Zesty Lemon Tart with Buttery Crust (No-Fail Recipe!)

🍋 Homemade Lemon Tart Recipe–Buttery Crust & Silky Lemon Filling

Lemon Tart

There's something truly special about a freshly baked lemon tart. The combination of a crisp, buttery crust and a smooth, tangy filling makes this dessert a favorite for any occasion-be it a family gathering, tea party, or festive celebration. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make a classic lemon tart from scratch with easy steps and helpful tips.

📊 Quick Facts

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

Total Time: ~3 hours

Serving Size: 1 slice (serves 8)

Calories/Slice: ~310 kcal

🛒 Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)

• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (115g)

• ⅓ cup powdered sugar (40g)

• 1 egg yolk

• Pinch of salt

• 1–2 tbsp ice water

• For the Lemon Filling:

• ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 3 whole eggs

• 2 egg yolks

• 1 cup sugar (200g)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed (115g)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Dough:

Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Rub in the butter until crumbly. Add the egg yolk and ice water to form a soft dough. Flatten, wrap, and chill for 30–45 minutes.

2. Prebake the Crust:

Roll out the dough and place in a tart pan. Prick the base with a fork. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes with pie weights, then 10 minutes without. Let cool.

3. Prepare the Filling:

In a saucepan, whisk the eggs, yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Stir constantly on low heat until thickened (8–10 min). Remove from heat and stir in butter until smooth. Strain for best texture.

4. Assemble and Chill:

Pour the filling into the crust. Smooth the top and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

🍽️ Serving Tips

• Dust with powdered sugar
• Add fresh berries or mint leaves
• Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

💡 Kitchen Tip:

“If the curd thickens too fast, reduce heat. Stir constantly it prevents curdling and keeps the texture silky.”

✅ Final Thoughts

This lemon tart is rich, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to make. The bright lemon flavor pairs beautifully with the buttery crust. Try it once, and you’ll make it again and again!