Best Mile High Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipes

PAULA DEEN'S MILE-HIGH MERINGUE RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• Separate a cold egg by transferring the yolk between the broken halves and letting the white drip into a small bowl. Transfer the white into a metal or glass mixing bowl. Separate the next egg over the small bowl as well-not over the mixing bowl. This way, if some of the yolk gets in the white, then you have lost only one egg. Let egg whites come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Beat the egg whites at the mixer's top speed until the mixture looks like sea form on a beach. Add cream of tartar to the foam to help stabilize the meringue. Keep beating egg whites at high speed until they reach soft peaks. When you lift the beaters from the beaten egg whites, the peaks will stand up straight and then fall over. Add the sugar gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, all while beating at a high speed. When you lift the beaters, the meringue pulls into pointy peaks that stay that way. At this stage, add the vanilla, and beat just long enough to mix it in. Using the back of a spoon, spread the meringue over a hot pie filling, first spreading around the rim of the pie and then filling in the center. Use the spoon to smooth the meringue. Make sure to seal the edges by spreading the meringue to the edges of the pastry. Use the back of the spoon to pull the meringue up into peaks all over the pie. Put the pie in the oven, do not let it sit. Use this basic meringue recipe for any pie. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Bake the pie with meringue topping for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let pie cool before slices and serving.

CRANBERRY MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust: Toss the cookie crumbs with the melted butter in a medium bowl until well combined. Press into a 9-inch pie plate and bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool completely before filling.
• For the filling: Put 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the top. Let stand 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the Brandied Cranberry Sauce, sugar and lime zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture and orange juice; set aside to cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.
• For the meringue topping: Once the pie is set, put the egg whites, sugar and salt in a heatproof bowl set over, not in, a saucepan of simmering water. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the egg whites are foamy and warm to the touch. Remove from the heat, and whip in a stand mixer on medium-high to stiff, glossy peaks.
• To assemble the pie: Spread the meringue over the top of the set filling. Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue all over. Slice and serve.
• Combine the cranberries, sugar and brandy in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and some of the cranberries have burst, about 20 minutes. Use right away or refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week.