How long can lemon meringue pie be stored at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 4°C and 60°C. A lemon meringue pie should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How to store lemon meringue pie? Find out in this article!
If you’re here, it’s because you want to know how to store lemon meringue pie, and we’re here to explain. A lemon meringue pie is made with a shortcrust or shortbread pastry, a delicious lemon filling and a smooth, fluffy meringue on top. It is one of the most popular desserts in the world, so much so that August 15 is known as National Lemon Meringue Pie Day.
It typically contains about 302.8 calories and is sold worldwide in bakeries and restaurants.
The History of Lemon Meringue Cake
Lemon meringue pie dates back to the Middle Ages, when a Swiss baker named Alexander Frehse became popular for his version of the pie. However, the modern version of the cake is very different from what it was back then.
A modern version of the cake was created by the Quakers in the late 1700s. It was then a renowned pastry chef, Elizabeth Coane Goodfellow of Philadelphia, who created the dish as we know it in 1806.
How to Store Lemon Meringue Pie (Short Term)
After the cake is baked, it is essential to let it cool properly. For at least an hour, you should not think about cutting the cake, otherwise it will deflate. Place it on a rack after you take it out of the oven. Make sure air can circulate properly through the pan from the top and bottom.
The eggs will start to release moisture if you touch the meringue as it cools. If you don’t have a proper rack, you can also place the cake on a heatproof potholder. This will allow your cake to cool properly, which will not be possible on a hot work surface.
After cooling the cake to room temperature, you will need to place it in the refrigerator for at least 3-6 hours. The lemon meringue pie needs to be cooled before serving, so it is important to keep it uncovered in the refrigerator.
Many people also don’t pay too much attention to where they place the cake in the refrigerator, which can lead to its ruin. It is essential to place the cake on the highest shelf of the refrigerator to prevent items from dripping or spilling onto the cake.
After the cake has cooled thoroughly, you should cut it with a wet knife so that it doesn’t stick to the meringue. In humid weather, the meringue will start to produce water after it comes out of the refrigerator. This is normal, which means you can cut and serve the cake without worrying about the extra moisture.
Be sure not to keep the cake out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. You should return the remaining pieces to the refrigerator after serving. This will prevent bacteria from growing on the cake, which is bound to happen if you leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Leaving it out can cause foodborne illness.
How to Store Lemon Meringue Pie (Long Term)
If you plan to refrigerate the cake for less than 6 hours, it’s best to avoid using plastic wrap or wrapping the cake. Often, the foil can crush the meringue. This can cause the eggs to release moisture and begin to run. This is known as “weeping”.
The tops of the meringue should be shiny, but if they become opaque, it may mean that you have overbeaten the mixture. In this case, you can stack the meringue on top of the pie so that it completely touches the edges of the crust.
While you are heating the meringue in a double boiler, you can also add a teaspoon of cornstarch. The cornstarch is very effective at absorbing moisture and preventing seepage. Also, if you store the cake in the refrigerator, the meringue will last longer.
Lemon cakes can actually be frozen for up to 3 months if you don’t add the meringue.
It is also necessary to let the meringue cool before topping the cake. If the cake and filling are not at room temperature, a small puddle of water may form in the lemon filling.
If you want to store the lemon meringue pie for a period of time, you can do so by using the
