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How to Make Classic Lemon Pie Filling

ByKatie
10 Comments

This classic lemon pie filling is one of those things that is hard to give up once you’ve had it. Canned just can’t compete. Whether you’re filling doughnuts with it, layering it between cake layers, or using it as a base for a classic lemon pie, it’s definitely worth the effort to make it yourself.

Classic Lemon Pie Filling

The perfect blend of sweet and tangy meets in a lusciously smooth filling.
Print Recipe
A vibrant, glossy bowl of lemon pie filling, showcasing the final product's texture and color, ready to be used in a pie or for other dessert applications.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups water
  • 2 lemons (juiced and zested)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 egg yolks (beaten)

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Instructions

  • Prepare the Lemon Mixture. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir in 1 ½ cups of water, the juice, and zest of 2 lemons. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil.
    with sugar for lemon pie filling at an early stage of cooking, with a whisk for stirring, indicating the initial cooking phase.
  • Thicken the Filling. After the mixture boils, turn down the heat and let it simmer for 1 minute. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens a lot.
    A saucepan with lemon pie filling at an early stage of cooking, with a whisk for stirring, indicating the initial cooking phase.
  • Temper the Egg Yolks. In a small bowl, whisk 4 beaten egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot sugar mixture to temper the egg yolks. This step prevents the eggs from curdling.
    A bowl of beaten egg yolks beside a whisk and a small dish of butter, indicating the preparation steps for making lemon pie filling.
  • Combine and Cook. Pour the tempered egg yolks back into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and continue cooking, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. The filling should be thick and smooth.
    A close-up view inside a saucepan showing lemon pie filling at a smooth, thickened consistency, ready for cooling or pie assembly
  • Finish the Filling. Remove from heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and keep stirring until it melts completely and mixes into the filling.
    A saucepan with lemon pie filling being mixed with a whisk, showing the step where butter is incorporated into the thickened lemon mixture
  • Cool and Use. Let the filling cool a bit before pouring it into your pie crust. If you're not using it right away, cover the filling with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface to avoid forming a skin.

Notes

Before you start cooking, make sure to have all your ingredients measured and ready. This will make the process smoother and prevent any last-minute searching for ingredients.
Always use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Eureka and Lisbon lemons are commonly found and offer a perfect balance of tartness and juice, which is great for pie fillings. On the other hand, Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic, so you might need to adjust the sugar content.
Using room-temperature egg yolks makes blending with the hot mixture easier, reducing the risk of curdling.
Pour the lemon mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the butter to make a smoother filling.
The filling should coat the back of a spoon, and hold a line drawn through it with your finger. It will thicken more as it cools, so avoid overcooking it to achieve a thicker consistency.
Taste your lemon juice before starting; if it’s particularly tart, you might want to add a bit more sugar. Conversely, reduce the sugar if you prefer a sharper, more citrus-forward flavor.
And here are some of our favorite recipes with lemon pie filling.
Servings: 1 nine-inch pie
Author: Katie

More Tips:

When mixing the egg yolks with the hot mixture, keep whisking to make sure the filling is smooth and creamy.

Pour the lemon mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the butter to make the filling extra smooth. This gets rid of any lumps or bits of zest.

Cornstarch is necessary for thickening but can taste raw if not cooked properly. Boil the mixture for at least 1 minute after adding the cornstarch to get rid of this flavor.

If you’re not using the filling immediately, cover it with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface. This stops a skin from forming on top.

Let the mixture cool a bit before pouring it into your pie crust to prevent a soggy crust.

Before taking it off the heat, taste the filling and adjust the sugar or lemon juice to your liking if necessary. A small change can make it perfect for your taste.

An overhead shot of lemon pie filling covered with plastic wrap in a saucepan beside a yellow and white checkered cloth, indicating the step to prevent skin formation on the filling.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this in a graham cracker crust topped with fresh whipped cream for a simple no-bake pie, or make homemade yeast doughnuts without cutting a center hole and pipe the filling in after you fry them.

Key Ingredients and Tools

To make a great lemon pie filling, you’ll need a few specific items:

Fresh Lemons: Fresh lemons provide the best flavor and juice and zest for your pie filling. I wouldn’t recommend making this without it.

Fine-Mesh Sieve: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth filling by removing any lumps or zest bits.

Ingredients for lemon pie filling neatly arranged on a marble countertop, including sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, egg yolks, butter, and a measuring cup of water, showcasing the mise en place for the recipe

Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the filling, creating a silky texture that is important for a good pie filling.

Whisk: A whisk is essential for smoothly blending ingredients and preventing lumps, especially when mixing the egg yolks.

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Storage Instructions

Short-Term Storage: Keep the lemon pie filling in an airtight container. If you don’t have a large container, pour the filling into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to prevent skin from forming on top. It can be refrigerated like this for up to 3 days.

Make-Ahead Tip: If you plan to use the filling within a few days, making it ahead can be a real-time save. Prepare the filling per the recipe, let it cool to room temperature, and store it in the refrigerator as described above.

Long-Term Storage: Lemon pie filling can be frozen, although the texture might change slightly upon thawing. Cool the filling completely to freeze, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Leave some space at the top, as the filling will expand when frozen. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing: Thaw the frozen lemon pie filling in the refrigerator overnight. Before using, stir it well to ensure the consistency is even. A gentle whisk should bring the filling back together if it separates slightly.

Freezing Tip: Consider freezing the filling in pre-measured amounts, enough for one pie each. This way, you only thaw what you need.

After Storing: The filling might have thickened a bit more after refrigeration or thawing. Gently reheat it over low heat while stirring continuously to restore its smooth consistency. If it seems too thick, a small amount of water or lemon juice can be added to adjust the texture.

I usually make the filling in the morning and assemble my pie around lunchtime.

This is worth all the squeezing and mixing. You’ll love all the flavor it adds to homemade baked goods.

prepared pie filling homemade filling.
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By Katie Shaw

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Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just made this for a pie for my husband’s birthday tomorrow and it was absolutely delicious!! Lemon pie is his favorite!! Thanks for sharing!👍

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    Might be the best thing I ever tasted. I had to leave the kitchen to avoid eating it all – I swear there is something kind of trickery involved to make it super-addictive. Can’t stop thinking about it.

    Reply

    1. Oh wow, that makes me so happy! I agree, homemade lemon pie filling is just too good. Maybe it’s the sweet and tart mix that makes it so addictive! I know how hard it is to stop eating it. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you make it again soon!

      Reply

    1. Yes it’s PERFECT for that!!! my favorite for this is king Arthur’s yellow cake the the layers and a buttercream with coconut on top. 🙂

      Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Thank you. I have never made a lemon filling before I was surprised at how easy this was. It will not be my last time making it. Thanks so much for the ease n tips you included

    Reply

    1. Hey Barbara, you’re so welcome! I’m happy to hear you found it easy and enjoyable to make. Lemon pie filling is such a game-changer, isn’t it? I hope it becomes a go-to recipe for you. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience—it means so much!:)

      Reply

  5. 5 stars
    I made this a few days ago and used it as filling for lemon meringue pie. It’s delicious and just perfect for those who don’t want milk or cream in their desserts. So a big thankyou and I’ll be making this again soon. Next up will be the cookies…..

    Reply
5 from 5 votes

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