Shake Up the Cookie Exchange with Flowery Lemon Tarts
Had your fill of dreary weather? Add a touch of spring to the dessert table! These lemon tarts are delicious, and the flower-shaped crust is a charming detail. They'll definitely stand-out among the pinwheels and thumbprint cookies at Christmas.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Curd
Zest from 3 lemons
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
5 large eggs
Juice from 3 lemons (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pie Crust
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
About 7 tablespoons ice-cold water
Related: When life gives you lemons, make these desserts!
Directions
1. Lemon Curd: Remove the zest from 3 lemons -- just the yellow from the skin. You can use a zesting grater or vegetable peeler. Blend the zest in a blender or food processor with the sugar until well blended, and the zest is very fine.
2. Cream the sugar mixture and butter together.
3. Then, one at a time, mix in the eggs, followed by the lemon juice and salt.
4. Pour into a large saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. It will start to thicken just before it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and allow to cool (refrigerating in a room-temperature container is fine, just cover the curd with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming).
5. Pie Crust: Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening until it makes a crumbly mixture. Gradually stir in the ice-cold water -- a tablespoon at a time -- until the dough forms a ball.
6. Wrap in the dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is fine).
7. Now it's time to assemble your lemon tartlets: Roll out pie crust evenly on a lightly-floured cutting board.
8. Use a 3.75 inch flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out miniature crusts.
9. Place the crusts gently in a lightly-greased mini-muffin pan.
10. Fill halfway with lemon curd (be careful not to overfill).
11. Bake at 375 degrees (190° C) for 18 minutes, or until the pastry starts to turn a golden color.
12. Allow to cool and serve. Enjoy!
-By Jillian Tohber Leslie
For 13 irresistible holiday pies, tarts and crumbles, visit Spoonful!
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