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Lemon Cream Tart

17/11/2023

The lemon cream tart is a classic Italian pastry dessert, with a shortcrust pastry base and a filling of aromatic and fresh lemon cream. Here’s a recipe to make it.

Ingredients

  • For the shortcrust pastry:

    • 300g of type 00 flour
    • 150g of butter at room temperature
    • 120g of powdered sugar
    • 1 whole egg and 1 yolk
    • Grated zest of 1 lemon
    • A pinch of salt

  • For the lemon cream:

    • 4 egg yolks
    • 100g of sugar
    • 30g of cornstarch (cornflour)
    • 250ml of lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons, depending on the size)
    • Grated zest of 2 lemons
    • 30g of butter
    • 250ml of whole milk

Preparation

  1. Shortcrust pastry: in a bowl, mix the flour with the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the butter in pieces and work with the fingertips until you get a sandy mixture. Incorporate the whole egg and yolk, and the lemon zest, then quickly knead until you form a ball. Wrap in cling film and let rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Lemon cream: in a saucepan, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until you get a light and fluffy mixture. Add the cornstarch and continue beating, then grate the lemon zest and squeeze the juice, straining it. Pour the juice and grated zest into the mixture of yolks and transfer to medium heat. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. When the cream starts to thicken, remove from the heat and add the butter, mix until it has melted and let cool.
  3. Roll out the shortcrust pastry into a thin layer on a floured surface and line a previously buttered and floured tart mold with it. Prick the bottom with the tines of a fork.
  4. Pour the lemon cream onto the shortcrust pastry base and level with a spatula.
  5. Bake the tart in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cream has set.
  6. Allow to cool completely before removing from the mold and serving.

Curiosity

The lemon cream tart is a versatile dessert that can be enriched with fresh fruit or meringue, for an additional touch of flavor and texture. Moreover, lemons, rich in vitamin C, give the dessert a fresh aroma and a slightly tart note, balancing the sweetness of the cream and the pastry.

I hope you have fun preparing this delicious tart and bon appétit!

Lemon Cream Tart