I love lemon desserts. I really, really, really love them! Lemon pie? Love! Lemon cake? Love! Lemon cupcakes, cookies, custards? Love, Love, Love! And, lemon tarts? Double Love! Needless to say, I was elated to learn that this week’s TWD selection was Dorie’s Tartest Lemon Tart, chosen by Babette from Babette Feasts.
This recipe is a bit unconventional as the filling is made with whole lemons. That’s right, folks. The. Whole. Entire. Lemon. You just whiz the lemons up in the food processor or blender, add the rest of the filling ingredients, pour it all into a crunchy, nutty pate sable and bake. What you end up with is a smooth, sweet and creamy lemon tart with just the perfect amount of pucker power. I’m telling you, this tart is pure sunshine on a plate!
Dorie’s recipe calls for her sweet tart dough with nuts. I would normally have used almonds, except that I didn’t have any. What I did have was a bag of toasted hazelnut flour, so I used some of that. I think it was a good alternative.
As delicious as this tart tasted, it wasn’t really all that pretty to look at. It had a few little cracks and bubbles on the surface. While trying to figure out how to camouflage those blemishes, I decided to throw some sugar on top and brulee it. It worked perfectly! The top had that burnished, glassy finish on it that got all crackly when I cut into it. I served the tart for dessert on Mother’s Day and it went so fast that I almost didn’t get any pictures!
If you’d like to make Dorie’s tart for yourself, the recipe can be found in her book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, as well as on Babette’s site. If you need some more convincing, check out all of the other fabulous lemon tarts over on the Tuesdays with Dorie site.
Filed Under: Baking, Desserts, Fruits, Pies and Tarts, Recipes, Tuesdays with Dorie
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On May 12, 2009 at 12:44am, Nina's Recipes said...
Hello Susan, your presentation is fabulous. The food is exquisite.
Compliments!
On May 12, 2009 at 2:23am, Manggy said...
I had to do a double-take when you said it wasn’t pretty. That is one of the best presentations of this tart I’ve seen!
Totally drool-worthy 
On May 12, 2009 at 5:19am, Ciao Chow Linda said...
That is one delicious and beautiful looking tart. I love the flowers strewn about and the yellow dish too. Thanks for your help again.
On May 12, 2009 at 5:39am, Bellini Valli said...
Lemon is my chocolate so this is a perfect dish for me.I had heard of a recipe recently that used the entire orange, skin and all, so this is something I have to try.
On May 12, 2009 at 7:16am, vibi said...
Oh! so very Frehc looking, Oui! Oui! Susan!!! LOL
I love the way it cuts, the portion it gives… and most of all, how you decided to enhance it with lavender and delicate lemon twists! Lovely!
On May 12, 2009 at 7:20am, steph- whisk/spoon said...
the brulee makes it gorgeous! perfect mother’s day dessert!!
On May 12, 2009 at 7:33am, joanne at frutto della passione said...
ooooooooooooooooh.
That looks to die for amazing. I am still under a dessert veto imposed by my husband (no more baking because his summer trousers are tight) but this is going on my ever growing Things To Bake List!!!
On May 12, 2009 at 7:48am, Teanna said...
Are you serious?! I think that tart is SO beautiful to look at! It is gorgeous and your presentation is wonderful!
On May 12, 2009 at 8:09am, The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
Beautiful tart. I’m very into lemon desserts too. I’m glad we were able to see a photo of it.
On May 12, 2009 at 8:21am, Clivia said...
I love that rectangular pan. It makes for an elegant slice. Glad you enjoyed!
On May 12, 2009 at 8:35am, Katrina said...
I loved this tart, too! LOVE the brulee idea. Looks great, as always.
On May 12, 2009 at 8:58am, Madam Chow said...
Beautiful presentation! And I agree that this tart is a winner. I’m going to be making it again, and experimenting with different crusts.
On May 12, 2009 at 10:55am, anna said...
The brulee is gorgeous and sounds very yummy. And I REALLY want one of those rectangular tart pans - I’ve nearly bought one several times now.
On May 12, 2009 at 11:45am, Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
A delightful and unusual tart! Really tempting!
Cheers,
Rosa
On May 12, 2009 at 11:46am, Jennifer said...
The bruleed top looks so pretty! I don’t think it’s an ugly dessert, at all, the rectangle shape is really elegant, too.
On May 12, 2009 at 11:55am, Sara said...
I love the rectangular tart pan, it makes such interesting slices.
On May 12, 2009 at 12:14pm, duodishes.com said...
No worry about cracks and bubbles here. They give even more character to a dessert that’s guaranteed to be good anyways!
On May 12, 2009 at 12:15pm, Lys said...
GORGEOUS Susan! The presentation is top notch, as always.
On May 12, 2009 at 12:18pm, Cristine said...
Looks great! I love that pan!
On May 12, 2009 at 12:25pm, CookiePie said...
I think it looks great! And I bet it’s just delicious
On May 12, 2009 at 12:34pm, pinkstripes said...
Your tart looks wonderful. I love the lavender on top. Gorgeous!
On May 12, 2009 at 1:24pm, Snooky doodle said...
oh this looks so nice. I love the brulee top. Great idea
On May 12, 2009 at 1:31pm, Mary said...
Lovely presentation…I love the lavender on top…
On May 12, 2009 at 1:38pm, Linda said...
I was hoping that someone would go out on a limb and brulee this tart. What a lovely treat for Mom’s Day — beautiful job!
On May 12, 2009 at 1:52pm, Tangled Noodle said...
That’s one tasty tart! The brulee is such a great idea - I need one of those little blowtorch thingys!
On May 12, 2009 at 3:26pm, Isabelle said...
des photos très printanières avec ces petites violettes ! c’est magnifique !
moi aussi, je l’ai fait façon tarte brûlée
On May 12, 2009 at 5:57pm, myfamousrecipe said...
Your tart is gorgeous, with the brulee and the lovely herbs. Great work!
On May 12, 2009 at 6:28pm, Steph said...
I think it’s absolutely gorgeous! A little colour is always better than pale!!
On May 12, 2009 at 7:30pm, Patsyk said...
Your tart is stunning! I love lemon desserts!
On May 12, 2009 at 7:48pm, onlinepastrychef said...
Looks and sounds perfect. And the brule gives it just a little bit of caramelized sweet crunch. Double perfect! Lovely photos, as always, Susan!
On May 12, 2009 at 8:28pm, Simple Simon said...
Your site is always a treat for the eyes! Love it.
On May 13, 2009 at 3:16am, Cakelaw said...
Gorgeous Susan - I love the lavendar on top.
On May 13, 2009 at 5:17am, Debbie said...
What a beautiful Tart. It sounds delicious and a bit different since it uses the whole lemon!!! Wonderful…I also love lemon desserts!
On May 13, 2009 at 6:39am, Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...
Your sunshine on a plate looks amazing and I love the Brulee topping. Brilliant idea!
On May 13, 2009 at 7:35am, JennDZ - The Leftover Queen said...
Susan! This is absolute perfection! I love this! Did you use lavender in it? Lavender and lemon are awesome together - they look beautiful together too!
On May 13, 2009 at 1:13pm, Lisa said...
More lovely lemon tarts….. and your brulee is inspired!
The pictures are just luscious lemon all over and the pretty lavender is a most appealing touch.
On May 13, 2009 at 4:42pm, Lori Lynn said...
Sounds lovely. Darling photos too.
LL
On May 13, 2009 at 8:28pm, Tracey said...
Love your presentation! I recently picked up a rectangular tart pan and can’t wait to try it out. So glad your tart was a hit!
On May 13, 2009 at 9:02pm, Maris said...
Every time I read a post about Tuesdays with Dorie it’s all I can do but run out and buy her book! I love that the tart is bruleed, it makes it so much more unique than the average lemon tart!
On May 14, 2009 at 1:28am, Mermaid Sweets said...
What amazing photos, love the purple flowers and lavender. Your cake looks awesome.
On May 14, 2009 at 2:50pm, Piggy said...
Your tart looks fabulous! Agree that this is not the greatest looking tart (mine included!), but I like your idea of make it a creme brulee version!
On May 14, 2009 at 9:01pm, Ingrid said...
That was pure genius to brulee-ing(sp?)the tart! MMMMMM!
Hope you and your mom had a wonderful mother’s day!
~ingrid
On May 14, 2009 at 11:17pm, AmyRuth said...
Very Elegant Tart! I think its beautiful even if you didn’t he he he. It was good too. Don’t you think?
Hope you had fun.
AmyRuth
On May 15, 2009 at 4:51pm, J.Danger said...
Every tuesday I want to get her book! And then make like every recipe in it at once!
On May 25, 2009 at 5:23pm, TeaLady said...
Love your long beautiful tart. Fantastic!!
On July 28, 2009 at 11:13am, TheWoman said...
As a fellow lime-lover - that looks amazing!!!! Am bookmarking this to try it out soon.