Lemon Curd Tartlets

Dainty miniature tartlets filled with a sweet-tart lemon curd, perfect for teatime or anytime.

Recipe Ingredients:

For Tart Shells:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

For Filling:
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons (14 tablespoons)

Cooking Directions:

1. In a food processor, pulse flour, confectioners sugar and salt. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. In a separate bowl whisk together yolk, water and lemon juice in a bowl, then add to processor and pulse until pea-size lumps form and dough holds together when squeezed (dough will appear somewhat crumbly).
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°F). Press a small amount of dough (a ball the diameter of a nickel) evenly into the bottom of a miniature muffin tin; refrigerate 20 minutes. Using thumb and forefinger, spread the dough evenly on the bottom and around the sides of each muffin space. Place tins on a sheet pan and bake in middle of oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and, when shells are just cool enough to handle, carefully loosen edges with a thin knife and remove from pans.
3. Whisk together zest, lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and a pinch of salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Add butter and cook over moderately low heat, stirring briskly, until curd is pudding consistency, about 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately pour curd through a fine sieve into a bowl; cover and allow to come to room temperature, then refrigerate. Curd will keep up to one week refrigerated.
4. Before serving, spoon lemon curd into shells and garnish with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Makes 18 miniature tarts.

Recipe provided courtesy of The Sugar Association, Inc.