Lemon Meringue Tartlets
Mini tartlets with a crisp pastry shell filled with tangy lemon curd and topped with billowy toasted meringue, evoking the icy elegance of Frozen’s snowflakes. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold unsalted butter, diced, 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 320 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 large egg yolks
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/8 tsp salt until combined. Add 6 tbsp cold diced unsalted butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Slowly add 3 tbsp cold water and pulse until dough just comes together. Turn dough onto a floured surface and gently knead. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Roll out chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into rounds to fit 8 mini tart pans. Press dough evenly into pans and prick bottoms with a fork.
- Step 4: Bake tart shells for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and cool completely.
- Step 5: For lemon curd, whisk 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 4 large egg yolks in a heatproof bowl.
- Step 6: Place bowl over simmering water and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and reaches 170°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 6 tbsp unsalted butter until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
- Step 7: Fill cooled tart shells with lemon curd.
- Step 8: For meringue, beat 4 large egg whites with 1/4 tsp cream of tartar at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat on high until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Step 9: Pipe or spread meringue over lemon filling and use a kitchen torch to toast the meringue peaks until golden brown.
- Step 10: Chill tartlets for 1 hour before serving to set meringue.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Meringue Tartlets 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 Lemon Meringue Tartlets?
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 Meringue Tartlets?
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 Meringue Tartlets 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 Meringue Tartlets?
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.
