Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (2024)

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Diana Rattray

Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (1)

Diana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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Updated on 09/6/22

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Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 18 mins

Total: 28 mins

Servings: 8 servings

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A meringue topping makes any pie special, and when made with brown sugar, even more so. This easy meringue is made with the typical egg whites and vanilla, but instead of white sugar, brown sugar is used, making the perfect topping for butterscotch, caramel, and banana cream pies.

The process of making meringue is easy, but there are a few tips that need to be followed to achieve success. Make sure to learn the pitfalls and fixes before you begin.

Ingredients

  • 2 large egg whites, room temperature

  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, or 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • Pie of your choice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (3)

  2. In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until frothy.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (4)

  3. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until stiff.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (5)

  4. Add the vanilla and blend well.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (6)

  5. Pilethe meringue onto apie filling, spreading to the edges of the crust.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (7)

  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the peaks are browned.

    Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (8)

  7. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variation

For a higher meringue, use 3 egg whites, 3/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar, 5 tablespoons of brown sugar, and about 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Meringue Success Tips

  • For best results, use eggs that are at least three days old.
  • Make sure there is no egg yolk or fat in the egg whites before you begin to beat them. Even your fingers can leave a trace of oil in the whites, which will impede them from becoming stiff, so don't touch them as you separate the eggs.
  • Cold eggs separate better, but the whites should come to room temperature before you begin beating them.
  • If you don't have cream of tartar, use 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. It's the acidity from the cream of tartar (or lemon juice) that helps keep the meringue from collapsing.
  • Use a glass or stainless steel bowl to beat the egg whites. Copper is very good as well.
  • Humidity can have a negative impact on meringues, so try to make meringue on a dry day.

Why are less-fresh eggs better for meringue?

The proteins in fresh egg whites are tightly knit together, making it harder for them to break apart and foam up and expand; it will take longer and require more whipping to reach the foamy stage. Older egg whites, however, are thinner and can whip easier, creating more volume. Having the egg whites at room temperature also increases the volume of the egg whites, nearly eight times the original.

  • Southern Desserts
  • Pies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
27Calories
0g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories27
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 15mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 5mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 37mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Pie
  • dessert
  • southern
  • thanksgiving

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Make This Basic Brown Sugar Meringue for Your Pie (2024)

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