Can You Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie? Here Are The Rules You Need to Follow
Updated on March 2, 2023
We all have our favorite dishes and desserts and we should be unapologetic about this. So, who loves lemon meringue pies, put your hand up!
When we find a recipe that is absolutely delicious, you may find that you want to have it available for a long time, so can you freeze lemon meringue pies? Well, let’s find out.
Can You Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie?
While we love when we find a good recipe and want to keep making it, time is always a problem, especially with how busy our lives are. So, if you have someone dear to you that can make them and freeze them so you can enjoy them for a long time, that’s going to be absolutely awesome. That’s exactly the situation our reader is in, who absolutely loves the lemon meringue pies their mother-in-law makes. Here’s a message we received:
Q. My mother-in-law makes the best lemon meringue pie I have ever tasted. The trouble is, she lives out of town and only comes to visit a few times a year. Whenever she’s here, I always ask her to make me a pie. Then I spent months dreaming about how good it was until the next time I see her! I would love if she could make me a few pies the next time she visits so that I could freeze them and hold me over until the next visit. I’m not sure if freezing will make the crust go mushy or affect the meringue. Can you freeze lemon meringue pies?
It’s great to hear such a nice story about mothers-in-law. This lady sounds wonderful! To answer the question, yes, you can freeze lemon meringue pies! Many companies sell pre-frozen pies (although I’m sure none of them taste as good as the ones this mother-in-law makes!). Pies freeze quite well, and neither the crust nor the meringue should be negatively impacted by the freezing process.
However, some people feel that the consistency of the meringue changes after thawing, and don’t like it. If you feel the same way, you can always freeze the pie without the meringue, and then whip some up yourself later.
How to Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie?
To freeze lemon meringue pie, start with a fresh pie. Allow the pie to cool completely before freezing it. Failure to allow it to cool will result in a soggy crust due to the condensation that will occur as it cools. I suggest baking the pie in a foil pie plate or another oven-to-freezer dish, rather than trying to remove the pie for freezing. The best way to freeze the pie without disturbing the meringue is to place it in a special pie box that seals completely. Then, place it carefully in the freezer, being sure not to tip it sideways or to place anything on top of it.
It will last up to three months before beginning to lose some of its flavors.
How to Thaw Lemon Meringue Pie?
To use a frozen lemon meringue pie, it’s best to allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Do not remove it from the box; simply transfer the box from the freezer to the fridge. When the pie is thawed, slice and enjoy! Keep unused portions in the fridge for up to three days. Do not refreeze previously frozen lemon meringue pie.
Lemon Cream: How to Make It Successful?
A lemon meringue pie would be nothing without a successful lemon cream. Creamy but not too much, firm but not too much, tart but not too much … It is important to ensure its preparation for optimal tasting. To succeed for sure, several techniques exist.
If you cook your cream before pouring it into the pie, remember to constantly stir the device over medium heat, especially while adding the eggs.
It is also possible to prepare a lemon cream that will bake in the oven. For this, mix eggs, cream, sugar, and lemon juice then pour the whole into the dough and place it in the oven. This will allow it to obtain the desired texture.