PIONEER WOMAN LEMON MERINGUE PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Put the flour mixture in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and shortening and pulse about 10 times until the butter is in small bits. Add the ice water and process until the dough comes together. Dump on a well-floured board and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
• Roll out the dough and fit into a 9-inch tart pan with removable sides. Don't stretch the dough when placing it in the pan or it will shrink during baking. Cut off the excess by rolling the pin across the top of the pan. Line the tart shell with a piece of buttered aluminum foil, butter side down, and fill it with dried beans or rice. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and foil and prick the bottom of the shell all over with a fork to allow the steam to escape. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside to cool. 
• Raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. 
• For the meringue, whip the egg whites, cream of tartar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed until frothy. With the mixer still running, slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and beat until the meringue is thick and shiny, about 2 minutes. 
• Immediately spread the lemon filling in the cooled tart shell and pipe the meringue over it with a large star tip. Be sure the meringue covers the entire top and touches the edges of the shell, to prevent it from shrinking. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, until the meringue is lightly browned. Cool to room temperature.
• Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 1 minute. On low speed, add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, and then add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Don't worry; it will look curdled. 
• Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until thick, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Whisk briskly when it starts to thicken and cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Don't allow it to boil! It will be 175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Pour into a bowl and cool to room temperature. 

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Break the graham crackers, add them to a food processor and process to fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and granulated sugar and process until well combined; the texture should be that of dry sand.
• Using the back of a measuring cup, press the crumbs firmly into a 9-inch round pie dish. Put the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake until slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool while making the filling.
• For the filling: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff. Set aside.
• To a clean mixing bowl, add the lemon curd, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth. Gently fold 3/4 cup of the whipped cream into the lemon curd mixture until combined.
• Pour the filling into the cooled pie shell. Top with the remaining whipped cream and use the back of a spoon to spread it and make peaks. Freeze, uncovered, for at least 2 hours. (If storing longer, after 2 hours in the freezer remove, cover and return to the freezer. Store for up to 48 hours in advance. If freezing overnight or longer, remove from the freezer 10 to 12 minutes before slicing.)
• For serving: If desired, top with the blackberries, raspberries and mint. Dust with powdered sugar.