There’s something undeniably comforting about a slice of lemon tart the kind with a buttery, crumbly crust and a smooth, tangy filling that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour. It’s the sort of dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshing, making it just as welcome after a hearty dinner as it is alongside a quiet cup of tea. Tarts are one of those desserts that look fancy but are actually pretty simple to make and even easier to enjoy. At their core, tarts are just pastries with a crisp, buttery crust and a tasty filling, usually baked open-faced so you can see all the goodness inside. You’ve probably seen sweet tarts filled with silky chocolate, fresh fruit, or creamy custards (like a classic lemon tart), and savoury ones packed with things like cheese, eggs, and veggies,like quiche.
What makes tarts so special is that perfect balance of texture and flavour: the crunch of the crust, the smoothness of the filling, and the endless ways to make them your own. Whether you’re baking something elegant for a dinner party or just want a treat with your afternoon coffee, a good tart never disappoints.
How to make it:
Here we are making no-bake mixture lemon tart. It is easier to make and more delicious. Lemon tart is a French dessert it defines the true, natural taste of lemon.
Making the Crust
For the crust, we have to take icing sugar, but if you don’t have it, and only have granulated sugar, there’s nothing to worry about. You simply have to take a grinder and grind it—hehe, magic icing sugar!
Now take room-temperature butter and add it to a bowl with the sugar. Take one egg and separate the whites and yolk. Now add the white to the butter-sugar mixture.
Add vanilla essence—and if you have vanilla beans, you can use those too; they can really enhance the flavour. But the important point is: you have to bring the lemon flavour notes high in your dish.
Mixing the Dough
Beat the mixture with a hand mixer. Now take all-purpose flour and add it to the bowl. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Put the dough on a wide surface and knead it with your hands until it becomes combined and smooth.
Shaping the Tart
Take a tart pan and grease it with butter. Now place the dough in the form of a ball into the pan. Gently press the dough into the pan using your fingers. Make sure it’s not too thick or too thin. Cut off any excess dough and prick the base with a fork.
At this step, you can also make mini tarts, as I am doing. They’re easier for family members to enjoy!
Baking the Tart
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the tarts for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they look cooked and lightly golden.
Let the tart shells cool completely before removing them from the pans. You can also store them if you want to use them later.
Preparing the Filling
Now for the filling! Since we are making a dessert, you have to take sugar again. Take a saucepan and add butter into it. Then add lemon juice and egg yolks only.
Now add the sugar into the mixture, along with a bit of yellow food colouring to make it more enhancing and vibrant. Whisk everything together well.
Cooking the Filling
Now it’s time for the flame part. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat while whisking continuously until it becomes smooth and creamy. Be patient—this step is important to get that perfect lemon curd texture.
Once it’s ready, let it rest for a bit and cool down completely.
Filling the Tart Shells
Take a piping bag and add the cooled lemon filling into it. Now, fill the tart shells with the lemon curd.
Decorating and Serving
Decorate the tarts with your favourite toppings. I am using cream and raspberries to make them more attractive and eye-catching.
Now take a bite and enjoy the richness of lemon!
Ingredients we need :
For crust :
- Icing Sugar: 50 grams
- Unsalted Butter (room temperature): 150 grams
- Egg White: 1
- Vanilla Essence: 1 teaspoon
- All-Purpose Flour: 200 grams
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
For filling :
- Granulated Sugar: 150 grams
- Unsalted Butter (room temperature): 100 grams
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 3 tablespoons
- Egg Yolks: 8
- Yellow Food Coloring: 2–3 drops
Just a Little Note for My Diet-Conscious Friends:
If you are diet-conscious, you can still enjoy this lemon tart but in a smaller portion. It does have sugar, butter, and egg yolks, which means it’s rich and creamy, but also a bit high in calories. The good thing is, a little goes a long way because of its strong lemon flavour. You can also try making a lighter version by using less sugar or a low-fat butter alternative. Just remember, it’s okay to enjoy a treat sometimes, even on a diet—balance is the key!