Cloud Nine Berry Pie
Author: 
 
Serves 8
Ingredients
  • MERINGUE:
  • 4 egg whites, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 cup superfine sugar
  • grated peel of one small lemon
  • a few drops of lemon extract (optional)
  • PIE FILLING:
  • 2 cups fresh raspberries (plus a few for decorating, if desired)
  • juice from one small lemon
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, divided
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 250 F.
  2. In a small bowl, whip the egg whites until foamy. Sprinkle with cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.
  3. Add 1 cup of superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well between each addition. When all sugar has been added, beat until stiff peaks form.
  4. Gently fold in the grated lemon peel and extract.
  5. Spray a deep-dish pie pan with non-stick spray. Spread (or pipe) the meringue evenly over entire inside surface.
  6. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the pie crust in the oven until it cools (or at least 1 hour).
  7. While the crust is baking, begin cooking the berry portion of the filling: Place berries into a small saucepan with the lemon juice. Cover and cook on medium-low for about ½ hour, stirring occasionally.
  8. Place the cooked berries in a fine strainer over a small bowl and press the juice out, discarding the seeds and pulp. You should have about ½ cup of juice. If necessary, add a little water.
  9. Put the juice back in the small saucepan and bring to a boil.
  10. Combine ¼ cup sugar and cornstarch and whisk into boiling juice. Turn down to medium-low, cooking and stirring for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. If you are in a hurry, the pan can be set into a cold water bath to cool.
  11. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1½ cups powdered sugar together well, until creamy.
  12. Add half of the berry mixture (reserving the rest for drizzling over the dessert) and mix until combined.
  13. In a medium bowl, beat the whipping cream until thickened. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. Fold into cream cheese mixture.
  14. Spoon the filling into cooled meringue crust. Chill for 1 hour. Decorate with whipped cream and raspberries and serve.
  15. Store in refrigerator. The meringue crust will soften during refrigeration, but the flavor will still be amazing.
Recipe by The Rowdy Baker at http://www.therowdybaker.com/?p=2933