Mini Lemon Tarts
Introduction
Mini Lemon Tarts are the epitome of a sunny, crowd-pleasing dessert—refreshing, zesty, and delightfully bite-sized. Their balance of tangy lemon curd and sweet, buttery crust makes them perfect for celebrations, afternoon teas, or anytime you crave a pop of citrus brightness. These tarts are as beautiful as they are delicious, making them a go-to treat for impressing guests or satisfying your own sweet tooth.
What Makes Mini Lemon Tarts Irresistible
This recipe wins over everyone with its vibrant lemon flavor and crisp, shortbread-like crust. The luscious filling uses freshly-squeezed lemon juice for authentic citrus tang, while the petite size ensures every serving feels special. Their portable nature makes them ideal for picnics, potlucks, and dessert tables, ensuring there’s never a crumb left behind.
The Secret to a Perfect Tart Shell
A tender, melt-in-your-mouth shell lays the foundation for each mini tart. Mixing cold butter evenly into flour yields a crust that’s the perfect blend of crumbly and crisp. To achieve uniformly thin, professional-looking tart shells, use a reliable baking sheet lined with the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. This guarantees easy tart removal and prevents burning, keeping your shells golden and beautiful.
If you want to make swift work of zesting your lemons and prepping ingredients, a compact multi-tasking tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can speed up the process, especially if you’re making a large batch.
Whipping Up Tangy Lemon Curd
The heart of these mini tarts lies in their ultra-smooth, tangy lemon curd. For the silkiest result, blend the curd ingredients using a high-powered appliance like the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender. This ensures there are no lumps and that the filling comes out creamy after gentle cooking.
When thickening the curd on the stovetop, using the right quality skillet—such as the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch—helps prevent sticking and makes cleaning up a breeze.
Assembly and Serving Tips
After cooling and setting, fill each tart shell with the vibrant lemon curd and chill until it’s time to serve. For an extra touch of freshness, top with berries or edible flowers. These tarts are the perfect size for finger-friendly party desserts—no forks required!
To serve at an outdoor event or large gathering, line your table with a disposable, hassle-free solution like the Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White for easy cleanup—especially convenient when you expect plenty of sticky fingers reaching for more!
Nutritional Information and Yield
This recipe makes about 18 mini lemon tarts. Each tart contains approximately 120–150 calories, depending on the finishing toppings and the thickness of your crust. Their manageable portion size makes them a lighter dessert option with all the sweet, citrusy punch.
Mini Lemon Tarts (Recap)
Mini Lemon Tarts deliver maximum flavor in a bite-sized package: buttery crusts, vibrant citrus curd, and an elegant look for any occasion. Their irresistible balance of sweet and tangy ensures these tarts will disappear quickly no matter where you serve them.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy release.
- In a food processor or bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and pulse or rub with fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the egg yolk and cold water until the dough just comes together. Press tablespoon-sized portions into mini muffin tins to form tart shells.
- Prick the bottoms with a fork. Bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool in the pan, then gently remove.
- For the lemon curd: In the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, blend eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth. Pour into a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly 5–7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until glossy.
- Spoon the lemon curd into the cooled shells. Chill 1 hour, or until set.
- Before serving, garnish with fresh berries or edible flowers. Lay out your tarts on a table protected by the Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White for a stress-free event.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)
