.
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Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 to 30 minutes. You are looking for a filling that is firm yet slightly jiggly in the center, indicating that it is set but will still be soft and creamy once cooled.
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Finish with Pastry Wedges: After the initial baking time, take the pie out of the oven and carefully arrange the previously baked pastry wedges on top of the filling. This step not only adds an attractive visual element but also creates a delightful contrast in textures. Return the pie to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to allow the topping to set and the flavors to meld.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. This cooling process is crucial as it lets the filling firm up even further, making for cleaner slices when served. Once cooled, cut the pie into generous slices, serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired, and enjoy the scintillating burst of citrusy goodness!
This delightful Scintillating Lemon Pie promises to be a hit at any gathering or as a refreshing end to a meal, capturing the essence of summer in each tangy, sweet bite. Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner or bringing it to a potluck, its vibrant flavors and elegant presentation will surely impress your guests and leave them asking for seconds.
Indulge in this extraordinary dessert, where every slice reveals a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, making it a memorable addition to your dessert repertoire. Enjoy making this Scintillating Lemon Pie and share the love with your family and friends!
Note: This recipe embodies the essence of a timeless dessert that resonates with the heart and soul of classic American cuisine. Perfect for any occasion, it encapsulates both nostalgia and flavor, inviting everyone to gather around the table and indulge in its refreshing taste.
