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Easy lemon tart recipe with shortcrust pastry and fresh lemon custard filling.

French Lemon Tart Recipe

Judith Coates
A French lemon tart with crisp sweet shortcrustpastry and a smooth baked filling of fresh lemons, eggs, sugar, and cream.Chill before serving for neat slices.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cooling & Fridge Time 3 hours
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course desserts
Cuisine French
Servings 6

Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C/Gas 6). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) tart tin.
  • Roll out the pastry and line the tin without stretching, leaving a small overhang. Prick the base, line with parchment, and fill with baking beans or uncooked rice. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the edges begin to color.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the eggs gently and mix in the sugar. Stir in the cream and lemon juice. Strain through a fine sieve, then stir in the finely grated zest.
  • Remove the parchment and weights from the pastry. Return the shell to the oven for 5 minutes to dry the base.
  • Reduce the oven to 300°F (150°C/Gas 2). Pour the filling into the shell, keeping it below the rim. Bake for about 1 hour, until the edges are set and the center has a gentle wobble.
  • Remove from the oven and carefully trim any overhanging pastry. Cool on a rack, then refrigerate within 2 hours of baking. Chill for at least 3 hours before slicing.

Notes

  • Use my recipe for the homemade short crust pastry Paté Brisée Sucrée, if you possibly can; it will make such a delicious difference.
  • Store-bought pastry will do, but once you try my recipe, you will want to double or triple the recipe to wrap and freeze to have on hand.
  • Do not whip air into the filling.
  • Avoid the white lemon pith as it can be bitter.
  • Use doneness cues as well as time.
  • Tin depth affects capacity; do not overfill.
  • Keep refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below for 3–4 days is ok.
  • Freezing the finished custard tart is not recommended. The pastry can be prepared and frozen separately.

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Nutrition

Calories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 9gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 182mgSodium: 247mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 2gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 2mg
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