A picture is worth 1000 words, or in this case, 1000 batches of lemon tarts. As mentioned in prior recipes (Chicken Scaloppine, Arugula Citrus Salad) I’ve got a lemon tree (and a tangelo tree) that keeps on giving. Ryan claims expertise in lemon bars, so I set to work to fulfill his requirements for a soft, creamy, slightly gooey, sweet, tart lemon bar. I lost track of how many batches I made, but THESE, my friend, are perfect. They’re more like lemon tarts than bars, based on their circular nature, but they received a rousing endorsement from the Ry-guy and I hope you enjoy them as much as he has, the neighbors have, the kids have…everyone within a one mile radius of our house have. Oh, and if you don’t have tangelos you can A) come to my house and take a bag full or B) substitute with oranges.
Lemon Tarts with Tangelo in less than a minute!
Think I can make them in less than a minute? I know, this joke is getting old. I’m corny. What else is new? But, you can watch me make these from start to finish in this week’s new recipe video. You can also watch the super secret technique to flattening the crusts. It proves that necessity is the mother of invention.
Want the full printable recipe? Keep scrolling…

Easy Lemon Tangelo Tarts
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 12 tarts 1x
Description
A twist on lemon bars turned into tangelo tarts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- zest of 4 tangelos (or oranges)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3/4 cup tangelo juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 Tbs melted butter
- 5 eggs (room temperature)
- confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F
- Combine 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup sugar in a mixing bowl and then add 1 cup flour until you get a soft crumbly consistency.
- Evenly divide dough between 12 muffin cups and smash down with a cup that is equally sized to the muffin cups.
- Bake muffin tin at 325F for 10 minutes until the “crusts” puff up slightly and cooked through, though not very browned.
- While the crusts bake, make the lemon filling. Combine the 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 2 Tbs melted butter and 5 eggs in a large mixing bowl and vigorously whisk, adding air to the eggs.
- Once the crusts are done baking, take them out of the oven to cool for at least five minutes.
- Add in the lemon and tangelo juices and the lemon and tangelo zests to the egg mixture then pour evenly into the 12 muffin tin cups filled with crusts.
- Place the tarts into the oven at 325F for 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake an additional 4 minutes, rotating the pan every 2 minutes until the centers of the tarts no longer jiggle when moved.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on the counter for 10 minutes then place the pan uncovered into the freezer to stop the cooking process and preserve the soft, gooey center.
- Keep in the freezer at least 20 minutes then transfer to the fridge until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, pop the tarts out of the pan by running a knife along the edge of each tart.
- Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar and seasonal fruit as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
*Original recipe by Joanie Simon (JoanieSimon.com)
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