lemon clementine tart with macadamia nut shortbread crust

over easter weekend we made two desserts for easter sunday.

in addition to our carrot cake cupcakes, we also made a lemon clementine tart with macadamia nut shortbread crust.

i always find citrus desserts to be so refreshing, and this dessert certainly did not disappoint.

this tart incorporates both lemons and clementines for a bright citrus flavor.  it is delicate, light, and creamy all at the same time.

the macadamia nut shortbread crust is the perfect base for this tart.  the shortbread-style crust is buttery and rich, and the macadamia nuts give the crust a complex nutty flavor which really compliments the citrus filling.

it is the perfect spring time dessert!

lemon clementine tart with macadamia nut shortbread crust
prep time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 5 minutes
baking time: 25-30 minutes
yields: one 9-inch round tart
adapted from love and olive oil

crust ingredients:
3/4 cup unsalted macadamia nuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
8 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon cold water

filling ingredients:
7 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1 large lemon
2 cuties clementines
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons heavy cream

directions:
preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.  to make the crust, place the nuts in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground.  add the flour and powdered sugar, and pulse until combined.  cut the butter into small cubes and evenly distribute it on top of the mixture, then pulse until the butter is incorporated.  while the food processor is running, drizzle the water into the mixture.  remove the dough from the bowl of the food processor.

firmly press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom.  bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.  remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire cooling rack.

to make the filling, in a medium sauce pan, whisk together the egg yolks and eggs.  set aside.  zest and juice the lemon and the clementines.  you should have approximately 1/2 cup of citrus zest and 2/3 cup of citrus juice.  finely chop the citrus zest and combine it in a separate bowl with the granulated sugar.  rub the citrus zest and the sugar together to release the oils in the zest.  add the sugar, zest, and juice to the sauce pan with the eggs.  whisk well until combined.  add the butter and cook the filling over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the filling thickens slightly and reaches 170 degrees F (about 5 minutes).  remove the filling from the heat and pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass bowl.  stir in the heavy cream.

pour the filling into the tart shell.  place the tart pan on a baking sheet and bake until the filling is shiny and opaque (about 10-15 minutes).  the center will jiggle slightly when shaken.  remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire cooling rack.  once the tart has cooled completely, refrigerate it until ready to serve.

enjoy!

love, laurie