What was wrong with my Ohio Shaker Lemon Pie?
I have this recipe on my short list to try:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/shaker-lemon-pie/

Few things I've noticed in her recipe and my own experience with pies containing whole lemons.


The meyer lemons as she notes make a huge difference. Mind you their growing season is short and they are not available everywhere. If you have access to them, then all the better. Otherwise find the sweetest variety you can.
If you can, select lemons with as thin rinds as possible.
That all said, the shaker pie is designed to be sweet, sour and bitter. How bitter depends on the above.