Lemon Sponge Pie (like my mother's)-Birdy

[wilderness]

Lemon Sponge Pie (like my mother's)-Birdy
bhg.com/recipe/pies/lemon-sponge-pie

Try this light and airy pie recipe featuring finely shredded lemon peel and a splash of lemon juice.

8 servings (6 in our house. LOL!)
1 recipe Single-Crust Pie Pastry, see recipe, or 1 rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust (1/2 of a 15-oz. pkg.)
2 eggs
⅓ cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon zest
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 recipe Candied Lemon Slices (see recipe below) (optional)
CANDIED LEMON SLICES
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup water
2 lemons, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Prepare pastry and line 9-inch pie plate. Line with double thickness of foil. Bake for 8 minutes; remove foil. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes more or until lightly browned. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees F.

Separate egg yolks from whites; place whites in medium bowl and set aside.

In large bowl beat butter with electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in sugar until combined. Beat in egg yolks, lemon peel, lemon juice, flour, and salt until just combined. Add milk; beat until just combined (mixture will be thin and will appear curdled).

(Note: Personally, I would beat the egg whites first so I wouldn't have to wash the beaters to do the other half of the recipe. Even a tiny bit of egg yolk would keep the whites from beating properly.)

Thoroughly wash beaters. In the medium bowl beat egg whites with mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold egg whites into beaten mixture. Transfer mixture to prebaked crust.

Loosely tent top of pie with foil to prevent overbrowning, making sure the foil does not touch the filling. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or until set in the center.

Cool 1 hour on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours. To serve, top with Candied Lemon Slices. Makes 8 servings.

CANDIED LEMON SLICES
In large skillet combine sugar and water; bring to boiling. Add lemons, thinly sliced. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 1 to 2 minutes or until just softened. Transfer to a wire rack; cool.

IN COMMENTS;

Second time is the charm. First attempt at this recipe, the pie didn't cook enough after 30-35 min cook time. Second attempt I cooked it for 50 min and had success. Keep the foil tent on the entire time in the oven.

NOTE: Original post