Classic French Lemon Tart Recipe

By Rebecca Franklin

Updated 10/23/18

Lemon Tart
GrenouilleFilms/E+/Getty Images
Ratings (48)
  • Total: 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Prep: 2 hrs
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yield: 8 to 10 Servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
333 Calories
23g Fat
24g Carbs
8g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10 Servings
Amount per serving
Calories 333
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 13g 64%
Cholesterol 162mg 54%
Sodium 192mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 8g
Calcium 51mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This classic French lemon tart is the quintessential French tart, found at patisseries and cafes year-round. Cool, sharp lemon filling contrasts nicely with the flaky, slightly sweet pastry. A little dollop of Chantilly cream served with the dessert makes the ideal treat.

The tart is delicious at any time and also makes a great dessert as well as with a cup of coffee. 

Ingredients

  • For the Pastry:
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 7 tablespoons butter (cold)
  • 3 tablespoons water (cold)
  • For the Lemon Filling:
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup crème fraiche (or sour cream)
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons lemon zest

Steps to Make It

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this French lemon tart is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and baking.

Make the Pastry

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt.

  3. Using a pastry cutter, large-tined fork, or a food processor on pulse setting, cut the chilled butter into the flour until it resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized pieces of butter still visible.

  4. Sprinkle the cold water onto the mixture and toss gently a few times, just until it forms a ball that holds together.

  5. Separate the dough into two balls, flatten slightly into thick disk shapes, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for several hours before working with it.

  6. Preheat an oven to 375 F.

  7. Roll and trim the dough to make a circle large enough to fit a 10-inch fluted tart pan.

  8. Fit the circle into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.

  9. Line the dough with parchment paper and add pie weights or dried beans.

  10. Bake it for 15 minutes.

  11. Remove the pie weights and bake the shell for an additional 5 minutes. Set aside the pastry shell, still in the tart pan, to cool.

Make the Lemon Filling

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a double boiler or a medium-size saucepan, set a large pan of simmering water. In the top part of the double boiler, stir together 8 tablespoons butter and the crème fraiche. Once this mixture is thoroughly combined, set it aside.

  3. In a separate pan set over the double boiler, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar.

  4. Stir the lemon juice into the mixture and cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.

  5. Add the lemon zest and butter-crème fraiche mixture to the eggs and cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.

  6. Pour the lemon filling into the prepared pastry. 

  7. Bake it for 25 to 30 minutes until it turns golden brown and the filling is set.

  8. Allow the tart to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

  9. Serve at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator before serving.