Easy Lemon Meringue Tart

Ingredients

• TART CRUST
• 100 g butter, softened
• 60 g sugar
• Finely grated lemon zest
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 160 g plain flour
• 1/3 tsp baking powder
• CITRUS CURD
• 100 g mandarin or lemon juice
• 15 g sugar
• 7 g cornflour
• 1 egg
• MERINGUE
• 30 g egg whites
• 60 g icing sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Grease a small tart tin.
3. Beat the butter, sugar, lemon zest, salt and vanilla sugar until smooth.
4. Add the egg yolks and mix until combined.
5. Mix in the flour and baking powder to form a soft dough.
6. Press the dough evenly into the base and sides of the tart tin.
7. Prick the base lightly with a fork.
8. Bake for approximately 18–20 minutes, until lightly golden.
9. Leave the tart shell to cool.
10. For the citrus curd, whisk the juice, sugar, cornflour and egg in a saucepan.
11. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
12. Cover the surface and leave the curd to cool completely.
13. Whisk the egg whites until foamy.
14. Gradually add the icing sugar.
15. Whisk until the meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks.
16. Spread the cooled citrus curd inside the tart shell.
17. Top evenly with the meringue.
18. Briefly brown the meringue with a kitchen torch, if desired.
19. Serve once the filling has set.