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A spatula lifting a slice of lemon tart from a platter.
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5 from 2 votes

Lemon Tart

This delicious Lemon Tart has a cookie-like shortbread crust with a sweet and slightly tart lemon filling. A truly special dessert that is easier than pie!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Cooling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Servings: 8
Calories: 433kcal

Ingredients

Lemon Filling

  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ¼ cup lemon juice about 2 lemons (I use Meyer lemons)

Crust

  • ½ cup slivered almonds
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • ½ cup cold butter cubed

Garnish

  • Powdered sugar
  • Fresh raspberries optional

Instructions

  • Allow the melted butter and eggs for the lemon filling to stand at room temperature while you prepare the crust.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. with a rack in the bottom third of the oven (one position down from center). Lightly coat a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray (on the removable bottom only).

Make the Tart Crust

  • In a food processor, pulse the almonds with the granulated sugar until finely ground. Add the flour, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and cold cubed butter and process until the mixture comes together (it takes a little while, but it will come together in almost a ball). Pull the dough out of the food processor and work into a ball with your hands.
  • Set the ball of dough down in the center of the prepared tart pan. Pat the dough across the bottom and up the sides of the fluted edge of the pan so it is flush with the top edges of the pan. Pat the dough with your hands to pat it down into an even thickness across the bottom.

Make the Lemon Filling

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add the cooled melted butter and whisk vigorously for about a minute, until smooth.

Assemble and Bake the Tart

  • Place the tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet and pour the lemon filling into the crust. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and mostly set (very slight jiggle is ok). If the edges of the crust are getting too brown, carefully cover the edges of the crust with a pie crust shield. Alternately, coat a sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray and lightly set it over the top for the remainder of the baking time. Remove from the oven and transfer the tart pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once completely cooled, remove the outer edge of the tart pan then slide the tart off the base and on to a serving platter (don’t do until completely cooled). It can help to slide a very thin spatula (like an offset spatula) between the crust and metal bottom to help nudge it off.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle the surface of the tart with powdered sugar. Serve with fresh raspberries, if desired.
  • Leftovers should be refrigerated.

Notes

Storage
  • Refrigerate - The Lemon Tart filling contains eggs so it should be refrigerated. Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Freeze - Cover the completely cooled tart tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 622IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg