Date Orange Meringue Filling

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.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 4 large egg yolks
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
• 4 large egg whites
• 0.25 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 0.5 cup sugar (for meringue)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Return the mixture to the saucepan.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat the mixture until glossy and stiff peaks form.

Step 9

Spoon or pipe the meringue over the date-orange filling, spreading it evenly to cover the surface completely and seal the edges.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.

Step 11

Cool the pie on a wire rack and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the filling to set.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(954.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2196.0

Total Fat 42.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 800mg	0%
Sodium 262.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 446.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.2g	0%
Total Sugars 399.4g
Protein 31.4g	0%

Vitamin D 87.2IU	0%
Calcium 298.7mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 2599.0mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 16.7%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 77.8%