A gorgeous Lemon Tart recipe with a buttery, rich Macadamia Nut Crust. Decorate the top of this pretty tart with some homemade Whipped Cream. Don’t forget to make your own Lemon Curd!
Fellow lemon lovers, have you tried my Lemon Crunch Cookies yet? I could eat them constantly. Or give our delicious Lemon Cupcakes a try soon!
Why this Recipe Works
This lemon tart recipe is impressive enough for a special occasion AND easy enough that anyone can make it. No pastry expertise required!
- A macadamia nut crust gives the tart a rich nutty flavor. It’s the perfect complement to tangy lemon curd.
- You’ll love the contrast of textures in this lemon tart: crisp crust, a soft center and fluffy whipped cream.
- Use store bought lemon curd or homemade!
- Lemon tart looks gorgeous on any table.
No need to visit France to enjoy this delicious French dessert recipe.
Ingredient Notes
- Lemon curd. I use my Easy Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe for the lemon tart center. You’re welcome to use your favorite store bought version instead.
- Vanilla sugar. You can use granulated sugar instead but I promise you won’t regret making a batch of Vanilla Sugar. It’s a delicious way to add more dimension to all your baked goods.
- Unsalted butter. Make sure to use very cold butter for the crust.
- Macadamia Nuts. The perfect salty complement to the sweet crust. Swap them out for cashews or pecans if you can’t find them!
Easy Instructions
Lemon tart consists of three parts: crust, filling and topping.
To make the crust:
- Pulse the nuts with sugar until fine. Add salt and flour then pulse to combine. Pulse in the butter a little at a time to form a sticky dough.
- Press the dough onto the bottom of a tart pan. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
For the filling:
- Spoon prepared lemon curd over the cooled crust.
To make the whipped cream topping:
- Use an electric mixer to beat heavy whipping cream with vanilla sugar on high until stiff peaks form.
- This takes 2 – 3 minutes depending on the strength of your mixer.
To serve:
- Pipe whipped cream onto the tart.
- Use frosting bags fitted with tips to create your desired patterns.
Recipe FAQs
Cashews would be delicious in this crust. Almonds and pecans sound like great choices too.
You can definitely use store bought whipped cream if you’re in a hurry. However, it won’t have quite the same richness and freshness as homemade.
You can use either regular granulated sugar or powdered sugar as a substitute for the vanilla sugar.
More Lemon Desserts
- Lemon Cheesecake Cake
- Lemon Brownies
- Lemon Ricotta Cookies
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Lemon Bars
- Lemon Cheesecake
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Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup macadamia nuts
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter cold
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups lemon curd
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup vanilla sugar or granulated sugar, if desired
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse brown sugar, nuts and granulated sugar until finely crushed. Add flour and salt and pulse to combine. Add butter, one tablespoon at a time. Should form a sticky dough.
- Press dough into bottom of a 9-inch tart pan (or use a springform pan). Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
- When cooled, fill tart with lemon curd.
- For the whipped cream, beat heavy cream with vanilla sugar on high for 2-3 minutes until soft peaks form. Pipe onto tart. ENJOY.
Notes
- Lemon curd- use store bought or make homemade lemon curd using my delicoius recipe!
- Vanilla Sugar- You can use powdered sugar if desired, or use my homemade vanilla sugar recipe!
- Tart pan or spring form pan. A tart pan might be the traditional choice but a regular spring form cake pan works too! Line the bottom of the pan with the crust dough, gently pressing it a little up the sides.
- Storing. Keep lemon tart refrigerated until ready to serve. If not enjoying right away, wait to add the whipped cream to the tart until just before serving.
- Use cold butter. Place your butter in the freezer for 5 – 10 minutes before adding to the crust. Super cold butter helps create a flaky tart crust texture.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Raise your hand if you want a slice of homemade Lemon Tart! With macadamia nut crust and vanilla whipped cream, this divine dessert will have everyone begging you for the recipe!
Amazing! I could use a slice (or two) right now! And that crust – to die for!
Thanks Chung-Ah!!!
As if I wasn’t excited enough about the homemade lemon curd, then you throw this crazy awesome tart at me?! Sigh – Aimee if you keep this up my blog is just going to turn into “all i want to eat is shugary sweets” lol 😉
LOL Jess!! I feel that way reading other blogs too 🙂
Excellent suggestion! Thank you!
I knew you had something fabulous up your sleeve when I saw the lemon curd recipe yesterday. I am especially in love with this macadamia nut crust Aimee!
Thanks Sally, the crust is to die for!!!
This looks gorgeous and so yummy!
Oh my gosh I need to make that crust! We had a tart with macadamia nuts and caramel when we were on vacation a few years ago… it was sooo good. I’ve been meaning to try to re-create it at home forever!
I am in love with these photos, Aimee! Absolutely gorgeous!
Yesssssss I knew when I saw the lemon curd recipe you were making it for some other tasty purpose. This looks amazing!
Thanks Kelly. Although to be honest, I could have just eaten that lemon curd straight from the jar!
Nicely done Aimee!! I’m off to buy some lemons!
Looks so nice and bright!
Holy heaven, that looks sunny, fresh, and delicious! Your photos are gorgeous – I just love the whipped cream on that beautiful, yellow lemon curd. I agree, homemade lemon curd is a must and its easy! Thx for the leftover whipped cream tip. I always make too much, and my kids will sure love shaped whipped cream!
You’re welcome Marcie. Aside from eating the whipped cream to get rid of it, the freezing trick is what we do!!
I don’t even like lemon desserts, and I am pretty sure I’m going to make this tomorrow! It’s mouthwatering to look at.
Don’t like lemon? Oh my it’s one of my favorites. If you prefer orange or lime you can totally substitute those for the lemon.
What a stunner! And the crust sounds totally tempting on its own.
The crust is absolutely addicting. I can’t say it enough!!
With the cold weather howling at the door, I need a bright sunshiny dessert to warm me up! Hello tropical tart! I am totally loving that crust with the yummy lemon curd topping!!!
Your photos made me drool. For real. I need one of these tarts, stat.
You had me at macadamia crust! This tart looks so tropical which is exactly what I need in the middle of winter.
Haha, I totally need tropical too!
Oh man! You had me at lemon curd! And that crust – heavens! Gorgeous!
Thanks Trish! The crust was definitely a key player in this tart!!
OMG I MUST make that crust. MUST. And the tart is so pretty Aimee! I’m seriously crushing on this tart.
Haha, I knew you’d love the crust. AND the lemon!! Wish I could have made this for you for REAL!
I love that macadamia crust, and the whipped cream shape trick! I’ve never made shapes from whipped cream–so clever! 🙂
We love homemade whipped cream in our hot cocoa!! A fun treat 🙂
The macadamia crust sounds amazing! I didn’t realize how easy lemon curd is to make. I have all four of those ingredients! Thanks for the recipe, Aimee. 🙂
Totally easy Crystal. And delicious!!