Mini Lemon Meringue Pie

Instructions

1. First, make the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the cold butter and cold cream cheese pieces and pulse until the mixture looks like large pebbles.
3. Add the water and pulse until a dough forms. Alternately, you can make the dough by hand by cutting the butter and cream cheese into the flour mixture with a pastry blender.
4. Gather the dough and divide into 2 pieces. Shape into flat round disks, cover in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until cold.
5. Wrap the outside bottom of two 4-inch springform pans with aluminum foil.
6. Working with one disk at a time, roll the dough into a circle a little bigger than one pan, about 6 inches. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Prick holes with a fork. Repeat with the remaining dough and pan.
7. Line each pie crust with greased foil on top then fill with pie weights or dried beans. Freeze while you preheat the oven to 400F/205C degrees. It's important the dough stays cold.
8. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and weights then bake another 10-15 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and done. This is the only time the crust will be baked. Turn the oven down to 350F/180C. Cool while you make the filling.
9. Next, make the filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the water, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and salt. Bring to a boil, whisking often. Boil for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and almost transparent. Remove from the heat.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and lemon juice. Whisk some of the hot sugar mixture into the yolks to temper. Return everything to the saucepan.
11. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes or until thick and clear. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla. Fill the cooled pie shells with hot filling.
12. Make the meringue: In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, water, cornstarch, and salt. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute or until the mixture becomes clear and thickened. Remove from the heat.
13. In a clean large mixing bowl on medium speed, beat the egg white until foamy.
14. Increase the speed to high and beat until soft peaks form (when you pull the beaters straight up, the peaks will form but the tips will fall over).
15. Gradually beat in the sugar mixture. Beat until
    stiff peaks form (when you pull the beaters straight up, the peaks won't fall over).
16. Top both pies with the meringue, making sure the pie is completely sealed (if there are holes in the meringue, there will be a mess). Bake 10-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Alternately, toast with a blow torch. Cool completely before cutting. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.