Lemon tart
{{short description|Pastry dessert dish with lemon flavored filling}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Lemon tart
| image = Lemon tart - star5112.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = A served portion of Lemon tart
| alternate_name =
| country = France
| region =
| creator =
| course =
| type = Tart
| served =
| main_ingredient = Pastry shell, lemon paste
| variations =
| calories =
| other =
}}
A lemon tart ({{langx|fr|tarte au citron}}) is a French dessert dish, a variety of tart.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-09 |title=Classic French Lemon Tart (Tarte au Citron) - Simple Step-By-Step Recipe |url=https://www.oursweetadventures.com/french-lemon-tart-tarte-au-citron/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |language=en-US}} It has a pastry shell with a lemon flavored filling.{{Cite web |last=Mirlene |date=2022-06-16 |title=Lemon Tart |url=https://www.savorythoughts.com/lemon-tart/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Savory Thoughts |language=en-US}}
In the United Kingdom, lemon tart consists of a pastry case (often made in a fluted tart tin) containing a baked lemon custard (usually composed of eggs, sugar, lemon juice and cream). Usually recipes include blind-baking before adding the custard. Sometimes, the tart is dusted with icing sugar prior to serving.{{cite web|url=http://www.raymondblanc.com/recipes/lemon-tart/|title=Lemon Tart|publisher=|accessdate=4 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/tarte_au_citron_94480|title=BBC - Food - Recipes : Tarte au citron|publisher=|accessdate=4 January 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/tarts-and-flans/thick-lemon-tart|title=Thick Lemon Tart|date=November 9, 2015|website=Delia Online}}{{cite web|url=http://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/great-british-bake-off-recipes/classic-lemon-tart|title=Mary Berry|publisher=|accessdate=4 January 2015}}
Alternatively, the lemon filling can be cooked in a saucepan and then added to the baked pastry case.{{cite web|url=http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/recipes/recipe_directory/h/heston_s_lemon_tart.html|title=Heston's Lemon tart|author=Waitrose Limited|publisher=|accessdate=4 January 2015|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123183311/https://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/recipes/recipe_directory/h/heston_s_lemon_tart.html|url-status=dead}}
History
The first lemon tart recipes began to emerge in the 18th century, when lemon-based tarts appeared in French cookbooks.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Chef Olivia |date=2024-10-25 |title=The History of Lemon Tart - RecipStory |url=https://www.recipstory.com/the-history-of-lemon-tart/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |language=en-US}} It was in 18th- and 19th-century France that the Tarte au Citron evolved into its modern form. French pastry chefs perfected the pairing of pâte sucrée (sweet shortcrust pastry) with a smooth lemon curd filling, resulting in the elegant and minimalist dessert recognized today.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Baking Heritage |date=2025-03-13 |title=The Origins and History of Tarte au Citron - Baking History {{!}} Baking Heritage |url=https://bakingheritage.com/history/the-origins-and-history-of-tarte-au-citron |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=bakingheritage.com |language=en}} Contrary to popular belief, the classic French tarte au citron does not traditionally include a meringue topping. While both meringue-topped and plain versions can be found in French pâtisseries today—with the former often favored for its visual appeal—the original tarte au citron is served without meringue.{{Cite web |last=Audrey |date=2019-03-11 |title=Classic French Lemon Tart (Tarte au Citron) |url=https://www.pardonyourfrench.com/classic-french-lemon-tart-tarte-au-citron/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Pardon Your French |language=en-US}}
Similar desserts
A dessert very similar to the lemon tart is the Shaker lemon pie, usually served for dessert, made with a crust usually made of shortcrust pastry and lemon custard filling. The lemon pie is prepared with a bottom pie crust. Distinct from the Shaker lemon pie is the lemon meringue pie, the latter which has no upper crust but meringue on top instead.
See also
- {{annotated link|Lemon bar}}
- {{annotated link|List of lemon dishes and drinks}}
- {{annotated link|Lemon meringue pie}}
- {{annotated link|Shaker lemon pie}}
- {{annotated link|Key lime pie}}
- {{portal-inline|Food}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commonscat-inline|Lemon tarts}}
{{Lemon dishes}}
{{dessert-stub}}