The older I get the more likely I am to say yes to a citrus cake or tart rather than chocolate. Back in the day I was a regular chocophiliac, as my dad would say, but now I much prefer the subtle zing of zest from any citrus fruit to chocolate.
Lemon is probably my favourite, for its freshness, availability and versatility . Lemon zest and lemon juice can lift a dessert from meh to marvellous. I have been known to buy lemons for no other purpose than to strip them of their zest for my baking endeavours, leaving denuded lemons looking sad and rejected in the fruit bowl.
This easy lemon tart is a snap to make, and even easier to eat. It requires a handful of pantry staples and can thrown together in no time at all, making it a perfect dessert for unexpected invites to BBQs or morning teas.
Serve with double cream or yogurt.
GATHER:
Base:
1 cup self-raising flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup caster sugar
60g butter, at room temperature, diced
topping
60mL freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup caster sugar
60g butter, diced
1 egg
handful toasted coconut flakes
LET’S GET TO IT:
Preheat oven to 180C and grease an 18cm round tart tin with removable base with non-stick cooking spray.
In the bowl of electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together for three minutes until combined, and then beat in the flour and egg.
When it forms a soft dough press it into the tart tin – it will be very sticky and tricky to spread over the base of the tin. Use a spatula and just persevere – it will get there in the end.
Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the topping: Place all the topping ingredients except the coconut flakes into a small saucepan and stir over a very low heat until it is all combined and thick like custard. Keep a close eye on it as it can easily curdle.
When base is cooked set aside for 30 minutes before pouring topping evenly over base, then sprinkle with coconut flakes
Allow to cool then place in fridge for a few hours to firm up. Serve at room temperature.
the hungry mum 
My son has become a keen maker of lemon tarts so I will give him the recipe and hope I can enjoy the result. Looks delicious and the coconut flakes are a great idea to take some of the zing out.
Thanks. I hope your son enjoys making this – and you enjoy eating it 🙂
The coconut flakes make it so lovely!
I adore coconut flakes 🙂
Im a big time chocoholic but I would a slice of your lemon tart any day! Looks so luscious! x
Awww, ta 🙂 That’s v kind.
That look so so delicious!!!
Div
Ta Div 🙂 Have a fab weekend.
I adore fruit desserts and have always preferred them to chocolate ones! Especially after a heavy meal 🙂
Yes – the citrus is almost like a palate cleanser 😉
I adore citrus tarts and Kid 1 has been nagging me to make one. Yours looks tops!
Awww, ta Lisa 🙂 This is super dooper easy and faff-free. Kid 1 has fab taste, BTW x
This looks heavenly! Lemons really do make amazing desserts!!
Yes! Lemon deserts for the win 🙂
Gorgeous tart! It looks amazing!
thanks Antonia 🙂 It was so lush.
This looks so fresh & delicious!
Cheers Jen – I love some zest in my baked goods x
I often go for citrus over chocolate when I order dessert. It’s hard to go past that delightful zing! Your lemon tart looks really lovely.
This looks stunning! I’m way behind on blogs so I’m catching up when I should be going to sleep. Now all I want to do is find cake!
Staying up to date with blogs is a full time job! Sending cyber cake x
love the idea of coconut flakes being used with the lemon filling, yummo!