French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust
These delicate lemon tarts feature a crisp almond flour crust filled with tangy lemon curd and are perfect for an elegant dessert or teatime treat. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, almond flour, powdered sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 1 egg yolk
- pinch salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add 6 tbsp cold diced unsalted butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 egg yolk and pulse until dough starts to come together. Press dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out six 4-inch circles and gently press them into tart pans. Chill the crusts for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Bake crusts for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Remove and cool.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, whisk together 3 whole eggs, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and 1 tbsp lemon zest in a bowl until smooth.
- Step 6: Gradually whisk in 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter.
- Step 7: Pour lemon curd evenly into cooled tart shells and bake at 325°F for 15-18 minutes until filling is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Step 8: Cool tarts to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (45 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with French-Style Lemon Tarts with Almond Crust?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
