Creating a Sweet Lemon Meringue Pie requires a series of straightforward steps. Follow these instructions:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:
– Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
– In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add chilled butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
– Stir in ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim excess edges and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling.

2. Bake the Pie Crust:
– Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and let cool.

3. Make the Lemon Filling:
– In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens.
– Remove from heat and whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks. Return the egg yolk mixture to the saucepan and cook for 2 additional minutes.
– Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.

4. Prepare the Meringue:
– In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla extract.

5. Assemble the Pie:
– Spread the meringue over the lemon filling, sealing the edges to prevent shrinking. Use a spatula to create peaks or swirls for added texture.

6. Bake the Pie:
– Bake the pie in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown.

7. Cool the Pie:
– Allow the pie to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour, then refrigerate for 1 hour to set before serving.

Following these steps will lead you to a beautifully crafted Sweet Lemon Meringue Pie that everyone will rave about!