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With a buttery, press-in crust and crumb topping (made from the same dough) and an easy lemon curd filling, this heavenly Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart is beyond delicious!
I'm pretty sure that this Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart is going to be my "go-to" recipe this year for spring entertaining. I say "pretty sure" because there's another recipe coming up with lemon curd (next week!), an easy lemon curd poppy seed cake, that could also be a rival. My husband is beyond crazy about this lemon curd tart but my granddaughter, Emmy, took the first bite of the poppy seed cake and declared "This is going to be my birthday cake!" (She's extremely particular about her birthday cake, usually deciding in December or January exactly what kind of cake she wants for a March birthday!) Such a dilemma; maybe they both will have to go on the "go-to" list!
The wonderful thing is that both of these recipes utilize our Ridiculously Easy Microwave Lemon Curd.
I shared the delicious lemon curd recipe in our last post and I know (from emails and comments) that some of you have already tried it. One email I received within just an hour or two of posting the recipe made me smile:
I made the curd right away and it is cooling now. However, I can't help sampling while it is on my cooling rack. Sooooo delicious!
Another was from halfway around the world:
Hello from Moorreesburg Cape Town South Africa,
Thank you for your always awesome recipes.
I was gifted a box of lemons and made Lemon Atchar but had half left. Needless to say I was absolutely delighted when I received your email containing a microwave version of Lemon Curd, I immediately tried it and what a HIT!!
Other than the bowl it requires to make the lemon curd, this Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart is a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe with just a few simple ingredients. The shortbread dough, made from butter, sugar and flour, is used for the press-in crust as well as the delicious crumb topping. Although I don't mind getting my rolling pin out for holiday or special occasion cookies, I love a press-in crust for a quick, easy dessert.
This Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart truly is a quick and easy dessert but, at the same time, it tastes like it came from a fine bakeshop. With a crisp, shortbread crust, a silky smooth lemony filling and a mound of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crumbs, this sweet confection is about as good as it comes. There's a scoop of almond flour in the crust/crumb mixture that gives it, what I call, that really "fine" European flavor.
One last thing. This dessert is amazing on its own. It's crazy delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but if you want to take it to a beyond delicious status, serve it either on a pool of our Ridiculously Easy Raspberry Coulis or drizzle it with the bright, fresh-tasting coulis.
As stated above, the Raspberry Coulis is one of our ridiculously easy recipes. It can be used in so many ways and adds a gourmet touch to desserts. Check out how simple it is to make:
I'm pretty sure you'll want this Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart on your "go-to" recipe list for spring entertaining. After all, spring and lemon seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly or mom and apple pie or milk and cookies... You get the picture, right? This dessert will be so lovely for brunch, lunch or dinner on the porch, patio, deck. I'm dreaming of those days now, how about you?
Café Tips for making this Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart
- Since this is a one-bowl, no-mixer crust/crumb recipe, you want your butter to be very soft. There are a number of ways to soften butter.
- In warm weather months, just let it sit out on the counter for a few hours.
- When it's cold outside and cool in the house, you can soften it in the oven or microwave with the light left on. (To leave the light on in a microwave, close the door partially with a small cloth over the door which will keep the door from closing all the way.)
- Microwave the butter on low power (10% on my microwave) for 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave.
- Microwave on high for 10-second increments, turning the butter after each increment. It will take 20-30 seconds to soften a stick of cold butter.
- Using a microwave-safe bowl, bring a cup of water to a boil. Place the cold butter in the microwave and shut the door. The warm, steaming environment will soften the butter in 10-15 minutes.
- You'll need to make the lemon curd a few hours ahead of making this tart. It should be cooled in the refrigerator for at least an hour before adding it to the tart.
- This recipe calls for almond flour. Almond flour is simply finely ground almonds. Don't confuse it with almond meal which is also ground almonds, but a coarser grind. It won't give the same fine crust/crumbs as almond flour. Almond flour can be a bit pricey. I like to purchase it at Trader Joe's or online. If you don't use almond flour frequently, store it in the freezer. It will keep well for many months!
- The crust dough is the same as the crumb topping dough for this Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart. You'll use half of it for the crust and half for the crumb topping. Don't worry about being super accurate with this. If you're going to error on any side, I would error on using more of the dough for the topping.
- You won't use all of the lemon curd recipe for this tart. There are so many wonderful ways to use lemon curd though. Just check out the Ridiculously Easy Lemon Curd post for some ideas. Cooking Light has some other great ideas in this post.
- When pressing the dough into the pan, I like to have a small bowl of flour nearby. I dip my fingers into the flour from time to time to prevent the dough from being sticky.
- This Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart calls for a 9-inch tart pan. You could also use a 9-inch cake pan, although it won't be quite as pretty a presentation. If using a cake pan, spray it well with baking spray and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. I love these pre-cut parchment paper circles. A package will last forever and really speeds things up when baking cakes or tarts like this lemon curd tart.
- Be sure to use a sheet pan under the tart when baking as instructed in the recipe. This is a buttery crust and there can be a little leakage from the tart pan.
- I love to serve this tart warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and a drizzle of Raspberry Coulis.
- This dessert can be made 8-12 hours in advance. It can also be made and frozen after cooling. To serve after freezing, allow it to thaw, then warm for 10-12 minutes in a 300˚ oven.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
- 8 ounces very soft butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup almond flour
- 1 ¼ cups Ridiculously Easy Lemon Curd
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In a medium-size bowl, whisk the soft butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, vanilla and salt and whisk again until well combined. Add the all-purpose and almond flours and stir with a fork until the flour is incorporated and large crumbs start to form.
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Spray a 9-inch tart pan (or a 9-inch cake pan) with baking spray. (if using a cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.) Press approximately one-half of the dough evenly up the sides and covering the bottom of the pan. Place the bowl with the remaining dough into the refrigerator.
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Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Place a sheet pan on the rack and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
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Bake the bottom crust on the sheet pan for 10-14 minutes, until just beginning to firm and turn pale golden brown at the edges.
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Remove the sheet pan from the oven and allow the tart to cool for 10 minutes, then spread the lemon curd evenly over the bottom of the crust.
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Remove the remaining dough from the refrigerator. Grab a handful of the crumb mixture and gently squeeze it in your hand, then sprinkle it over the lemon curd, breaking it up into large crumbs as you go. Repeat until all of the crumb mixture is used up.
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Return the tart (on the sheet pan) to the oven and continue baking until topping is firm, crisp and lightly golden in color, about 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Remove the outer ring from the tart pan and serve. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
See Café Tips above in post for more detailed instructions and tips.
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J Moraski says
This was good, but I used store bought lemon curd and the whole thing came out a bit too sweet. Will definitely try again using your lemon curd recipe. It was super easy and looked great too.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for sharing your review, J.
Michelle Smith says
Hi there! I just made this and can't WAIT to try it! One question: how do you store leftovers? In the fridge? I'm hoping it doesn't make the crumble on top soggy. :-/ Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Michelle, it's fine at room temperature for a day. If it will be longer than that, I would freeze it.
Michelle Smith says
Thanks, Chris. I let it cool completely and then stuck it in the fridge with no cover. I don't want it to get soggy, but I'm hoping it doesn't dry out either. I had to make it early today because of my schedule, but I'm not serving it until tomorrow afternoon...that would be more than 24 hours. I think I will take it out of the fridge mid-morning to come to room temp before I serve. Unless you have a better idea? I've not had this before, so I'm not sure what to expect, but it smells DIVINE.
Next time I'll make it day-of because it was not difficult AT ALL.
Chris Scheuer says
I think it will be great! Hope your guests enjoy it!
Donna Jo says
Can the tart crust be made in advance and frozen?
Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Donna, yes, you could definitely do that!
Donna Jo says
I made this today, because, well, I just felt like baking - and I LOVE anything lemon. I made the lemon curd yesterday which was a breeze to make. This tart turned out so good, all I can say is wow! So glad I made it! Will be making it again for a dinner with friends next month.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know, Donna Jo!
Beverly Garcia says
This was pretty easy and turned out so beautifully! I love anything lemon and chose this to make for my birthday lemon dessert! So happy it used a good amount of almond flour as I can get it very easy ( I'm in California where they grow!} and it just makes the crust taste so delicious! The recipe also makes plenty of crumb...I love lots of crumb!
Thanks, can't wait to try many more of your lovely recipes!
Beverly
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So happy you enjoyed this, Beverly!
Nancy says
The curd was very easy to make and it was delish! I didn’t have lemon juice so I used fresh lime juice. My daughter said it was like a short bread crust key lime pie! We will definitely be making this again.
Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks for letting us know, Nancy!
Linda says
Going to make the tart but have made the lemon curd! Delicious’. Please send the labels for the lemon curd. Thank you nnn
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Linda! Enjoy!
Katie says
Question - have you tried making with gluten free flour? Any recommendations to make gluten free?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Katie, I haven't tested this recipe with GF flour so I can't say for sure.
Jamie says
Fantastic! Came out very pretty! This lemon tart is a show stopper. What are the free printable labels?
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know, Jamie. Some of our recipes have free printable labels so you can give them as gifts. We're happy to email them to you, we just ask that you leave a comment on each post.
Claire says
Please send this lovely label. Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Claire, we do not have labels for this recipe at this time.
Patti A Landis says
Hi,
I’m so excited to try this recipe for lemon curd. I already ordered nice jars to gift it . Now, if you could please send the pdf for the labels my gifts will be complete. Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Patti!
Ellise says
Turned out beautiful. I did strain my curd to make sure it was velvety smooth and added some of the lemon zest to the shortbread crust
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for letting us know, Ellise!
Cindy says
The recipe looks delightful! If I am preparing this for a group that may have nut allergies, would I simply add 3/4 cup more of flour to replace the almond flour? Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, that will work perfectly, Cindy! Enjoy!
Cher says
Have you ever tried making a shortbread crust using shortbread cookies like you would graham crackers just wondered what it would turn out like
Chris Scheuer says
I have tried that and it's delicious! This is one recipe I've used - it has coconut but you could skip that: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/key-lime-crunch-tart/comment-page-1/#wprm-recipe-container-25299
Karen says
This is one of my faves. I took the left over egg whites and made a quick meringue for the top. Definitely keep stored in the fridge.
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Karen! Thanks for letting us know!
Christiane says
Am a new subscriber and looking forward to try this « delicious lemon curd », as testified by all the comments. I live in Mexico at 5,000 ft altitude. Do you have recipes adapted to this altitude, with proper measurements, as I find trying to adjust recipes time consuming. Thank you so much
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Christiane, welcome to The Café! I live at 2600 feet in the mountains of North Carolina and this recipe works well. I don't have the opportunity to test recipes at a different altitude so I can't give you specifics on this.