How to Make a Meringue Pie Topping

Here is how to make a meringue pie topping that doesn’t fall or bead for your next pie.

I have read about many different ways to make meringue toppings for pies. and I have tried several different ways to make meringue toppings, with mixed results.  I wanted to share the easiest way I have found to make a meringue pie topping that doesn’t deflate or bead.

How to Make a Meringue Pie Topping

You will find the recipe below, but I wanted to share a few tips on how to make a meringue for pie so it turns out perfectly.

Before you start your meringue, bring the egg whites to room temperature. Cold egg whites beat up more slowly and have less volume than room temperature egg whites.

You will add vanilla and cream of tartar to the egg whites before beating. Then you beat the eggs until soft peaks easily form when you lift the blender. Many great cooks will tell you that you do not need cream of tartar for stability, that the sugar is enough, but that has not been my experience. When I leave the cream of tartar out, my meringues collapse. If you aren’t having important guests over, go ahead an experiment because a collapsed meringue still tastes good – it just isn’t very pretty.

Slowly add superfine sugar while beating and continue to beat until firm peaks form. If you don’t have superfine sugar, you can make superfine sugar or substitute powdered sugar. You don’t want to use regular sugar because it is harder to dissolve and undissolved sugar causes beading on the surface of the meringue.

Spread the meringue on top of the still warm pie. Make sure the topping reaches from edge to edge of the crust. Meringues want to shrink and spreading it to the crust helps anchor the meringue topping to the top of your pie.

Meringue Pie Topping Recipe

This meringue recipe makes enough to top one pie.

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ cup superfine (How to make Superfine Sugar)

1. Place the egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla in a glass or metal bowl. Beat on high until soft peaks form.
2. Slowly add sugar while beating. Continue to beat until the sugar is completely dissolved and firm peaks form.
3. Spoon the meringue onto the still-warm pie making sure it comes in contact with the crust.
4. Make swirls in the topping.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 – 12 minutes until the top is a golden brown.
6. Cool on a cooling rack until it reaches room temperature. Then place in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.

Printable Recipe for Meringue Pie Topping

Print

5 from 6 votes

How to Make a Meringue Pie Topping

Course Dessert

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Alea

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 egg whites room temperature
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 1/4 cup superfine How to make Superfine Sugar

Instructions

• Place the egg whites, cream of tartar,and vanilla in a glass or metal bowl. Beat on high until soft peaks form.
• Slowly add sugar while beating. Continue to beat until the sugar is completely dissolved and firm peaks form.
• Spoon the meringue onto the still-warm pie making sure it comes in contact with the crust.
• Make swirls in the topping.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 7 - 12 minutes until the top is a golden brown.
• Cool on a cooling rack until it reaches room temperature. Then place in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.

If you use this recipe on how to make meringue for pie, I would love to see a picture of your pie! Share it on my Facebook Page or email me at [email protected].

More Baking Tips:

How to Make Powdered Sugar

How to Make Simple syrup

Corn Syrup Substitutes