Brighten up your dessert table with a luscious Date Orange Meringue Filling, a delightful twist on traditional meringue pies. This recipe harmoniously blends the natural sweetness of pitted dates with the zesty tang of freshly squeezed orange juice and fragrant orange zest, creating a velvety citrus filling that's both rich and refreshing. Topped with a perfectly golden, airy meringue made from whipped egg whites and a hint of cream of tartar, this dessert is a true showstopper. The filling is thickened with egg yolks and cornstarch for a smooth, custard-like texture, while a touch of butter gives it a luxurious finish. Perfect for pies, tart shells, or even as a standalone treat, this date-orange dessert is ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself to a sophisticated, fruity indulgence.
In a small saucepan, combine the pitted dates and orange juice. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates soften and break down.
Transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Return the mixture to the saucepan.
Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and orange zest in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually temper the mixture by slowly whisking in a few tablespoons of the warm date-orange puree.
Pour the tempered egg mixture into the saucepan with the remaining date-orange puree. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the butter until fully incorporated. Let the filling cool slightly, then pour it into a pre-baked pie crust or tart shell.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
To make the meringue, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean, dry bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat the mixture until glossy and stiff peaks form.
Spoon or pipe the meringue over the date-orange filling, spreading it evenly to cover the surface completely and seal the edges.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
Cool the pie on a wire rack and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the filling to set.
Calories |
274 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.3 g | 7% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.7 g | 14% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 33 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.2 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.9 g | ||
| Protein | 3.9 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 37 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 332 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.