Introducing a delightful vegan lemon meringue pie, perfect for those who crave a tangy, sweet, and creamy dessert. With its versatility in crust options, this pie can easily adapt to your preferences, featuring either a baked crust or a no-bake crust. As a bonus, this delicious treat is dairy-free, egg-free, and contains no refined sugar, making it suitable for those following a paleo or gluten-free diet.
The highlight of this vegan lemon meringue pie is its exquisite lemon curd filling, bursting with vibrant flavors that are sure to satisfy any lemon aficionado. Furthermore, the pie is topped with a unique vegan meringue made from a special secret ingredient—Aquafaba. Whether you prefer baked or no-bake crust, this scrumptious dessert is bound to become a family favorite. Enjoy and savor every bite!
A Glimpse into Aquafaba
Aquafaba refers to the viscous liquid you find in canned chickpeas or remaining after boiling these legumes. With a consistency similar to egg whites, it can be whipped along with a stabilizer to create a delightful, creamy topping that closely resembles meringue.
How to Craft a Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie
The Components
Necessary items for the pie:
Pie crust – Whether you use a premade crust or a no-bake option, ensure it is suitable for a 9-inch pie dish.
Cornstarch – This ingredient binds the lemon curd filling. You can substitute with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
Caster sugar – Also called super fine sugar, it ensures a smooth, creamy lemon filling. For a sugar-free and keto alternative, consider swerve or erythritol.
Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice is preferred for the ideal lemon flavor.
Milk of your choice – Options include coconut, almond, or soy milk.
Turmeric or yellow food coloring – This ingredient enhances the color, but you can opt to exclude it for a paler appearance.
Necessary items for the meringue topping:
Aquafaba – The water from chickpeas is a great egg white substitute. You’ll need 1/2 cup for this recipe.
Cream of tartar – This assists in whipping the aquafaba into stiff peaks.
Powdered sugar – Adds sweetness to the meringue topping.
The Steps
First, prepare your chosen pie crust and set it aside. Then, make the lemon curd filling. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a nonstick saucepan, followed by lemon juice, milk of your choice, and a small amount of turmeric or yellow food coloring. Heat the mixture on medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Afterward, increase to medium-high heat and continue stirring until it bubbles and thickens.
Once thickened, quickly remove the lemon curd from the heat and pour it into the pie crust. Spread and smooth the filling evenly. Refrigerate the pie for at least 2 hours or until set. Afterward, prepare the egg-free meringue topping. Spread the vegan meringue on top of the filling and, using a blowtorch, brown the meringue to complete your vegan lemon meringue pie.
Tips for Making a Vegan Lemon Curd
To create a delightful vegan lemon curd, begin by swapping cornflour with arrowroot powder or xanthan gum. Always add dry ingredients first to avoid clumps, followed by liquid ones like lemon juice and zest. Keep your heat on medium until sugar dissolves, then increase the heat to medium-high. Remember to continuously stir the lemon curd mixture until it bubbles, thickens, and transforms into a delightful, creamy custard.
Handy Hints for Creating Vegan Meringue
To make a delicious vegan meringue, use the liquid from a can of chickpeas rather than boiling them. This not only saves time, but you can also repurpose the chickpeas for roasted chickpeas. Make sure the chickpea liquid is clear, free from chickpea skins and remnants.
As you begin to see soft peaks and a foamy texture, introduce cream of tartar. To avoid a heavy meringue, gradually add sugar while continuously beating. With these tips, you’ll achieve perfect stiff peaks for your vegan meringue topping!
Tips for Storing and Freezing
To keep your vegan lemon meringue pie fresh, always store it in the refrigerator. Use a sealed container or cover it with plastic wrap to prevent the meringue from deflating. The pie will stay good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
If you want to freeze your lemon pie, place it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it completely. It will maintain its quality for at least 2 months in the freezer.
Choose your desired dessert from the options above.
Gather the necessary ingredients for the specific recipe.
Prepare your dessert according to the instructions provided.
Enjoy a guilt-free, delicious treat without the need for baking!
Notes
You can customize these recipes to fit your dietary preferences or restrictions.
Try using healthier alternatives for sweeteners, such as stevia or erythritol.
Boost the nutritional value of these recipes by incorporating sources of dietary fiber (like ground flaxseed) or adding apple pie spices to the Coconut Cream Pie and No Bake Cheesecake.
Nutrition
Each recipe’s nutrition values may vary based on the chosen ingredients. However, generally, these no-bake desserts are healthier choices that provide:
Lower calorie counts
Lower fat content
Higher dietary fiber content (particularly in Raw Brownies and when adjustments are made to include sources of fiber, like mentioned in the notes above)
To keep track of your nutritional intake, consult the nutrition labels of the ingredients you use and adjust accordingly. Enjoy your tasty, healthier no-bake dessert recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Avoid Soggy Consistency?
To prevent a watery texture in your lemon meringue pie, ensure that your lemon curd is properly thickened and cooled before adding it to the pie crust. Additionally, you can pre-bake your pie crust to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Which Pie Crust Is the Most Suitable?
For a delicious lemon meringue pie, you can use either a classic buttery pie crust or a graham cracker crust. Both options will provide a tasty contrast to the tangy lemon curd and fluffy meringue.
Secrets for Excellent Lemon Curd
To make foolproof lemon curd:
Use fresh lemon juice and zest.
Whisk your sugar and cornstarch together before adding other ingredients.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Make sure to strain the curd to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg.
Ideal Meringue Temperature
Before adding meringue to your pie, ensure that both the lemon curd and the pie crust are at room temperature. Adding meringue to a hot filling may cause it to weep or separate.
Whose Recipe Should I Follow: Mary Berry or Nigella Lawson?
Both Mary Berry and Nigella Lawson have delicious lemon meringue pie recipes, so choose the one that appeals to you the most. You may want to experiment with both to find your favorite.
The Ultimate Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
There are countless lemon meringue pie recipes available, so it’s hard to pinpoint a single “best” recipe. The key is to find a recipe that suits your preferences for crust, filling, and meringue, and to practice your technique to achieve the perfect pie.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
