Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery Crust
Tangy lemon curd fills buttery tart shells topped with fluffy golden meringue for an elegant handheld dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, cold and cubed unsalted butter 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 180 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 8 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 cup, divided granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 whole large eggs
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Add 8 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 large egg yolk and 2 tbsp cold water, pulsing just until dough begins to clump. Turn dough onto a floured surface, press into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Roll chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 12 circles to fit mini tart pans. Press dough into pans and prick bottoms with a fork. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden, then cool.
- Step 4: For lemon curd, whisk 3 whole large eggs with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
- Step 5: Spoon lemon curd into tart shells.
- Step 6: For meringue, beat 3 large egg whites with 1/4 tsp cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Step 7: Pipe or spoon meringue over curd, then bake at 350°F for 7-8 minutes until meringue tips are golden. Cool before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery Crust 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 Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery 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 Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery 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 Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Mini Lemon Meringue Tartlets with Buttery 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.
