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These sweet and tangy Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts are an impressive dessert that is quite simple to make! All you need is lemons, eggs, butter, sugar, a touch of salt and pre-made puff pastry to create this incredibly delicious treat.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (1) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (1)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Puff-Pastry-Lemon-Curd-Tarts-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
I grew up eating lemon curd, even going to Scottish festivals in Los Angeles where lemon curd was one of the main attractions. California may be a seriously screwed up state, but there is always something fun to do!
At some point in time, I started buying lemon curd in jars, and didn’t really think much of it. I will never purchase a jar again, homemade is so much better…especially when used to fill these amazing Lemon Curd Tarts!
In late 19th and early 20th century England, homemade lemon curd was traditionally served with bread or scones at afternoon tea as an alternative to jam, and as a filling for cakes, small pastries and tarts.
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![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (2) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (2)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Classic-English-Lemon-Posset.-cookingwithcurls.com_-1022x1024.jpg)
Lemon Posset
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (3) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/A-Lemon-Instant-Pot-Cheesecake-with-lemon-curd-and-whipped-cream.-cookingwithcurls.com_-1022x1024.jpg)
Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (4) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (4)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lemon-Cheesecake-Ice-Cream.-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream
What you will need
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice. No you cannot use those little plastic lemons in the produce section, that juice is too bitter and will ruin your dessert.
- Granulated sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Eggs add body, thickening, and the gorgeous yellow color.
- Butter to add richness and a velvety texture.
- Puff Pastry Shells or sheets to hold the delicious lemon curd!
Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (5) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (5)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Puff-Pastry-Tart-on-a-small-dessert-plate-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
How to Make Lemon Curd Tarts with Puff Pastry
Bring 1-inch of water to a boil in a large pot. Place eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and sugar in a large stainless steel bowl (or double boiler) and whisk together.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (6) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (6)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-eggs-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Place bowl on top of boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally until thickened.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (7) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (7)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-boil-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Mixture will be ready when it coats the backside of a spoon, and leaves a tunnel when you run your finger through it.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (8) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (8)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-spoon-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
It takes about 5 to 7 minutes, and looks thicker in person. Remove from heat and whisk in butter.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (9) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (9)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-butter-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Continue whisking until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into a sealed container and chill in the refrigerator.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (10) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (10)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Homemade-Lemon-Curd-cookingwithcurls.com_-1.jpg)
While the lemon curd is chilling, preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat liner and set aside. Pull puff pastry shells OR 1 puff pastry sheet out of package and place on a floured work surface.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (11) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (11)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-puff-pastry-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
I only had puff pastry sheets, but they turn out exactly the same…trust me. 😉 Remove the separators from the puff pastry and fold dough back together on it’s self. Use a 2 and 3/4 inch round cutter to cut out circles.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (12) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (12)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-circles-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Now use a 1 and 3/4 inch cutter to “mark” the centers of each circle. You don’t want to cut all the way through, you just want to score the dough about 3/4’s of the way through.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (13) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (13)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-centers-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Prick the center’s of each circle 3 or 4 times with a knife so the dough can vent while baking.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (14) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (14)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-prick-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Repeat with the second sheet of dough and place on prepared baking sheet.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (15) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (15)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-cook-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Bake for 15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (16) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (16)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-baked-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
I gently pushed down that shell int the back corner so it wasn’t tilted. 🙂 The shells will shrink down slightly as they cool, so don’t worry too much about it. Place shells on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
Use a sharp paring knife to cut around the inner circle and remove the top.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (17) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (17)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-cut-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Dust with sifted powdered sugar.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (18) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (18)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Lemon-Curd-Tarts-dust-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
and fill with lemon curd.
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (19) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (19)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Puff-Pastry-Lemon-Curd-Tarts-with-powdered-sugar-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
You will have more lemon curd that you need to fill 6 shells, so keep a spoon handy to finish off the leftovers. 😉
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (20) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (20)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Homemade-Lemon-Curd-on-a-spoon-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Cooking with Astrology Scorpio recipes
![Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (21) Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts (21)](https://i0.wp.com/cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cooking-with-Astrology-Meal-Scorpio-2014-cookingwithcurls.com_.jpg)
Rusty Nail co*cktail – Split Pea Soup – Cornish Pasties – Lemon Curd Tarts
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Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!
Tag @cookingwithcurls onInstagram&Facebookand leave a ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!
Enjoy!!
Lemon Curd Puff Pastry Tarts
These sweet and tangy Lemon Curd filled Puff Pastry Tarts are an impressive dessert that is quite simple to make!
4.17 from 112 votes
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Keyword: lemon, curd, tarts, recipe, puff, pastry, dessert
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 684kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson
Ingredients
Lemon Curd
- 0.5 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- .67 cups granulated sugar 2/3rds cup
- 2 eggs whole
- 2 eggs yolks only
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- pinch sea salt 1/16th teaspoon
- 1 pound Pepperidge Farms puff pastry sheets or shells 1 package
Instructions
To make the Lemon Curd:
Bring 1-inch of water to a boil in a large pot.
Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and sugar in a large stainless steel bowl, or double boiler.
Place over boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally until mixture thicken and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and whisk in butter, whisking until thoroughly melted and mixture is smooth.
Pour lemon curd into a sealed container and place in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.
For the Tarts:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Bake for 15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
Place on a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before filling.
Cut out the centers to make shells hollow, and dust with sifted powdered sugar.
Fill with lemon curd and serve.
Notes
- You will have leftover Lemon Curd. You can make more tarts or use it on toast.
- See original post for detailed instructions to make shells from a sheet of puff pastry.
Nutrition
Calories: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2.4mg