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Lemon Tarts

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Beautiful Rebecca is on Faces of Beauty today!

 

This past weekend I went on a shopping spree.  Well, sort of.  A shopping spree for me tends to mean that I go somewhere (in this case TJ Maxx) with the intent of buying a bunch of stuff.  Then I find a bunch of stuff…great jeans, T’s, cardigans, bargain summer clothes…and inevitably walk out with nothing.

 

And by nothing I mean one kitchen item.  And no clothes.

 

Hey, it’s what I do.

Y’all, is it normal that I would much rather wear ratty T-shirts and workout shorts and splurge on a gear-filled kitchen instead?  That seems pretty normal to me, but Nate swears it’s not.

Hey, normal is boring 🙂  And I think I categorically say that I am NOT normal.

I mean that in a good way.

So yes, the food.  I bought some mini tart pans and instantly considered my options with what I had on hand at home:  banana cream pie, another tatin, perhaps an apple crumble…

Then I realized:  one of my favorite desserts in the ENTIRE world (emphasis on ‘entire’) is lemon bars.  So much so that when my mother-in-law remarried she asked for lemon bars the size of a grown man’s head at her reception.  I still don’t know how I can ever repay her for that one.

It’s simple:  rather than making the entire thing in a 9×13 pan like you would normally do you press the dough into a tart pan instead.  And there you have it:  glorified lemon bars.  Hey, I think they deserve a lot of glory.  There’s no need to worry about it being high enough on the edges as the butter (mmmmmmmmmmm, buttah) will make the entire thing slide down anyway.  After baking off the crust you’ll have to take a measuring cup and press the crust up around the edges before pouring the filling in.

No big deal.

P.S. below is a picture of the microplane Nate got me for my birthday!  I am so in love with that thing it’s not even funny…do you guys realize how much easier it is to grate stuff on these bad boys?!?!

Obviously lemons are involved.  In case you couldn’t tell from my header I adore their bright, sunny color.  They can bright up any sugar-filled dessert day.

MINI LEMON TARTS (OR JUST ONE NORMAL-SIZED TART)

based on Paula Deen’s Lemon Bar recipe

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 stick butter, room temperature
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • zest of 2 lemons

Preheat your oven to 350.  Grease your tart pans (whatever size you choose)  In a large bowl, crumble together the flour, powdered sugar, and butter.  And yes, with your hands!  There’s nothing quite like using your hands to mix things…it’s raw, primal, and a ton of fun.  What’s not to love?  Anyway, lightly press the dough into your tart pan(s) and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until the crust takes on a golden brown color.  Let cool slightly and, using the bottom of a measuring cup, press the dough up around the edges being careful not to break it.

While you’re baking the crust, mix together the eggs, lemon juice, sugar, flour, and zest.  As soon as the dough has been pressed around the edges pour the lemon mixture in.  Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes for mini tarts and for about 20-25 minutes larger tarts.

Feel free to sprinkle powdered sugar on top for good measure 🙂

I only made two, one for me and one for Nate, and I just about ate his several times.  Good thing he came home to stop me, because his would have been GONE.

A girl only has so much self control, you know?

Too bad the next day I ate his without telling him.  Oops 😉

Happy Tuesday guys!  I have a surprise tomorrow…stay tuned!

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Comments

  6. I have a love-hate relationship with shopping. I don’t know how many times I’m in the buying mood but end up with nothing in hand. And then there are the days where I don’t really have anything in mind and come away with a bunch of things!

    Reply

  7. i am in the same camp as you are – i would totally rather shop for my kitchen than shop for clothes!

    i have that same microplane and it is the best thing ever!

    Reply

  9. Out of all the things I have seen you make, THIS is what I will request upon our first meeting. 😉 LOL

    I love lemon tarts. Yours look perfect.

    Reply

  12. I simply adore all lemon flavored sweets. Crazy as it sounds, I will choose them over chocolate any day.

    And you are normal for wanting to buy kitchen items instead of clothes – that would make me normal too 🙂

    Reply

  30. Looks amazing, that grater thingy is pretty cool!

    I NEED to try this!! 🙂

    I can totally relate to your tjmaxx experience!

    Enjoy your Tuesday, sweets 😉 <3 Gina

    Reply

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