Applesauce Meringue Pie

Pastry for a 9" single crust pie

2 cups unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Meringue

3 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons superfine sugar

Preheat the oven to 450 Degrees F. Prepare the pie pastry. Line the pie pan
with the dough. Trim and crimp the edges.

Combine the applesauce, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks
until foamy. Stir in the milk. Combine the egg mixture with the applesauce
mixture. Add the melted butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Turn the filling
into the crust.

Bake at 450 Degrees F. for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 Degrees F. and
bake 35 minutes more. Remove the pie from the oven and leave the oven on.

While the pie is still hot, prepare the meringue. Beat the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until very stiff and glossy. All the sugar must be dissolved. Spread the meringue over the pie filling, sealing it to the edge of the crust. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe from "365 Great Pies You Can Bake," by Lois Hill