Classic lemon tart

Cut out a slice of a lemon tart, ready to serve, on a table.

Classic and decadent, I love how simple it is Lemon Tart Recipe, but still simple and elegant, as well as impressive and completely delicious. A perfect crowd pleaser.

A classic lemon tart on a plate, on a blue tablecloth, cut a slice from it.

i love Lemon dessert Because they are so summery and delicious, but also have a touch of fancies mixed with homemade heart.

If I’m hosting a nice dinner for friends or family at home, I often rely on my make-ahead lemon possets for simplicity, but sometimes I want to go a step further and add a pastry crust to a shareable pudding.

That’s where my classics are Lemon Tart Comes – to my classic British tea time dessert, influenced many years ago by the French tarte au citron.

I got a case of shortcrust pastry from the freezer that I blind baked ahead (or use one of the shortcuts mentioned below), then all that was left to do was a Easy 4-ingredient silky smooth filling It is tangy, tart, sweet and buttery all at the same time. heaven


Why you’ll love this easy lemon tart recipe

⭐ simple But to do so Impressive!

⭐ so delicious and fancy

⭐ can be made ahead of time


Two slices of classic lemon tart with shortcrust pastry on white plate with dessert fork, all on a blue tablecloth.

Sarah’s Notes on Pastry

A lemon tart is a smooth, citrusy and creamy filling made with a shortcrust pastry shell.

For pastries, you have a few options…

Create your own

Follow my basic shortcrust pastry recipe with step-by-step video instructions. I promise it’s not too hard.

I usually make a batch of these that I freeze, so if you’ve done that, just defrost your homemade tart cases before continuing with the rest of this recipe.

Buy pre-made pastries

You can buy shortcrust pastry in blocks, which you need to roll out to about 3mm thickness. Or you can buy ready-rolled pastry. Follow the packet’s blind baking instructions before adding your filling.

Buy a pre-made tart case

You can buy pastry that is already made into a tart shell shape.

Homemade is always nice if you have the time, but if you don’t have the option! It will still taste better than a half-homemade and whole store-bought dessert.

If you use this option, you’ll find that you don’t need as much filling as you do with this recipe. You can also use small ready-made tart cases and bake them for less time.


Lemon Tart Ingredients

Ingredients for making a lemon tart on a white surface.
  • Baked Tart Case: Either made with homemade shortcrust pastry or a pre-made one that has been baked and cooled.

For filling

  • the egg – You will need 5 large eggs for this.
  • Double cream – Heavy cream if you live in the US.
  • Castor sugar – This is finer than granulated sugar, and may be called superfine sugar if you live outside the UK.
  • lemon – We are using zest and juice from 4 lemons.
  • to arrange – Icing sugar.

How to Make Lemon Tart

A glass bowl with cream, four cracked eggs and caster sugar on the side, ready for mixing.

1. Preheat the oven and whisk the filling ingredients together until well combined, As per recipe below.

A hand pours a jug of yellow lemon mixture into a shortcrust pastry pie tart shell to make a lemon tart.

2. Pour the filling into the pastry case then bake until almost completely set. Chill before serving.


to save

in the fridge Your lemon tart should keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You will find that the pastry loses some of its crispiness if you don’t eat it straight away, but it will still be delicious.

in the freezer You can freeze any leftovers. Simply place your tart or slices in the freezer on sheets of baking paper, making sure it’s flat until completely frozen. You can then store it in a freezer bag, cling film or container for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator before enjoying again.

Recipe tips

How will you know when it is cooked?

Since we like to take the tart out of the oven while it’s still a little wobbly in the middle, it may feel like you’re removing it too soon.

Don’t worry! This is actually the perfect way to ensure that the lemon filling has the perfect texture when it cools.

What to serve with lemon tart

It is delicious on its own or served with some creme fraiche or cream. Sometimes I add a few raspberries for a pop of color.

More classic dessert recipes…

A traditional trifle in a glass dish on a white surface.

Classic Trifle

A pie dish with an apple crumble in the corner, one spoon missing, showing the apple filling and golden, crunchy topping, one spoon sticking out.

Apple Crumble {Classic Easy Recipe}

Small glasses with Eton Mess inside, strawberry on top.

Eton Mess

Top a banoffee pie, ready to serve, with a slice pre-cut.

banoffee pie

FAQs

What is the difference between a lemon tart and a lemon pie?

A lemon tart is a British classic derived from a French dessert, and has a silky and very citrusy, tart filling, whereas a lemon pie is more associated with the US, often has a meringue topping and is sweet.
Think French patisserie versus American diner.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of this recipe. Please rate the recipe using ⭐ below

Also I want love To see your cooking creations. If you want to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tummingtwins)

Cut out a slice of a lemon tart, ready to serve, on a table.

Print

Classic lemon tart

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This is homemade Lemon Tart Shortcrust pastry and an oh-so citrusy filling are simple but special. So much flavor and elegance, it’s special enough to treat guests, while easy enough to make ahead of time for convenience.
course dessert
cuisine family meal
preparation time 10 minutes
cooking time 30 minutes
total time 40 minutes
serving 12
calories 212kcal
the writer Sarah Rossi

Materials

For tort cases:

  • 1 Baked and cooled shortcrust pastry tart cases

For the filling:

  • 5 big egg
  • 150 Milli Double cream
  • 180 g Castor sugar
  • 4 lemon Zest and juice

to decorate:

  • 4 spoon Icing sugar

instructions

  • Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C fan/180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.
  • Making the filling: Whisk the filling ingredients together until well combined.
  • Prepare the pastry: Place the cooked and cooled tart case in the tin and place it on a baking sheet.
  • Pour most of the filling into the pastry cases then bake for 25-30 minutes until almost set. You want there to be a very slight wobble in the middle of the filling.
  • Cooling time: Place the tart on a cooling rack to cool completely before adding a little icing sugar on top.
  • Slice and serve.

Have you made this recipe? Click here to let us know how it went and give it a go ⭐ Rating! Your feedback helps us create more recipes that you really want.

Note

Note about the pastry: You can either use your own homemade shortcrust pastry tart cases, or buy pre-made pastry or pre-made shaped tart cases.

How to know if it is cooked or not: Since we like to take the tart out of the oven while it’s still a little wobbly in the middle, it may feel like you’re removing it too soon. Don’t worry! This is actually the perfect way to ensure that the lemon filling has the perfect texture when it cools.

Serving suggestions: Delicious on its own or served with some creme fraiche or cream. Sometimes I add a few raspberries for a pop of color.

Save: It should keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You will find that the pastry loses some of its crispiness if you don’t eat it straight away, but it will still be delicious. You can freeze any leftovers. Simply place your tart or slices in the freezer on sheets of baking paper, making sure it’s flat until completely frozen. You can then store it in a freezer bag, cling film or container for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator before enjoying again.

nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Sugars: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated fats: 4g | Trans fats: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was first published here on May 27, 2022 and was completely updated on February 26, 2026 with a new and improved recipe.

The post Classic Lemon Tart appeared first on Taming Twins.

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