Lemon Meringue pie & cupcakes~

I pulled off all the lemons off of my lemon tree and squeezed & froze all the juice so I could have "lemons" all year long. I placed 1/2 cup of lemon juice in each ziploc snack bag, folded the bags to get out as much air as possible then sealed them shut. I freeze them flat so I can stack them easily in the freezer. Here is my first pie of the year, okokok first TWO pies of the year, one for me and one for my daughter and her family..... YuMmY!Deluxe Lemon Meringue Pie
1 1/2 c Sugar
1/3 c cornstarch
1 1/2c water, cold
1/2 c lemon juice
5 large eggs -- separated (you'll use the yokes for the pie)
2 tb butter / or margarine
Optional: 1 tsp Lemon rind -- grated- up to 3 tsp
9" pastry shell -- baked
Meringue:
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 c sugar -- plus 2 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 egg whites (left over from the pie)

Combine the sugar & cornstarch in a large heavy saucepan; mix well. Gradually add the water and lemon juice into the mixture and have the pot on a medium heat stirring until mixture is smooth. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored; gradually stir into lemon mixture. Add butter, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Cook 1 minute, stirring continuously. Remove from heat; stir in lemon rind. I let the lemon filling cool in the fridge for a few house then I pour it into the pastry shell. This way the lemon filling doesn't "sweat" and make a watery mess.... Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed of an electric mixer just until foamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2 to 4 minutes). Beat in vanilla, and spread meringue over filling, touching the edge of the pastry to get a nice seal. Bake at 325~ for 25 to 30 mins. or until meringue is golden brown. Cool to room temp.

Lastly, some low calorie cupcakes that I made for my daughter to pass out to a few people who will come to visit her in the hospital when my grandaughter Chloe is born~

Here is a close up of one of the cupcakes~