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Home » Quiches, tarts and pastries

French lemon tart (tarte au citron)

29/06/2022 by Judith 20 Comments

French lemon tart is my version of the popular French lemon tart, tarte au citron. It has a crunchy sweet shortcrust pastry shell filled with a tangy lemon custard and will make you feel as though you are sitting in a French patisserie.

Lemon tart

This lemon dessert can easily be prepared by following a few simple steps. It is perfect for family meals, fine dining or afternoon tea and as the ingredients are readily available it can be enjoyed throughout the year.

The pastry case can be prepared ahead of time for convenience, but if you want to save time you could opt to use a ready made pie crust. In this case simply jump to the heading "To prepare the lemon custard filling" and continue from there.

The quantities in this French lemon tart recipe are sufficient for around 8 servings.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Overhead view of a lemon tart

Ingredients for the sweet shortcrust pastry

  • 160g plain flour - also known as all purpose flour. No speciality flour is needed to make this pastry. You will also need a little extra flour for rolling out.
  • 80g butter - chilled. Either salted or unsalted. I have used butter to make this pie crust as I like the flavour but you could substitute margarine if you prefer.
  • 50g icing sugar - this adds a slight sweetness to the pastry.
  • 1 egg - the egg adds texture to the pastry and a richness of flavour.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ideally use vanilla extract but if you don't have any you could use vanilla essence but make sure you use a good quality brand.
  • Water - use water only if your pastry is too dry and add a little at a time.

Ingredients for the lemon custard filling

  • 5 eggs - the eggs add richness to the lemon curd and help it to set. This recipe uses whole eggs rather than just the yolks so you are not left wondering what to make with the egg whites.
  • 150 ml double cream - in the UK double cream has around 48% fat content and is ideal for this lemon curd filling. If you are outside the UK try to match this as closely as possible.
  • 3 lemons - use both the juice and the zest to give your tart it's tangy lemon flavour. As this recipe uses the zest it is better to use unwaxed lemons if possible. If not, then wash and dry the lemons before zesting.
  • 150g caster sugar - caster sugar is better than granulated sugar as it is finer and dissolves more quickly.
  • Icing sugar - dust a little icing sugar over the tart just before serving to add that finishing touch.

Equipment needed

In addition to standard kitchen equipment you will need a 20cm diameter loose bottomed non-stick flan dish. If you don't have one, see "Tips" below.

To prepare the pastry

The easiest way to prepare the pastry dough is to use a food processor.

Place the flour in a food processor. Cut the butter into pieces and add to the flour. Pulse until it is the consistency of breadcrumbs.

Ingredients for sweet shortcrust pastry in a food processor.

Add the icing sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract and pulse again until the pastry forms a single mass. Add the egg white if the dough is too dry (which may be the case particularly in cold weather) and pulse again. If it still looks to need more liquid add a little water, a small amount at a time, and pulse again until the pastry is the right consistency to roll out.

If you do not wish to use a food processor or don't have one then the pastry can be prepared by hand.

Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

Roll out on a lightly floured pastry board to form a shape of a circle, about 3 mm thick. Carefully lift and place over a 20cm diameter non stick loose bottomed metal flan tin. Gently press into place and trim any excess pastry. Cover and place in the fridge until you are ready to add the filling.

A tart dish lined with pastry with edges untrimmed.

To prepare the lemon tart filling

Start by zesting and juicing the lemons.

Next, whisk the eggs in a large bowl.

Eggs in a bowl with a whisk.

Add the cream, lemon zest, lemon juice and caster sugar and whisk again.

Sugar being added to a bowl of custard ingredients.

To assemble and bake the lemon tart

Heat the lemon custard to around room temperature and then pour into the pastry case to just below the top of the pastry.

Lemon custard being poured into a pastry case.

Bake the tarte au citron in the centre of a preheated oven at 170oC, 325oF, gas mark 3 for around 30 minutes or until firm.

Place on a wire rack to cool. Carefully remove from the tin when cool and place on a plate and chill. The lemon curd may crack slightly but I think this adds to the attractiveness of the tart.

Dust with a little icing sugar just before serving.

A lemon tart dusted with icing sugar.

FAQs

Do you need to blind bake the pie crust?

For this tarte au citron recipe the tart crust does not need to be blind baked. The whole lemon tart (pastry case and lemon tart filling) will cook at the same time.

What country is lemon tart from?

Lemon tart originates in France where it is known as tarte au citron but has now become popular in other parts of the world. This tarte au citron recipe is my version of the classic French tart.

What do you serve with lemon tart?

Serve your chilled lemon tart with a dollop of cream or ice cream. Or you could top part of your tart with slices of lemon, fresh fruit or a sprig of mint. My favourite way to enjoy this tart is with a simple dusting of icing sugar.

Tips

  1. The pastry case can be prepared ahead of time, covered with cling film and either stored in the fridge until the next day or frozen. The frozen pastry cased will defrost fairly quickly at room temperature when you are ready to use it.
  2. If you don't want to make pastry you could use a ready made pastry case to make this lemon curd pie.
  3. If you don't have a loose bottomed non-stick flan tin you could use a similar sized ceramic dish but place a sheet of non-stick baking parchment in the base of the dish before lining with the pastry.
  4. While you are making pastry it is worth preparing more than one batch as there will be same amount of washing up for two or three batches. You will then have pastry prepared to use for another recipe such as cherry Bakewell tart or pistachio frangipane.

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Lemon tart

French Lemon tart (tarte au citron)

Lemon tart is my version of the French pastry, tarte au citron. It has a sweet shortcrust pastry shell filled with a tangy lemon custard.
5 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Chilling time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine French
Servings 8
Calories 369 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the sweet shortcrust pastry

  • 160 g flour
  • 80 g butter chilled
  • 50 g icing sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence
  • Water

For the lemon custard filling

  • 5 eggs
  • 150 ml double cream
  • 3 lemons (juice and zest)
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Instructions
 

To prepare the pastry

  • Place the flour and butter in a food processor and pulse until the consistency of breadcrumbs.
  • Add the icing sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract (or essence) and pulse again. Add the egg white if the dough seems too dry and pulse again. If it still looks to need more liquid add a little water and pulse again.
  • Wrap in cling film and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Roll out a circle, 3mm thick, on a lightly floured pastry board ad line a 20 cm diameter non stick loose bottomed metal flan tin. Cover and chill until ready to add the filling.

To prepare the lemon custard filling

  • Zest and juice the lemons.
  • Whisk the eggs in a large bowl.
  • Add the cream, lemon zest, lemon juice and caster sugar and whisk again.

To assemble the tart and bake

  • Preheat the oven to 170°C, 325°F, gas mark 3.
  • Heat the lemon custard to around room temperature and then pour into the pastry case to just below the top of the pastry.
  • Bake in the centre of the oven for around 30 minutes or until firm in the centre.
  • Place on a wire rack to cool.
  • Carefully remove, place on a serving plate and chill.
  • Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

Notes

  1. The pastry case can be prepared ahead of time, covered with cling film and either stored in the fridge until the next day or frozen. The frozen pastry cased will defrost fairly quickly at room temperature when you are ready to use it.
  2. If you don't want to make pastry you could use a ready made pastry case to make this lemon curd pie.
  3. If you don't have a loose bottomed non-stick flan tin you could use a similar sized ceramic dish but place a sheet of non-stick baking parchment in the base of the dish before lining with the pastry.
  4. While you are making pastry it is worth preparing more than one batch as there will be same amount of washing up for two or three batches. You will then have pastry prepared to use for another recipe such as cherry Bakewell tart or pistachio frangipane.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 714IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Lemon, Tart
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Giangi Townsend

    August 27, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    I am in love with this lemon tarte. The custard is out of this world delicious. Light with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Thank you for sharing it

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 27, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  2. Mallory

    August 27, 2022 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The tangy lemon custard is AMAZING! Will definitely be making this again.

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 27, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      I'm pleased you enjoyed this. Thank you for trying.

      Reply
  3. Shelby

    August 27, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    5 stars
    I love the delicate balance of sweet and tart, you nailed it! The lemon in this is so refreshing!

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 27, 2022 at 6:26 pm

      Im pleased you enjoyed the flavours. Thank you for trying this.

      Reply
  4. Jere Cassidy

    August 27, 2022 at 6:48 pm

    5 stars
    Shortcrust and lemon custard together always means a delicious dessert. Your recipe is super easy to make.

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      Thank you for trying this and for your feedback.

      Reply
  5. Nancy

    August 28, 2022 at 2:45 am

    5 stars
    This lemon tart has a nice balance

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:38 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  6. Emily Flint

    August 28, 2022 at 4:38 am

    5 stars
    I've always wanted to make a lemon tart and finally gave it a go with your recipe. Worked out great and everyone loved it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:38 pm

      Thank you for letting me know. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  7. Abhi

    August 28, 2022 at 6:31 am

    5 stars
    I love your recipe. The tart came out so well that everyone liked it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Katie

    August 28, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    Such a perfect tart for summer and spring! It's sweet and lemony!

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Aimee DiPasquale

    August 28, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    This is a perfect, end of summer treat . I love lemon.

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Holly

    August 29, 2022 at 1:48 am

    5 stars
    I made this tarte for a ladies' brunch and received so many compliments! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Judith

      August 29, 2022 at 12:41 pm

      I'm pleased everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me know.

      Reply
5 from 13 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to Veggie Ideas! I'm Judith and I created this site out of a love of good food, home cooking and a desire to share recipes so that others can enjoy them too. 

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