Lemon Tart
A classic French-style tart with crisp sweet shortcrust pastry and a smooth, brightly flavored baked lemon filling.
Instructions
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Step 1
Combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Step 2
Add the cold water and mix just until the dough holds together. Flatten it into a disk and wrap it.
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Step 3
Refrigerate the dough until firm.
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Step 4
Roll the dough between sheets of baking parchment into a circle about 3 mm thick. Line the tart pan, trim the edge, prick the base with a fork, and freeze until firm.
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Step 5
Preheat the oven to 190°C. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet, line the frozen shell with baking parchment, and fill it with pie weights.
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Step 6
Bake the weighted pastry shell until the sides are set and lightly colored.
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Step 7
Carefully remove the parchment and weights. Return the shell to the oven until the base is dry and pale golden, then reduce the oven to 160°C.
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Step 8
Whisk the eggs and granulated sugar until evenly combined, without whipping in excessive air.
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Step 9
Whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, and heavy cream into the egg mixture until smooth.
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Step 10
Pour the filling into the warm pastry shell. Bake at 160°C until the edges are set, the center has a slight wobble, and the filling reaches at least 71°C.
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Step 11
Transfer the tart in its pan to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
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Step 12
Refrigerate the tart until thoroughly chilled and firm, then remove it from the pan and slice.
Nutrition (Estimated)
Food safety
Caution: moderate
Cook the filling to at least 71°C. Refrigerate the cooled tart within 2 hours and keep it covered at 4°C or below; consume within 3 days.
Risk factors
- raw egg filling
- perishable dairy custard
- hot pie weights and tart pan