Old Fashioned Creamy Lemon Pie

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 large egg yolks, beaten
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish.
4. Bake the crust for 10 minutes until set. Allow it to cool while you prepare the filling.

For the Lemon Filling:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually whisk in the water until smooth.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
4. Once it thickens, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot sugar mixture to temper the eggs.
6. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly.
7. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens.
8. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter until smooth.
9. Pour the lemon filling into the cooled crust.

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

1. In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until it begins to thicken.
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
3. Spread the whipped cream over the lemon filling, covering the entire pie.

Chill and Serve:

1. Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or until set.
2. Once chilled, slice and serve. Optionally, garnish with additional lemon zest or slices.

Enjoy this Old Fashioned Creamy Lemon Pie with its perfect balance of fresh, zesty flavor and creamy texture. It’s a wonderful dessert for any occasion, especially for those who love the refreshing taste of lemon!