29 Mar 2025
Cook time 30 min
Prep time 20 min
Ingredients:
1.50 cups all-purpose white wheat flour
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup lime juice
1/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
Lemon & lime curd tarts are a delightful and zesty dessert that combines the bright and tangy flavors of lemon and lime with a rich, buttery crust. Perfect for any occasion, these tarts are both refreshing and indulgent, offering a burst of citrus in every bite.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Tart Dough:
1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour (190g) and powdered sugar (30g).
2. Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed butter (110g) to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small pea-sized bits of butter.
3. Add water: Sprinkle 1 tbsp of cold water over the mixture. Stir with a fork until the dough begins to come together. Add a small amount of additional water if necessary, but avoid making the dough too wet.
4. Form and chill the dough: Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat and Prepare Ramekins:
1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease tart pans: Lightly grease tart pans or ramekins.
3. Roll and Bake Tart Shells:
1. Roll the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles slightly larger than your tart pans.
2. Fit into pans: Gently press the dough circles into the prepared tart pans, trimming any excess dough from the edges.
3. Blind bake: Line each tart shell with a piece of parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden. Remove the parchment and weights, then bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned. Allow to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Lemon & Lime Curd:
1. Mix wet ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice (50g), lime juice (72g), granulated sugar (50g), and eggs (200g) until well combined.
2. Cook the curd: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan to prevent the eggs from curdling.
3. Thicken the curd: Cook until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it come to a boil.
4. Strain and cool: Remove the curd from heat and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any cooked egg bits. Let it cool slightly.
5. Assemble the Tarts:
1. Fill the shells: Once the tart shells are completely cooled, spoon or pour the cooled lemon and lime curd into each shell, filling them to the top.
2. Chill: Refrigerate the filled tarts for at least 1 hour to allow the curd to set.
6. Serve:
1. Garnish: Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or garnish with thin slices of lemon or lime before serving.
2. Enjoy: Serve chilled and enjoy your Lemon & Lime Curd Tarts!
Tips:
- Make sure to keep the butter cold when making the crust to achieve a flaky texture.
- Use fresh lemon and lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice can sometimes be too harsh or bitter.
- Whisk the curd constantly while cooking to prevent it from curdling and to ensure a smooth texture.
- If you prefer a sweeter curd, you can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
- Let the curd cool completely before filling the tart shells to ensure they don't become soggy.
- For a decorative touch, consider garnishing the tarts with thin slices of lemon or lime, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
Lemon & lime curd tarts are a perfect treat to brighten up any meal. Their tangy and sweet flavor, combined with the buttery crust, makes them an irresistible dessert. Whether for a special occasion or just a regular day, these tarts are sure to impress your family and friends.