Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart
A French-inspired tart with a buttery puff pastry crust filled with a zesty lemon curd and topped with a delicate lattice crust. This french-inspired recipe ready in about 70 minutes layers (17.6 oz) pre-rolled puff pastry sheets, large (2 cups juice) lemons, granulated 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 8, 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 (17.6 oz) pre-rolled puff pastry sheets
- 4 large (2 cups juice) lemons
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/4 cup icing sugar
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk egg wash
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface and fit into a 9-inch tart pan. Trim and crimp edges. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: In a saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, sugar, and flour over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and egg yolks until smooth. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour lemon curd into the tart shell. Brush egg wash on the pastry edges. Cut remaining pastry into 1/2-inch strips and weave into a lattice pattern. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool, then dust with icing sugar.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (45 min prep + 25 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 Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart?
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 Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart?
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 Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tart?
French mains 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.