This Lemon Cream Tart is foolproof and perfect for warm weather — buttery press-in crust, bright creamy lemon filling that doesn’t melt, and an elegant finish that looks bakery-level but takes less than an hour to make.
Keyword: La Madeleine Lemon Tart ingredients, Lemon Cream Tart, Lemon cream tart condensed milk, Lemon curd cream tart, No bake lemon tart filling, Perfect lemon tart, Tartine lemon cream tart
Prep Time: 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 25 minutesminutes
Chill Time: 3 hourshours
Total Time: 3 hourshours50 minutesminutes
Servings: 9slices
Calories: 390kcal
Cost: $9
Equipment
1 9-inch tart pan (Makes unmolding easy and clean)
1 Medium saucepan (Prevents scorching while cooking filling)
1 Whisk (Needed for smooth custard texture)
1 Fine-mesh strainer (Removes cooked egg bits)
1 Microplane or zester (For fresh lemon zest)
1 Mixing bowl (For combining crust ingredients)
Ingredients
Tart Crust
1 ¼cupsAll-purpose flour- Spoon and level for accuracy
½cupUnsalted butter- Cold, cut into small cubes
⅓cupPowdered sugar- Sifted
¼teaspoonSalt- Enhances flavor
1largeEgg yolk- Helps bind dough
1tablespoonCold water- Add only as needed
Lemon Cream Filling
3–4wholeFresh lemons- Zested and juiced (~¾ cup juice)
¾cupGranulated sugar- Adjust to taste
2largeEggs- Whole
2largeEgg yolks- Adds richness
2tablespoonCornstarch- Helps thicken filling
¼teaspoonSalt- Balances flavor
6tablespoonUnsalted butter- Add one piece at a time
¼cupHeavy cream- Adds smoothness
Topping
1cupWhipped cream- Sweetened to taste
Fresh lemon slices- Optional for garnish
Powdered sugar- For dusting
Instructions
Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until sandy. Add yolk and water just until dough forms. Press into tart pan, prick bottom, freeze 15 min, then bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Whisk sugar, eggs, yolks, and cornstarch in saucepan. Add lemon juice, zest, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick like pudding, about 8–10 minutes.
Remove from heat, whisk in butter piece by piece, then add heavy cream. Strain through mesh sieve, cover with plastic wrap touching surface, and cool 30 minutes.
Pour cooled lemon filling into baked crust and smooth top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
Before serving, top with whipped cream, lemon slices, and dust with powdered sugar. Keep tart cold until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.