Lemon Meringue Slice

Its Fathers Day on Sunday and I'm starting to think it should be renamed Fathers Week! In the lead up to the actual day, my husband has a list of meals he wants me to cook and a list of treats he wants me to bake; they're all his favorites, or so he says ;) I don't mind really, he's a fantastic dad and husband, and he deserves to be spoiled...for the whole week!
One of the baked items he asked for was my Lemon Meringue Slice and I thought I'd share the recipe with you:

I have to agree with him, this slice is sooooo yummy, and the lemon packs such a punch your taste buds will be singing. The base is a melt in your mouth shortbread, the filling is smooth and lush, and its topped with a silky coconut meringue and toasted coconut flakes. Its sweet, its tangy, its velvety and delicious... its a little piece of heaven on a plate ♥

I'm a lover of anything lemon but seriously the coconut is to die for! The meringue has some lovely desiccated coconut stirred through and then its topped with those gorgeous flakes, which bake up all crunchy and yummy. Of course you can leave out the coconut if you're not a fan but I love the extra flavor and crunch it brings to this slice.

It's a quick and easy slice to bake but I did want to mention the shortbread base. Once your ingredients are mixed it will look crumbly and dry but it all comes together beautifully after kneading it for a few minutes. The heat in your hands will be enough to combine it all together.
Once I've kneaded it into a silky ball, I roll my pastry out roughly with a rolling pin and then press it into the tin. I then use the back of a metal spoon to spread it out evenly and firmly before putting it in the oven.

The slice is prepared and baked in three parts, so once the base is in the oven prepare the filling, and once the filling is on the base and back in the oven prepare the meringue.
You should be able to find all the ingredients in your pantry, and its a great way to use the lemons that are in surplus at this time of year.

We enjoy a piece of this Lemon Meringue Slice with a cup of tea or coffee (yes I'm drinking coffee again) but its also a great way to end a meal. It's sweet but not so much that your struggling to finish and your eyes are sweating, and the lemon cleanses your palette after a heavy meal.
I cut my slice into twelve pieces and I do store it in the fridge after its baked where it lasts for around two or three days.

If you would like to try my Lemon Meringue Slice, you can download the recipe by clicking the link or right click on the photo below and save it to your computer.

I hope you enjoy this Lemon Meringue Slice as much as we do. I still have a few of his favorite dinners to make during the week and then he's requested Lamingtons for the weekend - he really does take full advantage of Fathers Week ;) but you know what, he's totally worth it ♥