Lemon tart is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, offering a refreshing burst of citrus in every bite. With its buttery, flaky crust and smooth, tangy lemon filling, it’s an irresistible dessert that’s both elegant and easy to make. Whether you’re serving it at a dinner party or enjoying a slice with your afternoon tea, lemon tart brings a little sunshine to any occasion.
The crust is key to a great and crunchy tart. A buttery, shortcrust pastry adds a delicate crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth lemon filling. Once baked to a golden perfection, the crust provides the perfect base to hold the vibrant lemon custard. The tartness of fresh lemon juice and the richness of eggs and cream combine to create a silky filling that’s sweetened just enough to balance the citrus zing.
The filling is made by whisking together egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. A little bit of cornstarch or flour helps thicken the custard, while butter makes it velvety smooth. Once poured into the baked shell, the tart bakes briefly, just enough to set the filling into a custard-like consistency without losing the brightness of the lemon.
For an extra touch, you can garnish the tart with a dusting of powdered sugar, a few lemon zest curls, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries also add a pop of color and flavor that pairs perfectly with the lemon notes.
Lemon tart is a timeless French dessert that combines the simplicity of fresh ingredients with a refined, yet comforting, flavor. It’s refreshing without being overly sweet, making it a perfect way to end a meal. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply because you’re craving something citrusy, this lemon tart is sure to delight.

Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and diced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons ice water
- 3/4 cup sugar for filling
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and dice butter. Mix until resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water and mix until dough forms.
- Press dough into a 9-inch tart pan and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
- In a saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually stir in water until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Whisk egg yolks and stir into the mixture. Return to heat, cook while stirring until thick. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and zest.
- Pour filling into baked crust. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Let the tart cool before serving.
I tried making this, but my filling was too runny. I don’t know if I messed up or what. Any tips?
This lemon tart is amazing! The filling turned out perfectly tangy and the crust was flaky. Definitely a keeper!
Luv it! So refreshing and bright, made it for brunch and everyone asked for seconds.
Wasn’t sure about the cornstarch part… does it even need that?
This lemon tart is devine! Perfect tang and sweetness, my whole family loves it!
Too much work for a tart. I just want something easy! 😩
Why do you add cornstarch? Isn’t it just gonna make it more chewy? Just stick to the egg yolks, right?
I dunno, but I just use egg yolks and it works fine. Cornstarch sounds fancy but maybe pointless? 🤷♂️
Cornstarch actually helps thicken the filling without making it chewy. It gives a nice texture. Try it, you won’t regret!
Why does it have cornstarch? Isn’t that for pudding? This is not how my grandma made it, but it was still good!
Delicious! I love lemon desserts and this one hits the spot. Instructions were clear and easy to follow.
So glad you liked it! Lemon desserts are the best. 🍋
I tried making this, but my tart was so runny. I must’ve done something wrong. Maybe too much water? Ugh.
It was okay, but too sour for my taste. I think I messed up with the lemon juice, maybe less next time.
Lemon tart? More like lemon disaster! I burnt the crust and the filling was too runny. Not my best day in the kitchen.
Do I really need to let it cool? I ate it warm 🤷♂️.
Yummy!! I love lemon everything. This recipe is so easy, I made it in no time. Thanks!!!
My uncle’s neighbor’s sister makes the best lemon tart, and this one ain’t it. Sorry!
This was the best! I even brought some to my neighbors. They loved it too!
Followed the steps pretty much verbatim. I was nervous about the cornstarch/egg yolk ratio, but it thickened well. The tart is tart without being harsh. Great recipe.
This lemon tart recipe is AMAZING! The acidity of the lemon mixed with the sweet crust is just perfect. I’m making this for a family gathering. Can’t wait!
That sounds delicious! I love lemon desserts, and a tart is always a crowd-pleaser. Hope your family loves it as much as you do!
Not sure if lemon and sugar go well together. Isn’t it sour? But who knows, maybe it’ll surprise me. I might try it.
Eh, it was ok. I think I prefer chocolate desserts. 🍫
Who eats lemon tart anyway? Not for me!
Not everyone likes it, but I think it’s a classic! Have you tried it with whipped cream?
Lemon tart is amazing! It’s sweet and tangy, perfect for summer. I love it!
This Lemon Tart is amazing! Zesty and sweet, just perfect for my family gathering. Thank you so much!
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser at my gatherings too! 🍋
I don’t know, it sounds too sweet. Aren’t lemon tarts supposed to be more tart? 🤔
Can someone explain why you need that much sugar? Seems excessive…
Totally delish! 😍 I might try adding strawberries next time for a twist.
Loved it! Super easy to follow, and the flavor is absolutely delightful. Perfect balance of sweet and sour!
This lemon tart is just divine! The flavors really pop, and it’s so refreshing. Will definitely make it again!
I totally agree! This lemon tart is the best, my family loves it too! 🍋
I love lemon tarts! I thought it’d be hard to make but this was pretty straightforward. Will keep this recipe!
So good!!
Easy peasy! My family loved it! I used bottled lemon juice (shhhh).
The lemon tart turned out perfect! I don’t even like lemon things much but this wowed me. 😋
So glad you liked it! Lemon tart is such a delightful dessert, even for non-lemon lovers. 🍋
This is the best lemon tart I’ve done. The texture is smooth like custard, and the crust doesn’t get soggy. 10/10 would bake again.
I tried making this last night and it was super runny! What did I do wrong?
I messed up the dough, it was too crumbly. Maybe it’s the butter, idk. 😕
Tart ok, but pretty sour! Next time I’ll add more sugar. 🤷♂️
Lemon juice in baking? Is that even safe? 🤨
Super simple! But next time, I will add more sugar to the filling for sweetness.
This is NaTurel! Lemons and sugar are good for you. Great recipe!
Easy to make, but it didnt set properly for me… I think I might have messed up somewhere. 🙁
Made it for family and everyone went back for seconds. I did use a little extra lemon zest because I’m obsessed with citrus.
Meh, I didn’t like the crust. Too dry and crumbly. I prefer a softer pie crust.
I totally get your point! The crust can make or break a tart. Maybe try a different recipe next time? You might find a softer one!
I followed this recipe but my tart turned out runny. Did I do something wrong? 🤔
Yummy! Finally, a tart that’s not too sweet. My kids loved it! Thanks for sharing!
I dunno, the method seems complicated, isn’t there a simpler way to make a tart? Like premade crust?
I totally get you! Using a premade crust would save so much time! But the homemade one has a special taste. Maybe try both and see what you like more!
But then it’s not really a homemade tart, is it? You gotta put in some effort for that deliciousness! 😄
This lemon tart was absolutely delicious! Tangy and sweet just like I love it! ❤️
Tasted amazing but took me forever to make. Who has time for this?
The crust was great, but 10-12 minutes felt short for my oven. I think next time I’ll bake it a touch longer before adding filling. Otherwise good lemon flavor.
The egg yolk step scared me, but the tart turned out pretty good! But my friend said it looks like a pizza.
I think it’s awesome that you tried it! And who cares if it looks like a pizza? As long as it tastes good!
I found this recipe way too sweet for my taste. I would reduce the sugar next time.
Easy to make! I substituted with lime juice as didn’t have lemons. Still turned out good!
Absolutely delicious! This lemon tart is the best dessert I’ve made in a long time!
I can’t even… This tart is lemony goodness! 10/10 would eat again!
Lemon tart? More like lemon frart! 😂 Just kidding, it was good, but I’m not a big fan of lemon. Still, a decent try.
Lemon? Yuck! Who wants a dessert that taste like cleaning supplies?
Lemon adds such a bright flavor! Can’t wait to try this tart!
Why is everyone raving? This is just a tart with lemon. Meh.
Not sure why but my dough was crumbly and wouldn’t really come together. I added an extra splash of ice water and it finally worked. Filling turned out fine though.
Yum! Glorious tart! My fam thinks I’m a pro chef now. 😂
I tried to make this but the filling was too runny. What did I do wrong? Not sure if I will try again.
My filling was a bit lumpy at first until I whisked longer. After that it thickened nicely. Still tasted amazing.
This turned out so bright and tangy—exactly what I wanted. The crust was buttery and crisp, and the filling set nicely after cooling. Will definitely make again!
So glad it hit that bright, tangy spot! 😊 The crisp, buttery crust + filling setting after cooling is exactly the goal with this one. Thanks for sharing!
This lemon tart was a hit at my family gathering! I added a bit more lemon zest for extra flavor. Definitely making this again!
Best lemon tart recipe ever!! Simple and tasty. My kids loved it too!
I tried making this but the mixture didn’t thicken. What went wrong? Maybe I did something wrong?
I completely burned mine. Maybe my oven is too hot? Any tips?
Why do you use cornstarch? Can I just put more flour? I ain’t got none.
I had to slap some whipped cream on it because it was kinda sour for my taste. But overall, not bad.
This is the best lemon tart recipe ever! So tangy and perfect!
I’m skeptical about using cornstarch with egg yolks—sounds like it could get weird. But honestly, it was smooth. Still, I’d lower the cook time after thickening to prevent over-thickening.
So easy to follow! My kids helped me and they had a blast! 😍
It came out way too sour! I thought lemon was supposed to be sweet! Not sure if I did something wrong.
This lemon tart turned out amazing! The balance of sweet and tart is perfect. Will definitely make again!
Lemon tart! Yum! Simple and tasty! Thanks for the recipe! 👍
Honestly, the measurements are a little weird: 1/4 cup cornstarch with only 3/4 cup water made me nervous. It still thickened, but next time I’ll double-check ratios.
Best recipe ever! Made it twice in a week. Even my picky aunt loved it. 😍
Wow, that’s awesome! I’m definitely trying this recipe for my next family gathering. 😄
Pretty easy and smells amazing. I love that it doesn’t require blind-baking forever. Cooling is key—mine was runny when served immediately, then set after a bit.
Doesn’t lemon juice make it sour? I prefer sweet pastries, this recipe seems odd…
Made this for a weekend dessert and it turned out super bright and tangy. The crust was buttery and not too sweet—exactly what I wanted.
Hmm “super bright and tangy” sounds great but I’m wondering—350°F for only 15 minutes for the filling? Mine got kinda runny when I tried it. Maybe I undercooked the custard part.
Yes!! That bright tangy lemon flavor is the best part. Did you use fresh zest too, or just juice? My last one was more sharp than I expected but still yummy.
Lemon tart tastes good, but its not real tart if it dont have meringue on top! Just sayin.
Why would anyone use fresh lemons when there’s lemon juice in a bottle? Seems silly to me.
Using fresh lemons makes a big difference in flavor! Bottled stuff just doesn’t compare, trust me.
Why bother? Bottled lemon juice is good enough for me. Don’t see the hype over fresh ones.
I dunno, I followed everything but it didn’t come out like the picture. Not bad, just not great. 🤔
I didn’t have cornstarch, so I used flour instead. Still turned out pretty good, but not sure if it was correct.
Followed the recipe step by step but mine did not thicken 🙁. What did I do wrong?