True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon Tart

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A delicate, authentic-tasting lemon tart inspired by the 'true' craftsmanship of vintage Martin guitars, featuring a buttery crust and vibrant lemon curd. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 95 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold butter, ice water 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 220 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.

★ 3.8 (10 ratings) Prep: 45 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 French cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: For crust: Pulse 1 cup flour and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor. Add 1/2 cup cold cubed butter; pulse until pea-sized crumbs form. Drizzle in 2 tbsp ice water and pulse until dough holds together. Press into a 9-inch tart pan, chill 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Blind-bake crust for 20 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet until golden.
  3. Step 3: For filling: Whisk 2 tbsp lemon zest, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour filling into cooled crust; bake for 25-30 minutes until center is set but slightly jiggly.
  5. Step 5: Cool completely on a wire rack (2 hours), then refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon Tart take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (45 min prep + 50 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 True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon 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 True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon 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 True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon 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 True Vintage 1920s Guitar-Style Lemon Tart?

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.

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