Just whipped up a fluffy homemade meringue for your favorite dreamy cream pie? Knowing how to store meringue pie and other cream-topped pies is crucial to ensure your dessert stays in perfect condition when it's time to serve.
Our Test Kitchen has the best tips on how to store lemon meringue pie, chocolate silk pie, and all other cream pies. Check out our guide for serving cream pie to ensure each slice dishes up perfectly for the family.
How to Store Meringue Pie and Other Cream Pies
Here's how to ensure your pie comes out of the refrigerator as beautifully as it went in.
- To store a meringue-topped cream pie, let it cool for 1½ hours, then refrigerate. Chill it for 3 to 6 hours before serving; there's no need to cover it unless you're going to store it longer.
- To store a meringue-topped pie overnight, insert wooden toothpicks into meringue halfway between the center and edge of the pie; loosely drape clear plastic wrap over the toothpicks. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate whipped cream-topped pies for up to 4 hours.
Test Kitchen Tip: Some pastry desserts, like fruit pies, freeze well, but you might wonder if you can freeze coconut cream pie or other fluffy-topped pies. Unfortunately, cream pies and custard pies become soggy when frozen and thawed. So, enjoy them fresh to avoid disappointment.
How to Cut Meringue Pies and Cream Pies
The secret to easily cutting a meringue-topped cream pie? Dip your knife in hot water. This prevents the meringue from clinging to the knife.
With all the info you need for storing meringue pies and cream pies, make sure you know how to prevent the topping from weeping. And now that you know cream pies aren't good candidates for freezing, here are some delicious make-ahead sweet treats and freezer-friendly cookies to consider.
