lemon tart

Ingredients:

For the shortcrust pastry:

200g flour

100g cold butter, diced

50g icing sugar

1 egg yolk

1 pinch of salt

2 tablespoons cold water

For the lemon cream:

150ml fresh lemon juice (about 3 to 4 lemons)

Zest of 2 lemons

3 whole eggs

150g sugar

150ml full-fat liquid crème fraîche (35% fat)

1 tablespoon cornflour (optional, to thicken)

For decoration (optional):

Lemon zest

Icing sugar

Mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Preparing the shortcrust pastry:

Make the pastry:

In a bowl, mix the flour, icing sugar and salt.

Add the cold butter and rub the mixture with your fingertips until it has a sandy texture.

Add the egg yolk and cold water, then mix quickly to form a ball of dough. Do not overwork the dough to keep its crumbly texture.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and leave to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Blind baking the dough:

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Roll out the dough and line a 24 cm tart tin. Prick the bottom with a fork.

Cover the dough with baking paper and baking beads (or dried beans) and blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and beads, then bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the dough is lightly browned. Leave to cool.

2. Preparation of the lemon cream:

Prepare the lemon filling:

In a bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes frothy and pale.

Add the lemon juice, zest, and crème fraîche. Mix well until the mixture is smooth. If you want a thicker cream, add cornflour.

3. Baking the tart:

Pour the lemon cream:

Pour the lemon filling onto the pre-baked tart base.

Baking the tart:

Lower the oven temperature to 160°C and bake the tart for 25 to 30 minutes, until the lemon cream is set but still slightly wobbly in the centre.

4. Finishing and decorating:

Cooling:

Let the tart cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving so that the cream is firm.

Decorating:

Just before serving, dust the tart with icing sugar, add finely grated lemon zest or thin slices of lemon for a beautiful presentation. Mint leaves can also add a touch of freshness.