Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe

Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe

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Introduction

The Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe is a stunning, bite-sized dessert that balances zesty citrus with fluffy, floral meringue. Perfect for impressing guests at parties or treating yourself to a gourmet experience at home, these tiny lemon meringue tarts offer elegance in every bite. Combining the tang of fresh lemon with the subtle sweetness of lilac, this dessert is as visually captivating as it is delicious. In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to create these beautiful tarts with professional tips, storage advice, and creative variations.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting Citrus Flavor: Tangy lemon curd pairs beautifully with the floral lilac meringue.

  • Impressive Presentation: Tiny tartlets that look professionally made.

  • Quick and Easy: Simple steps, achievable even for beginner bakers.

  • Customizable: Lilac extract can be swapped for other floral flavors.

  • Perfect for Entertaining: Ideal for parties, showers, or afternoon tea.

  • Make Ahead Friendly: Crusts and curd can be prepared in advance.

  • Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with a touch of gourmet flair.

  • Kid-Friendly Option: Sweet, tangy, and soft textures that kids adore.

Ingredients

For the Tart Crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 1–2 tablespoons cold water

Tip: Use cold butter for a flaky, tender crust. Powdered sugar enhances sweetness without graininess.

For the Lemon Filling:

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

Substitutions: You can replace butter with vegan butter for dairy-free tarts. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for brightness.

For the Lilac Meringue:

  • 2 large egg whites

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 1/2 teaspoon lilac extract or edible lilac syrup

  • Lilac petals for garnish (optional, edible only)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Tart Crust

  1. In a bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar.

  2. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  3. Add egg yolk and cold water, mixing until dough comes together.

  4. Press dough into small tart pans evenly.

  5. Chill for 30 minutes to firm up.

Science Tip: Chilling prevents shrinkage during baking, ensuring crisp, uniform shells.

Bake the Tart Shells

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Prick chilled tart shells with a fork to prevent puffing.

  3. Bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.

  4. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Lemon Filling

  1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and yolk constantly.

  2. Stir gently until thickened (5–7 minutes).

  3. Remove from heat; whisk in cubed butter until smooth.

  4. Spoon lemon curd into cooled tart shells.

  5. Chill at least 1 hour before topping.

Science Tip: Constant whisking prevents curd from curdling, ensuring creamy, glossy filling.

Prepare the Lilac Meringue

  1. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.

  2. Gradually add sugar, continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks.

  3. Fold in lilac extract gently.

Assemble and Finish

  1. Pipe or spoon meringue onto chilled lemon tarts.

  2. Lightly torch for golden peaks or leave soft for natural look.

  3. Garnish with edible lilac petals. Serve immediately.

Introduction The Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe is a stunning, bite-sized dessert that balances zesty citrus with fluffy, floral meringue. Perfect for impressing guests at parties or treating yourself to a gourmet experience at home, these tiny lemon meringue tarts offer elegance in every bite. Combining the tang of fresh lemon with the subtle sweetness of lilac, this dessert is as visually captivating as it is delicious. In this guide, you'll learn step-by-step how to create these beautiful tarts with professional tips, storage advice, and creative variations. Why You'll Love This Recipe Bursting Citrus Flavor: Tangy lemon curd pairs beautifully with the floral lilac meringue. Impressive Presentation: Tiny tartlets that look professionally made. Quick and Easy: Simple steps, achievable even for beginner bakers. Customizable: Lilac extract can be swapped for other floral flavors. Perfect for Entertaining: Ideal for parties, showers, or afternoon tea. Make Ahead Friendly: Crusts and curd can be prepared in advance. Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with a touch of gourmet flair. Kid-Friendly Option: Sweet, tangy, and soft textures that kids adore. Ingredients For the Tart Crust: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 egg yolk 1–2 tablespoons cold water Tip: Use cold butter for a flaky, tender crust. Powdered sugar enhances sweetness without graininess. For the Lemon Filling: 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed Substitutions: You can replace butter with vegan butter for dairy-free tarts. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for brightness. For the Lilac Meringue: 2 large egg whites 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon lilac extract or edible lilac syrup Lilac petals for garnish (optional, edible only) Pro Tip: Ensure no yolk remains in egg whites for perfect stiff peaks. Step-by-Step Instructions Prepare the Tart Crust In a bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and cold water, mixing until dough comes together. Press dough into small tart pans evenly. Chill for 30 minutes to firm up. Science Tip: Chilling prevents shrinkage during baking, ensuring crisp, uniform shells. Bake the Tart Shells Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prick chilled tart shells with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Make the Lemon Filling In a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk lemon juice, zest, sugar, eggs, and yolk constantly. Stir gently until thickened (5–7 minutes). Remove from heat; whisk in cubed butter until smooth. Spoon lemon curd into cooled tart shells. Chill at least 1 hour before topping. Science Tip: Constant whisking prevents curd from curdling, ensuring creamy, glossy filling. Prepare the Lilac Meringue Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in lilac extract gently. Assemble and Finish Pipe or spoon meringue onto chilled lemon tarts. Lightly torch for golden peaks or leave soft for natural look. Garnish with edible lilac petals. Serve immediately. Pro Tips How do I prevent meringue from weeping? Ensure egg whites are free of fat and sugar is added gradually. Torch lightly if needed. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, tart shells and lemon curd can be prepared 1–2 days in advance. Add meringue just before serving. What’s the best substitute for lilac extract? Rose, violet, or lavender extracts provide similar floral notes. Best Ways to Serve Pair with a cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea. Serve as a mini dessert tray for parties. Crosslink: Try our Mini Lemon Tarts with Chocolate Drizzle for a rich twist. Nutrition (per tart, approx.) Calories: 180 kcal Fat: 10 g Carbohydrates: 22 g Protein: 2 g Sugar: 15 g Tip: Adjust sugar in meringue for a lighter dessert. Storage & Leftovers Refrigerator: 2–3 days in airtight container. Freezer: Lemon curd separately up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before assembly. Reheat: Do not heat after meringue; serve chilled. FAQs Can I make mini lemon tarts without lilac? Yes! Substitute floral extract with vanilla or leave plain. How do I avoid soggy tart shells? Blind bake shells and cool completely before adding lemon curd. Can this be made vegan? Use plant-based butter and egg substitutes for curd and meringue. Variations Gluten-Free: Use almond flour or gluten-free blend for crust. Flavor Twist: Add raspberry coulis between crust and curd. Seasonal: Top with candied citrus peel or fresh berries. Conclusion & Social CTA The Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe is a delightful balance of citrus tang and fluffy floral sweetness. Perfect for any occasion, this recipe elevates your dessert game while remaining approachable for home bakers. Try this recipe today, snap a photo, and share your creations with the world—your guests will be amazed!

Pro Tips

How do I prevent meringue from weeping?

Ensure egg whites are free of fat and sugar is added gradually. Torch lightly if needed.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, tart shells and lemon curd can be prepared 1–2 days in advance. Add meringue just before serving.

What’s the best substitute for lilac extract?

Rose, violet, or lavender extracts provide similar floral notes.

Best Ways to Serve

  • Pair with a cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea.

  • Serve as a mini dessert tray for parties.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 180 kcal

  • Fat: 10 g

  • Carbohydrates: 22 g

  • Protein: 2 g

  • Sugar: 15 g

Storage & Leftovers

  • Refrigerator: 2–3 days in airtight container.

  • Freezer: Lemon curd separately up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before assembly.

  • Reheat: Do not heat after meringue; serve chilled.

Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe

FAQs

Can I make mini lemon tarts without lilac?

Yes! Substitute floral extract with vanilla or leave plain.

How do I avoid soggy tart shells?

Blind bake shells and cool completely before adding lemon curd.

Can this be made vegan?

Use plant-based butter and egg substitutes for curd and meringue.

Variations

  • Gluten-Free: Use almond flour or gluten-free blend for crust.

  • Flavor Twist: Add raspberry coulis between crust and curd.

  • Seasonal: Top with candied citrus peel or fresh berries.

Conclusion

The Mini Lemon Tart with Lilac Meringue Recipe is a delightful balance of citrus tang and fluffy floral sweetness. Perfect for any occasion, this recipe elevates your dessert game while remaining approachable for home bakers. Try this recipe today, snap a photo, and share your creations with the world—your guests will be amazed!