12 Best Lemon Tart Variations

Classic French Lemon Tart

A timeless dessert that perfectly balances tartness and sweetness, creating a refreshing and delightful finish to any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the tart crust by mixing flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and salt until it forms a dough. Press into a tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. For the filling, whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream until smooth.
3. Pour into the pre-baked crust and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool before serving.

Lemon and Lavender Tart

A sophisticated twist on the classic, this lemon and lavender tart offers a floral aroma that pairs beautifully with the citrus profile.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and lavender to form the dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour filling into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Allow to cool, and serve garnished with lavender sprigs.

Lemon Basil Tart

This variation incorporates fresh basil to add an unexpected herbal note to the beloved lemon tart.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Blend flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and finely chopped basil to form dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Combine lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Lemon Meringue Tart

A delightful combination of tangy lemon filling topped with fluffy, golden meringue.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the crust by mixing flour, butter, powdered sugar, and egg yolk. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. For the filling, whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, egg yolks, and cream.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20 minutes until just set.
4. Whip egg whites and a pinch of sugar into stiff peaks. Spread over tart and brown under a broiler.

Lemon Thyme Tart

This recipe infuses your tart with aromatic thyme, complementing the lemon flavor remarkably.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and thyme to form a dough. Press into a tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool before serving, adorned with thyme sprigs.

Lemon and White Chocolate Tart

This luscious tart incorporates the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, balancing the tart lemon perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, and egg yolk to make dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Melt white chocolate and mix with lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool before serving, optionally drizzled with more melted white chocolate.

Lemon Pistachio Tart

Pistachios add a nutty crunch and vibrant color to this beautiful lemon tart variation.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and pistachios to form dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Let cool before serving, garnished with extra pistachios.

Lemon Coconut Tart

This tropical-inspired tart will whisk you away to paradise with its combination of lemon and coconut flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and coconut to form dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and coconut cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Let cool before serving, topped with toasted coconut.

Lemon Blueberry Tart

Adding blueberries to a classic lemon tart provides a burst of color and flavor, perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the crust by mixing flour, butter, powdered sugar, and egg yolk. Press into a tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust, sprinkle blueberries on top, and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool before serving with extra berries on the side.

Lemon and Honey Tart

This tart variation uses honey to add a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with fresh lemon.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, butter, and honey to form dough. Press into tart pan and bake for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and cream for the filling.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
4. Cool before serving, drizzled with additional honey.