TWD: Lemon Tart Brulee

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I love lemon desserts. I really, really, really love them! Lemon pie? Love! Lemon cake? Love! Lemon cupcakes, cookies, custards? Love, Love, Love! And, lemon tarts? Double Love! Needless to say, I was elated to learn that this week's TWD selection was Dorie's Tartest Lemon Tart, chosen by Babette from Babette Feasts.

This recipe is a bit unconventional as the filling is made with whole lemons. That's right, folks. The. Whole. Entire. Lemon. You just whiz the lemons up in the food processor or blender, add the rest of the filling ingredients, pour it all into a crunchy, nutty pate sable and bake. What you end up with is a smooth, sweet and creamy lemon tart with just the perfect amount of pucker power. I'm telling you, this tart is pure sunshine on a plate!

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Dorie's recipe calls for her sweet tart dough with nuts. I would normally have used almonds, except that I didn't have any. What I did have was a bag of toasted hazelnut flour, so I used some of that. I think it was a good alternative.

As delicious as this tart tasted, it wasn't really all that pretty to look at. It had a few little cracks and bubbles on the surface. While trying to figure out how to camouflage those blemishes, I decided to throw some sugar on top and brulee it. It worked perfectly! The top had that burnished, glassy finish on it that got all crackly when I cut into it. I served the tart for dessert on Mother's Day and it went so fast that I almost didn't get any pictures!

If you'd like to make Dorie's tart for yourself, the recipe can be found in her book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, as well as on Babette's site. If you need some more convincing, check out all of the other fabulous lemon tarts over on the Tuesdays with Dorie site.

Comments

Nina said…
Hello Susan, your presentation is fabulous. The food is exquisite.
Compliments!
Manggy said…
I had to do a double-take when you said it wasn't pretty. That is one of the best presentations of this tart I've seen! :) Totally drool-worthy :)
Ciao Chow Linda said…
That is one delicious and beautiful looking tart. I love the flowers strewn about and the yellow dish too. Thanks for your help again.
Lemon is my chocolate so this is a perfect dish for me.I had heard of a recipe recently that used the entire orange, skin and all, so this is something I have to try.
vibi said…
Oh! so very Frehc looking, Oui! Oui! Susan!!! LOL

I love the way it cuts, the portion it gives... and most of all, how you decided to enhance it with lavender and delicate lemon twists! Lovely!
the brulee makes it gorgeous! perfect mother's day dessert!!
ooooooooooooooooh.
That looks to die for amazing. I am still under a dessert veto imposed by my husband (no more baking because his summer trousers are tight) but this is going on my ever growing Things To Bake List!!!
Teanna said…
Are you serious?! I think that tart is SO beautiful to look at! It is gorgeous and your presentation is wonderful!
Beautiful tart. I'm very into lemon desserts too. I'm glad we were able to see a photo of it.
Hindy said…
I love that rectangular pan. It makes for an elegant slice. Glad you enjoyed!
Katrina said…
I loved this tart, too! LOVE the brulee idea. Looks great, as always.
Madam Chow said…
Beautiful presentation! And I agree that this tart is a winner. I'm going to be making it again, and experimenting with different crusts.
anna said…
The brulee is gorgeous and sounds very yummy. And I REALLY want one of those rectangular tart pans - I've nearly bought one several times now.
A delightful and unusual tart! Really tempting!

Cheers,

Rosa
Jennifer said…
The bruleed top looks so pretty! I don't think it's an ugly dessert, at all, the rectangle shape is really elegant, too.
Sara said…
I love the rectangular tart pan, it makes such interesting slices.
Anonymous said…
No worry about cracks and bubbles here. They give even more character to a dessert that's guaranteed to be good anyways!
Lys said…
GORGEOUS Susan! The presentation is top notch, as always.
Cristine said…
Looks great! I love that pan!
CookiePie said…
I think it looks great! And I bet it's just delicious :)
Anonymous said…
Your tart looks wonderful. I love the lavender on top. Gorgeous!
Snooky doodle said…
oh this looks so nice. I love the brulee top. Great idea
Mary said…
Lovely presentation...I love the lavender on top...
Linda said…
I was hoping that someone would go out on a limb and brulee this tart. What a lovely treat for Mom's Day --- beautiful job!
Tangled Noodle said…
That's one tasty tart! The brulee is such a great idea - I need one of those little blowtorch thingys!
des photos très printanières avec ces petites violettes ! c'est magnifique !
moi aussi, je l'ai fait façon tarte brûlée :)
Anonymous said…
Your tart is gorgeous, with the brulee and the lovely herbs. Great work!
Steph said…
I think it's absolutely gorgeous! A little colour is always better than pale!!
Patsyk said…
Your tart is stunning! I love lemon desserts!
Anonymous said…
Looks and sounds perfect. And the brule gives it just a little bit of caramelized sweet crunch. Double perfect! Lovely photos, as always, Susan!
smc said…
Your site is always a treat for the eyes! Love it.
Cakelaw said…
Gorgeous Susan - I love the lavendar on top.
Debbie said…
What a beautiful Tart. It sounds delicious and a bit different since it uses the whole lemon!!! Wonderful...I also love lemon desserts!
Shari said…
Your sunshine on a plate looks amazing and I love the Brulee topping. Brilliant idea!
Thistlemoon said…
Susan! This is absolute perfection! I love this! Did you use lavender in it? Lavender and lemon are awesome together - they look beautiful together too!
Lisa said…
More lovely lemon tarts..... and your brulee is inspired!
The pictures are just luscious lemon all over and the pretty lavender is a most appealing touch.
Lori Lynn said…
Sounds lovely. Darling photos too.
LL
Unknown said…
Love your presentation! I recently picked up a rectangular tart pan and can't wait to try it out. So glad your tart was a hit!
Maris said…
Every time I read a post about Tuesdays with Dorie it's all I can do but run out and buy her book! I love that the tart is bruleed, it makes it so much more unique than the average lemon tart!
Mermaid Sews said…
What amazing photos, love the purple flowers and lavender. Your cake looks awesome.
Piggy said…
Your tart looks fabulous! Agree that this is not the greatest looking tart (mine included!), but I like your idea of make it a creme brulee version!
Ingrid_3Bs said…
That was pure genius to brulee-ing(sp?)the tart! MMMMMM!

Hope you and your mom had a wonderful mother's day!
~ingrid
AmyRuth said…
Very Elegant Tart! I think its beautiful even if you didn't he he he. It was good too. Don't you think?
Hope you had fun.
AmyRuth
J.L. Danger said…
Every tuesday I want to get her book! And then make like every recipe in it at once!
TeaLady said…
Love your long beautiful tart. Fantastic!!

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