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Easy Lemon Curd Tartlets for Mother's Day
Daniel Hayes

Easy Lemon Curd Tartlets for Mother's Day

Bright and tangy homemade lemon curd nestled in crisp buttery tartlet shells. The perfect easy yet impressive dessert for Mother's Day with silky texture and fresh citrus flavor.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 tartlets
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 230

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tbsp ice water
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed

Equipment

  • 12 mini tartlet pans or muffin tin For individual shells
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pie weights or dried beans For blind baking
  • Food processor (optional) For quick dough
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Fine Mesh Strainer For smooth curd
  • Zester and lemon juicer

Method
 

  1. In a food processor or by hand, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and pulse or cut in until crumbly. Mix in egg yolk and ice water until dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on floured surface. Cut circles and press gently into 12 mini tartlet pans or muffin tin cups. Prick bottoms with fork.
  3. Line shells with parchment or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Blind bake 15-18 minutes until pale golden. Remove weights and bake 2-3 minutes more for crisp bottoms. Cool completely on wire rack.
  4. In a medium saucepan, whisk egg yolks, granulated sugar, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and salt until combined.
  5. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 8-10 minutes). Do not boil.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in cubed butter one piece at a time until fully melted and glossy. Strain through fine mesh sieve for ultra-smooth texture.
  7. Spoon or pipe cooled lemon curd into cooled tartlet shells, filling nearly to the top. Smooth surfaces.
  8. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until curd is fully set. Garnish with fresh berries and powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Chill thoroughly for best set. Shells and curd can be made 1-2 days ahead. Garnish with fresh berries and powdered sugar just before serving for stunning presentation.