Description
Arizona Sunshine Lemon Pie is a zesty and creamy dessert combining fresh lemon brightness with a smooth, luscious filling in a crunchy graham cracker crust. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, this pie brings a sunny burst of flavor and a beautiful yellow hue to your dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–5 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional but recommended)
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Press the graham cracker crust mixture firmly into a pie dish to create a sturdy base. Bake it for about 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to give it a slight toastiness that enhances flavor and texture.
- Mix the Filling: In a bowl, whisk together freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and room temperature eggs until fully combined. Slowly add the melted butter while continuing to whisk, ensuring a smooth, creamy consistency that will set perfectly once baked. Optionally, whisk in the heavy cream for added richness.
- Cook the Filling: Pour the lemon mixture into a heatproof bowl and place it over simmering water (double boiler method). Stir constantly until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, usually about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Cool and Chill: Pour the thickened filling into the pre-baked crust. Let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 3 hours, allowing the pie to set and flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure smooth mixing and avoid curdling during cooking.
- Strain the filling through a fine sieve after cooking to remove lumps for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Do not skip chilling; proper refrigeration is key for firm texture.
- Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Taste and adjust sugar to balance tartness before cooking.
- For vegan or dairy-free versions, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and use a vegan crust option.
- To serve, garnish with thin lemon slices, powdered sugar, or fresh mint for extra aroma and presentation appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Double Boiler
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: lemon pie, lemon dessert, creamy lemon pie, Arizona Sunshine Lemon Pie, easy lemon pie, citrus dessert