Is Lemon Meringue Pie eaten hot or cold?

Lemon meringue pie is a dessert that is not affected by temperature. Since you will enjoy it regardless of the temperature, the only thing to keep in mind is the texture. So, is lemon meringue pie eaten hot or cold?

Many prefer cold lemon meringue pie to heated lemon meringue pie, however this varies on personal preference. Never eat it hot since serving the lemon meringue pie hot would not only burn your mouth but also make cutting difficult. Lemon meringue pie is delicious at both room temperature and chilled.

If you serve the pie incorrectly, whether at the incorrect temperature or with the incorrect cutting methods, the essence of the pie will be lost. In my quest to make and serve the greatest lemon meringue pie possible, I’ve learned a few things that would have saved me a lot of trouble if I’d known them sooner, and I’ll share them with you in the following paragraphs.

Is Lemon Meringue Pie Supposed to Be Served Hot, Cold, or at Room Temperature?

The simple answer is, anything you choose. But, there are a few things to consider when deciding how you want your lemon meringue pie. You must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of serving it hot, cold, or at room temperature.

To begin with, serving your lemon meringue pie hot is not an option. It will burn your tongue, but it will also damage the structure and consistency of the pie. It is critical to allow your pie to set after baking it.

If you serve your pie hot, it will be difficult to cut. The lemon custard and meringue will spill all over your knife, and the crust may split as well.

To correctly cut your pie, allow it to set and cool naturally before cutting it with a moist knife. After each cut, clean the knife with a moist cloth.

But, whether you serve your lemon meringue pie warm or cold is entirely up to you and your guests. If you want to serve it at room temperature, you’ll need to let your pie cool naturally, which will take at least an hour. Remember to cover your pie with a towel.

If you wish to serve your pie cold, it will need to be refrigerated for a few hours, perhaps 2-3 hours. It’s preferable to allow your pie cool completely before putting it in the fridge, which means you’ll serve it around 4-5 hours after you make it.

If you want to put your pie in the fridge for more than 3 hours, wrap it in aluminum foil and set it on the highest shelf.

Fundamentally, serving your lemon meringue pie at room temperature or cold will not affect its flavor or richness. When served cold, the freshness of the pie is considerably more apparent. As a result, individuals prefer cold lemon meringue pie over room temperature.

How to Cool Lemon Meringue Pie?

The most essential thing to remember while cooling your lemon meringue pie is to leave it at room temperature after you remove it from the oven. If you refrigerate your pie while it is still hot, it will become mushy, runny, and watery since it hasn’t had time to set.

Another option is to place it on the top shelf. The higher the pie, the less moisture it will absorb from the fridge. If you want to keep it in the fridge for longer than three hours, cover it with aluminum foil after three hours.

Can You Reheat Lemon Meringue Pie?

Reheating your lemon meringue pie is neither the best nor the most essential thing to do. But, you may reheat it in two situations: when cooking it and when you want it warm after it has cooled.

When you finish the pie, the lemon custard should be hot when you add the meringue. As a result, it is ideal to have the meringue ready a little before the custard, or to have them both ready at the same time. Nonetheless, reheat the pie if this isn’t feasible and your custard has cooled before topping it with the meringue.

Start reheating the pie at a low temperature and gradually raise it for 10 to 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, then 266 degrees Fahrenheit for another 5 minutes, then 302 degrees Fahrenheit for another 5 minutes.

If the pie is covered in the oven, it will get watery.

The third scenario is if your pie has already been refrigerated and you want it warm. In this scenario, remove the pie from the refrigerator and let it aside at room temperature for approximately an hour. Place it in a low-temperature oven for 10 minutes.

Before placing the pie in the oven, preheat it for 5-10 minutes. For 10 minutes, keep the temperature at 212 F. When the pie is baking, do not cover it. Nevertheless, once you pull it out, cover it with a towel. This will soften the pie crust and rehydrate it.

Are You Supposed to Refrigerate Lemon Meringue Pie? How to Store It?

While lemon meringue pie is often served cold, it is OK to refrigerate it. Your pie is safe in the fridge for approximately three days, but not more. It will be OK if you wrap it with aluminum foil and set it on the top shelf.

If you are certain that you will eat the whole pie in one day, there is no need to refrigerate it since it will not go bad at room temperature for a day.

This is a bad idea if you want to freeze your lemon meringue pie. Fruit pies with meringue do not keep well in the freezer. Nevertheless, if you freeze your pie without the meringue topping, it will keep in the freezer for three months.

How Long Does Lemon Meringue Pie Last?

Lemon meringue pie does not survive long since it includes butter and eggs. It will keep in the fridge for three days. It will keep at room temperature for one day before needing to be refrigerated.

It may be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Instead of topping it with meringue, freeze the custard-filled crust and top it with meringue once it comes out of the freezer. Put it in the oven for a few minutes and it will taste nearly as wonderful as it did fresh.