Classic French Tarte Au Citron - Fresh Lemon Tart

"This is the most requested dessert in our Chambres d'Hotes; I like to make it quite tart and lemony, with creme fraiche, instead of thick double cream - plus I like it to be baked until just set and with a wobble! This is great served with a drizzle of cassis for an elegant finishing touch, plus a sprig of mint. If you are not a great lover of lemons, please reduce the quantity of lemons in the recipe."
 
Download
photo by Lavender Lynn photo by Lavender Lynn
photo by Lavender Lynn
photo by French Tart photo by French Tart
Ready In:
1hr
Ingredients:
7
Yields:
1 Tart
Serves:
6
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Roll out the pastry and line a 24cm to 26cm tart or quiche dish. Bake blind in a pre-heated oven 180°C/350F/gas 4, for about 7-10 mins, or until lightly golden brown and slightly crisp.
  • Whisk the lemon juice, crème fraiche, sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Add the grated lemon rind & mix well.
  • Carefully pour the mixture into the pastry case and bake for 40 minutes or so, until the custard has set but is still slightly wobbly. Sprinkle liberally with icing sugar.
  • Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, with a drizzle of cassis and a sprig of mint. You can also serve this with a bowl of creme fraiche or cream.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. I've made this a number of times. For my pie dish the filling is about double the amount required but it freezes really well so you can save the other half for a later date.
     
  2. Tastes great, I should know, I made it twice. I bought a French fluted tart pan, couldn't get the 20 cm specified, so went for 24cm. There was much too much filling and I wound up with a very nice tart, but not enough for the company I was having over that evening for dinner and several small custard cups I baked along with the tart to use all of the extra filling, another way to use this if you don't want to make a tart, they were very pretty too, but not enugh either for the company. I made another pie crust and used it to line a good old American glass pie pan which is much bigger than a tart pan and another batch of filling and the filling filled the American pie pan. It made a very nice lemon custard pie which everyone liked. We still have four custard cups and a small tart pan of tart to go now. The quantity of lemon was fine for us.
     
  3. I have made this tart three times now and it tastes delicious. Even a friend who said "I don't like lemons" came back for a second helping. <br/><br/>However, when the tart is cooked the top has always ended up cracking and looking like crazy paving. What am I doing wrong?
     
  4. I made this today, it was fantastic. I thought the custard was too runny when I poured it into the pastry case and I gave it 45 minutes in the oven to be on the safe side. It came out perfect. The flavour had a good mixture of sweet and tart. It would be a definite dinner party winner. I have only tried it warm. I can't wait to get stuck into a cold slice from the fridge, maybe tomorrow though.
     
  5. very nice
     
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p><strong><span>The sunflowers in the field behind my house in SW France:</span></strong></p> <p><img title=Sunflowers src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/DSCN8221.jpg alt=Sunflowers width=640 height=480 /><br /><strong><span><br /><br />I am British (English-Scottish), but I was born in South Africa and have lived all over the world, including Hong Kong, Germany, Cyprus, USA &amp; Singapore. I have also been very fortunate to have travelled extensively over the years.........I still have wanderlust! <br /><br />I used to be an English Literature &amp; Art History teacher &amp; lecturer; before that, I trained and worked as a Graphic Designer for many years. I now live in France with my husband &amp; my daughter who has just started university in September 2006. We also have one very chatty Burmese cat Willow, who allows us to live with her here! (I used to have three cats, I recently lost Monty, a beautiful seal point Siamese and before that, Rama, who was a debonair blue point Siamese cat - I would love to have another Siamese cat or cats in the future!)</span></strong></p> <p><em><strong><span>This is my Burmese Cat, Willow, sunning herself on the log pile in the kitchen garden:</span></strong></em></p> <p><strong><img title=My src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/ABaconButtyandSundryFoodPhotos34.jpg alt=My width=640 height=480 /></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Here is my lovely Monty, a seal point Siamese, and Willow, sitting&nbsp;in the kitchen garden last year, and a few months before Monty died; he was 18yrs old:</span></strong></p> <p><img title=Monty src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/AbsolutelySinfulStickyToffeePudding.jpg alt=Monty width=640 height=480 />My</p> <p><strong><span>This is my wonderful old boy, Rama, a blue-point Siamese, who died when he was 20yrs old - excuse the old and much sellotaped photo:</span></strong></p> <p><img title=Rama src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Rama1stOctober2004164.jpg alt=Rama width=517 height=639 /></p> <p><strong><span>My favourite pastimes are: reading, writing, painting &amp; drawing, photography, gardening, anything creative, walking, travelling, dining out and of course COOKING! I love all types of cuisine, but especially Traditional British - and NO it is NOT all bad!! I particularly love food associated with the changing seasons plus traditional feasts &amp; festivals, as well as Slow Cooking. I also enjoy French &amp; North African cuisine, come to think of it, there isn't much I don't like! <br /><br />My husband &amp; I run a Chambres D'Hotes, (Bed and Breakfast) called Auberge de la Fontaine here in beautiful South West France; we specialise in Gourmet Food &amp; Wine Breaks, French Antiques &amp; Restoration courses, French Language courses and French Cookery classes. Our home is completely furnished with Antique French furniture that we have rescued &amp; restored ourselves. Our charming village has one of the oldest Churches in the region &amp; it is famous for its connection with the St.Jacques de Compostella Pilgrimage route, as well as being within the Cognac &amp; Bordeaux wine growing area. <br /><br />We have a wonderful garden where we grow ALL of our own herbs and most of our fruit and vegetables. I specialise in rare, unusual and old-fashioned herbs, which I grow in our walled garden. As well as growing herbs, I also grow many different varieties of lavender, old-fashioned shrub roses and heirloom fruit and vegetables. <br /><br />We have lived overseas for many, many years now - but we both still love going home to Northern England, near Scarborough &amp; York, to visit our family &amp; friends. We also love indulging in dining out when we are there, in a wide variety of EXCELLENT Gastro-Pubs that we have in North Yorkshire; and popping in to have a Pint of REAL ENGLISH ALE in our local pub is a always a must!! <br /></span></strong></p> <p><br /><a href=http://photobucket.com/images/merci%20beaucoup target=_blank><img src=http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp287/vi-vie15/Merci/hb09izl7.gif border=0 alt=merci /></a> <br /><br /><strong><span>A Message to all who make and review my recipes! I try very hard to reply to EACH and EVERYONE of you who kindly makes, reviews and photographs my recipes! However, sometimes I am so busy in the B and B, and with other things, that I may be late in sending a personal thank you message, and sometimes I forget completely! I would just like to thank you ALL in advance, and just in case I am late or forgetful in sending a personal thanks. I am always very humbled by anyone who chooses to make one of my recipes, and I love reading the reviews and seeing the beautiful photos that are posted. Merci beaucoup encore! <br /><br />A note about my recipes. All of my posted recipes, whether they be my own concoctions or adaptations from a book or a famous chef, have been tried and tested at least once, by ME! I try to make sure that I am the guinea pig and not you! However, if there is anything you would like ask me about one of my recipes, or a query that I may be able to help you with, please do write and I will try to answer your question as soon as possible. I post my recipes in Imperial (lbs and ozs) and Metric (kilos and grams) as I am British! </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a id=clustrMapsLink href=http://www2.clustrmaps.com/counter/maps.php?url=http://www.recipezaar.com/member/242729><img id=clustrMapsImg title=Locations src=http://www2.clustrmaps.com/counter/index2.php?url=http://www.recipezaar.com/member/242729 alt=Locations /> <br /></a><br /><br /> <object width=550 height=293 data=http://static.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=4263273 type=application/x-shockwave-flash> <param name=data value=http://static.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=4263273 /> <param name=bgcolor value=#372060 /> <param name=src value=http://static.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=4263273 /> <param name=quality value=high /> </object> <br /><br /><br /><a href=http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-widgets><img src=http://static.travbuddy.com/images/widget_map_promote_v2.gif border=0 alt=/ /></a> <br /><a href=http://www.travbuddy.com/register.php><img src=http://static.travbuddy.com/images/widget_map_promote_meet.gif border=0 alt=/ /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span>A Swish Slideshow!! <br /></span></strong><br /> <object width=480 height=360 data=http://w146.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Food type=application/x-shockwave-flash> <param name=data value=http://w146.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Food /> <param name=src value=http://w146.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Food /> <param name=wmode value=transparent /> </object> <a href=http://photobucket.com/slideshows target=_blank><img src=http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif alt=/ /></a><a href=http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Food%202009/?action=view?t=f58f3c11.pbw target=_blank><img src=http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif alt=/ /></a> <br /><br /><br /><strong><span>Awards: <br /></span></strong><br /><img src=http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/MelbourneCup1st.JPG border=0 alt=/ /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/ruemke/ft.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><br /><br /><img src=http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/ruemke/food/a.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><br /><br /><img src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Zaar%20Food%20Photos/SassyBanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /> <br /><br /><br /><strong><span>I have participated in:</span></strong> <br /><br /><br /><br /><img src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Herb1BaySTKR.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/mliss29/vegn%20swap/vegnswap.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/annacia/Permanent%20Banners/apple-a-day-oct-09.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z205/jubespage/ZaarBanners/170ae11e.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/ZaarNicksMom/Animation6.gif alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/ZaarNicksMom/PACsticker-Adopted.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z205/jubespage/ZaarBanners/recipetag2-1.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1956/herbssticker1.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/ThymeSticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/484938/Hot.spicy.tastySTKR.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1956/samethingsticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t229/axerage/aboutmetagcopy.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1956/saladsticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z205/jubespage/2008AussieNZChristmasCardExchange.gif alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3314808827_fd1070a8f8_m.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><a href=http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Birthday%20and%20Celebration%20Images/?action=view?t=ParsleyBanner.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Birthday%20and%20Celebration%20Images/ParsleyBanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /></a> <br /><img src=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/copperhorse58/Birthday%20and%20Celebration%20Images/FrenchCheeseoftheWeekClub.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/MrsTeny/CookathonforKarensticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/annacia/Permanent%20Banners/i-connected-125.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/HokiesLady65/totmtaggame-1.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z205/jubespage/AussieRecipeSwap.gif alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jewelies/Cooking-Kangaroo-1-1.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/FISHSEAFDSTICKER.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/CROCKPOTSTKR.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/AM%20Banners/holidaybadge.gif border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/annacia/pt-shutterbug-banner-1.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/chefpaulag/banners/cookathonLorac-1.jpg?t=1217936137 alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/ZWT4-ChallengeHostAboutMe.gif alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/484938/MayFlowerssticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Flourpowersticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/Swap14.JPG alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/PastastickerJPEG.jpg alt=/ /> <img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Kaffee-sticker.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/derf16/food%20photography%20series/MuffinLovesticker.jpg alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/derf16/food%20photography%20series/Comfortstickercopysmall.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Other/photo-swap-7sticky.jpg alt=/ /> <img src=http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/vseward/Bevy/officialmemberofthebevtaggame.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/personal/FRENCH-foodfun.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1956/holidaylightssticker.jpg alt=/ /> <img src=http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/484938/Spelling-Bee-stick2jpg.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/BtoBHosts.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1535/CLC1.gif alt=/ /><img src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/TasteofYellow.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/FFF/Switzerland-FFF4.gif alt=/ /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/untitled.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/200_PACpic.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/pacbanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /> <img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT-ChallengeHostBanner.gif alt=/ /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif alt=/ /> <img src=http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/Dreamgoddess555/Narrow1-1.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/RecipeSwap2.JPG alt=width=50% /> <br /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1535/samethingsticker.jpg alt=/ /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/Adopted1smp.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/smPACp.jpg border=0 alt=PAC /><img src=http://www.recipezaar.com/members/home/1535/cheesesticker.jpg alt=/ /><a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=148021 target=_blank> <img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC10-FrenchTart.jpg alt=/ /></a><a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=119602 target=_blank> <img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC9-FrenchTart.jpg alt=/ /></a></p>
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes