Italian recipes
  1. Home
  2. Recipe types
  3. Desserts
  4. Lemon tart
Desserts

Lemon tart

⏱ 80 min🍳 45 min👤 6 pp★★★☆☆

The day that starts with a fresh and invigorating breakfast is incomparable, especially when you have a lovely homemade tart on the breakfast table with an aroma and succulence that entices the whole household to eat. How about making a lovely lemon tart, perfect for breakfast, for the kids’ morning snack or even to round off a family dinner? Its intoxicating scent will even attract your neighbours, so much so that you'll have to be careful about opening your doors and windows in case they purloin slices of your gorgeous tart as a prank. To make this tart follow the video and the step-by-step guide, both for the basic shortcrust pastry and this lemon jam tart. Are you ready to delight the gourmets in your house, young and old?

Ingredients

Nutritional values 320 kcal / serving
Protein
3g
Carbohydrates
45g
Fat
14g
Fiber
0.5g

* approximate values per serving

Information
80 minutes Total time
45 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Prepare the sweet shortcrust pastry following our basic recipe. Let it rest in the fridge for half an hour. Take a cake tin of a size that best suits you and roll out the pastry in the bottom to a thickness of a little less than 1cm. With the remaining pastry make some strips that you put around the bottom to make a little edging. Spread the lemon jam over the bottom, and with the remaining pastry make some decorative strips, cut with a pastry cutter, and lay them over the jam. Once decorated, place it in the oven at 180°C for 45 min. Serve at room temperature.

Tips
Have you ever inadvertently caramelised the jam when making a tart? To avoid this problem, add a pinch of flour to the jam before spreading it on the pastry dough.
Trivia
According to legend, the origin of the tart is to be found in a mythological event whereby the siren Parthenope was rejected in love by Ulysses: she was given some ingredients by the people, and then offered them to the gods. The latter made them into a tart which was then given back as a gift to the people who had originally donated the ingredients.

Step by step

Lemon tart
Lemon tart
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

LEMON TART with lemon jam

A delicious variant of the classic lemon tart is the one made with lemon jam, which gives the dessert an intense and fragrant flavor. To make it, start by preparing the shortcrust pastry following your basic recipe. Once the pastry is ready and has rested in the refrigerator, roll it out in a tart pan, creating a base about one centimeter thick. Use the lemon jam to fill the tart, which will add a touch of freshness and acidity to the dessert. The strips of shortcrust pastry that decorate the surface not only make the tart beautiful to look at but also add an irresistible crunch. This preparation is perfect for an afternoon snack or a dessert after dinner, capable of winning over anyone's palate.

LEMON TART Sicilian style

The Sicilian lemon tart is a specialty of the island's culinary tradition, characterized by a unique flavor thanks to the use of fresh and fragrant lemons. To make it, you can opt for a base of shortcrust pastry enriched with chopped almonds, which gives a particular texture and an unmistakable aroma. The filling, in addition to the jam, can also include a mix of lemon juice and grated zest, to further enhance the citrus flavor. This variant is ideal for those who want a dessert that encapsulates the essence of the sun and Sicilian freshness, perfect to serve on special occasions or during a warm summer day.

LEMON TART light without butter

For those looking for a lighter version of the lemon tart, the light recipe without butter is an excellent alternative. In this preparation, the shortcrust pastry is made using seed oil instead of butter, while still maintaining a crumbly and delicious texture. Additionally, you can reduce the amount of sugar and opt for a lemon jam without added sugars, for a healthier yet still flavorful dessert. This tart is perfect for those on a diet or for anyone who simply wants to enjoy a lower-calorie dessert without sacrificing taste. An excellent choice for a light snack or a post-meal dessert that is good for both the palate and the waistline.

LEMON TART: benefits of lemon and calories

Lemon is an ingredient rich in health benefits. It is known for its antioxidant properties, which help combat free radicals, and for its high vitamin C content, essential for the immune system. Additionally, lemon aids digestion and can help maintain healthy and radiant skin. A serving of lemon tart provides about 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the size of the slice. By choosing to use fresh and high-quality ingredients, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious dessert that also offers valuable nutrients.

Can you freeze the LEMON TART?

The answer is yes, the lemon tart can be successfully frozen. It is advisable to freeze it before it is filled, to preserve its texture and flavor. Once the shortcrust pastry base is baked and completely cooled, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container suitable for freezing. This way, it can be kept for up to three months. When you want to enjoy it, simply let it thaw at room temperature and then fill it with the lemon jam. This way, you will always have a delicious dessert ready for any occasion!