Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemons, zest of
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping)
  • confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Method

  • Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
  • Have ready an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1 Tablespoon of the zest, and let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.
  • Pour in the butter mixture in a fine stream, stirring with a fork, and continue stirring until the dough begins to come together when a small bit is pressed between your fingers.
  • Transfer the mixture to the tart pan and press it with your fingertips evenly up the side and into the bottom.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is light golden brown.
  • Let cool on a wire rack while making the filling.
  • Process the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar and the remaining 1 Tablespoon of zest in a food processor until the zest is finely ground.
  • Whisk together the eggs, the sugar and zest mixture, the lemon juice, and another pinchy of salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
  • Beat the cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a medium bowl just until it forms soft peaks.
  • Whisk the cream into the egg mixture until just blended.
  • Place a baking sheet in the oven, place the crust on the baking sheet, and pour the filling into the still-warm crust.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is just set in the center.
  • Let the pie cool on a wire rack.
  • Just before service, generously sift confectioners' sugar over the tart.
  • Cut into wedges and serve.
  • Note: You may wish to use slightly less zest than called for, and taste the batter.
  • My lemons were extremely powerful, and I only needed 1 1/2 Tablespoons total of zest.