Lois' Magic Lemon Pie: History and Origin
Magic lemon pie, popularly known as "Magic Lemon Pie" in English, is a traditional dessert that combines a crunchy base with a creamy filling and a fluffy meringue on top. Its origin dates back to American home kitchens, where family recipes are passed down from generation to generation. In Latin America, this pie is popular in different countries, although it goes by different names such as "pay de limón" in Mexico, "tarta de limón" in Argentina and Chile, or simply "pastel de limón" in various other regions.
This recipe is characterized by its freshness and balance of flavors, where the acidity of the lemon is complemented by the sweetness of the condensed milk and the lightness of the meringue. It is an ideal dessert for celebrations, evoking tradition and the affection of grandmothers who used to prepare it as an act of family love.
How to Prepare Lois' Magic Lemon Pie
Lois' Magic Lemon Pie is a delight that combines textures and flavors in every bite. To prepare it you will need basic but very special ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest and juice, egg yolks and whites, sugar, cream of tartar, a crust made with Graham cracker squares, butter, and a touch of cinnamon.
Steps to prepare the crust:
Mix the crust ingredients well and press into a nine-inch pie pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees to prepare the filling and meringue.
Preparation of the filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolks.
Stir until the mixture thickens.
Pour into the cooled crust.
Preparation of the meringue:
Add cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat until almost stiff.
Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff and glossy but not dry.
Spread lightly over the pie filling.
Final baking and cooling:
Bake at 325 degrees until the meringue is lightly browned, approximately 15 minutes.
Cool completely before serving.
Tip: try to make the thickness of the crust very uniform and not too thick to achieve a perfect balance between texture and flavor.
