A dish of lemon meringue pie is one of the tastiest meal finales. A big slice of lemon meringue pie is the perfect sweet ending to a delicious dinner!
What does it matter if you have leftovers? Can you freeze lemon meringue pie?
Certainly, you may freeze lemon meringue pie for up to three months—whether it’s homemade, store-bought, or sold by the slice. Please note that there may be some texture changes in the meringue topping when it defrosts.
It has just the proper amount of sweetness and crust. Additionally, it has a refreshing citrus zing to make you feel energized after a large dinner when you would otherwise feel a little lethargic.
You can also freeze lemon meringue pie, but if something goes wrong, it can result in tears. The pie ends up in the trash because the meringue can get rubbery or even overly soggy.
Pie made with meringue should be consumed within a month to preserve its flavor, but it will keep in the freezer for about three months overall.
Let’s discuss it in detail.
Contents
How to Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie
The ideal fusion of sweet, fluffy whipped meringue and tart lemon filling is found in lemon meringue pie. I am going to describe its freezing methods.
Homemade or Store bought Freezing
With one exception, freezing an entire meringue pie from scratch or from the supermarket will work the same. When preparing a homemade meringue pie, allow the lemon custard filling to cool fully before freezing.
Apply the meringue topping last, right before serving. Don’t do it earlier. The pie may become soggy if you don’t give it enough time to cool.
After the pie cools fully, transfer it to a baking dish and freeze. Pie should freeze for at least two hours without a cover. Once the pie reaches a solid frozen state, remove it from the freezer and cover it with multiple layers of clingfilm.
To avoid freezer burns, never leave any area unattended. Pie should be wrapped in cling film and then put in a freezer bag that is sturdy. Put a label on it, seal it, and place it in the freezer.
Freezing by the Slice
It is advisable to freeze your pie by the slice if you won’t be eating it all at once. In this manner, you may just take off a single slice every time you feel like having pie.
Make sure your homemade pie is completely cold before slicing it into pieces so that it can be stored correctly. Arrange the slices on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then quickly freeze them in the freezer. Once the slices are frozen, which should happen in a few hours, remove them from the freezer and carefully wrap each one in plastic wrap, making sure it’s tightly sealed.
After wrapping each slice, gently transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Squeeze out any extra air from a freezer bag before closing it. Put the container or bag back in the freezer after writing the date on it.
Extra Tips to Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie for the First Time
- Proper Baking: Make sure nothing has gone wrong during the baking process to make sure the pie freezes properly.
- Avoid Meringue Weeping:
- Don’t leave the meringue in a hot room to prevent weeping.
- Pre-cook the meringue before adding it to the pie.
- Cover the filling completely to prevent meringue shrinking.
- Avoid putting the pie in the fridge immediately after baking to prevent drastic temperature changes.
- Serve the pie immediately or let it stand in a stable room temperature environment.
- If waiting to serve, either refrigerate or prepare for freezing.
- Heat the sugar syrup to 120°C (248°F) before adding it to stiffly beaten egg whites.
- Keep Lemon Filling Hot: Do not let the lemon filling cool before or while spreading the meringue over it to avoid melting and sweating.
- Add Lemon Juice During Cooking: Add the lemon juice only when the curd filling is cooking to enhance the citrus flavor and maintain acidity.
How to Thaw Lemon Meringue Pie?
It’s best to let a frozen lemon meringue pie thaw completely in the fridge for a few hours or overnight before using it. Just move the box from the freezer to the refrigerator without taking it out of the box. Cut the pie and enjoy once it has thawed! For up to three days, leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator. Lemon meringue pie that has been frozen should not be refrozen.
You can also read this guide: Can You Freeze Custard?
FAQs
How long can you freeze lemon meringue pie?
You can freeze lemon meringue pie for up to three months. For best quality, consume it within this time frame to avoid freezer burn and preserve flavor.
Can you freeze leftover lemon meringue pie?
Yes, you can freeze leftover lemon meringue pie. Ensure it is completely cool, cut it into portion-sized slices, and freeze the slices on a plate for about 2 hours until solid. Then transfer the frozen slices into a freezer bag, label, seal, and return them to the freezer.
Will freezing affect the texture of lemon meringue pie?
Freezing may slightly affect the texture of the meringue, making it softer and less airy. For best results, add the meringue fresh after thawing the pie.
How do you thaw frozen lemon meringue pie?
Thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight. If the pie was frozen without meringue, add fresh meringue before serving. If it was frozen with meringue, let it come to room temperature before serving to avoid any drastic temperature changes that might cause the meringue to weep.
Can you refreeze lemon meringue pie after it has been thawed?
It’s not recommended to refreeze lemon meringue pie once it has been thawed, as this can affect the texture and quality of the pie.
Summary
Freeze it as soon as possible to preserve the finest taste and quality. Make sure the pie is completely cold before beginning if you’re making it at home to prevent condensation. Simply follow all of the advice I provided above to increase lemon meringue pie’s shelf life!