Magic Lemon Meringue Pie

 Magic Lemon Meringue Pie

3 eggs, separated

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tsps. lemon zest

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar

Beat egg yolks until they are pale yellow.  Add in sweetened condensed milk and after mixing well, add the lemon juice and zest.   This will thicken the milk as you stir it.  Pour into prepared pie shell ( graham cracker or baked pastry shell).   Place in a 325F oven for 25 minutes.  Increase heat to 350F and remove pie.

Beat the three egg whites with the cream of tartar, then gradually add the sugar beating until the meringue forms peaks.  Do not overbeat!   Top the hot pie filling with the meringue, being sure to spread it to the edges of the crust.  Bake at 350F for about 10 minutes until peaks are golden brown.

You may substitute in half a cup of fresh orange juice and 2 tsps. orange zest to make an orange meringue pie.  It's equally as good!