Mini fruit tart anyone? These lemon cream tarts with berries are creamy, dreamy and the perfect summertime treat! Homemade lemon curd is folded into whipped cream, poured into mini tart shells and topped with the season’s freshest berries!
Pretty exciting news! As you all probably know, Canada just had Victoria Day weekend and now the US have their upcoming Memorial Day weekend. So, basically, it’s the unofficial start of the summer season! A big yay to that!
These lemon cream tarts using store bought mini tart shells is an an easy summer dessert that’s a crowd pleaser!
Though Newfoundland blueberries are not in season just yet, they are simply the best, but I’m a little biased, of course!
Newfoundland has the sweetest, juiciest berries around. Growing up, there was a field alongside my home and they were so plentiful. You could just go out and grab them by the handful. How cool is that?
What Is Lemon Cream?
This particular lemon cream recipe is simply two ingredients: homemade lemon curd and whipped cream. You simply mix both together and it’s ready to use. Easy, huh?
It’s not quite a lemon mousse because it doesn’t have egg white and it’s not as airy as mousse. Rather, it’s richer/denser and so creamy dreamy.
How To Make Lemon Cream Tarts
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Bake store-bought mini tart shells and lay to one side.
- Make lemon curd. Let cool completely.
- Whip cream until nice and fluffy.
- Gently fold cooled lemon curd into whipped cream.
- Assemble! Portion lemon cream into mini tart shells and garnish with fresh berries and drizzle with white chocolate.
- Enjoy!
Can I Use Store Bought Lemon Curd Instead of Homemade?
Totally!
It will save time, especially in a pinch.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- As mentioned above, it is important to allow the lemon curd to cool completely before adding to cool whipped cream!
- Use whatever berries are fresh or whatever you have on hand! Strawberries or pitted cherries are also lovely additions.
- Brands or varieties of mini tart shells may vary in size. Therefore, the quantity you yield may vary.
- Try shaved white chocolate over top instead of melted white chocolate; both options are delicious!
- If you have any leftover lemon cream, just enjoy as is without the tarts, with your favourite slice of pie or even with ice cream! There’s no going wrong, if you ask me!
More Easy Desserts
Hope you love these mini lemon tarts as much as we do!
If you make these mini fruit tarts, be sure to leave a comment below!
This recipe was originally published in May 2016 but has been updated.
Lemon Cream Tarts With Berries
Ingredients
Lemon Curd
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…“ cup sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 5 egg yolks, yolks only, not egg whites
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Garnishes and Other Tart Components
- 1.5 cup fresh blackberries
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- â…“ cup white chocolate chips, melted
- 24 mini pastry shells or tarts
Instructions
Lemon Curd and Tarts
- Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Stir in salt and sugar.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, zest, and egg yolks.
- Place mixture back on heat, whisk and cook until mixture coats back of spoon, about 5 to 8 minutes. Don't boil.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any egg solids (this makes your lemon curd extra creamy). You can use a spoon or spatula to encourage the curd to go through the sieve, while leaving any solid bits.Â
- Pour the curd into a storage jar. Allow the curd to cool slightly before covering. Place the curd in the refrigerator to COOL COMPLETELY for a few hours before folding into the cream. Curd will thicken further as it cools.  Note: You can make lemon curd a day ahead to save time the day you are making the tarts.
- Bake pastry shells according to package instructions and then let cool. Set aside.
Whipped Cream
- To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add heavy cream and sugar. Whisk on medium-high for about 2 to 3 minutes or until you have stiff peaks.
To Assemble Tarts
- Slowly add curd to whipped cream. GENTLY fold in. Equally distribute lemon cream among tarts, top with a few berries and drizzle with melted white chocolate or sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Quantity of tarts may vary slightly depending on the exact size of your mini tarts or shells. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
marcie
I love mini desserts, and these tarts are just adorable! I love the lemon – berry combination!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Marcie!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
Summertime sweet treat indeed! I’m not a huge dessert person, but I LOVE berry tarts! I will pick that over something chocolatey any day of the week! You seriously can’t beat a lemon cream paired with fresh berries! These looks gorgeous!
Girl Heart Food
I agree, Kathleen! You certainly can’t beat that combo. So fresh and light for the warmer Summer months (although still waiting for that around here yet, lol). Thanks so much for the kind comment 🙂
David @ Spiced
I would love to visit Newfoundland sometime, Dawn! But kissing a cod? I dunno know about that one…haha! I would, however, gladly kiss one of these lemon cream tarts. (And by kiss, I mean shove my face into it.) I’ve always loved picking wild berries, and I’m currently on a never-ending quest to find a wild blackberry bush somewhere near my house here in upstate NY. There has to be one somewhere…I know it… 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha! I know what you mean, David. I wouldn’t want to kiss a cod, either. Luckily, being from here I don’t have to, lol. Yeah, pretty easy to eat those tarts. And they’re so tiny, it’s hard not to eat a bunch 🙂 Wild berries are the best, aren’t they? Good luck on your search for a blackberry bush! I’m sure you’ll have fun trying to find it and perhaps a picnic (or two) along the way 😉
lucie
Shame Newfoundland is nowhere near England, it sounds like THE most awesome place ever! And those tarts though! Lemon, cream and berries? Droooooooling over here! And they are the cutest little things too!
Girl Heart Food
It most certainly is awesome, Lucie! Lots of things to see, do and our own unique recipes, but we do love our fish-n-chips like you guys ;)Thanks for the comment 🙂 Happy you like the recipe, girl!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
I was already drooling when I saw the picture of your lemon cream tarts on Instagram! White chocolate drizzle and berries on top of lemon cream and pastry – what a combination! Newfoundland sounds amazing, would love to visit one day.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks very much, Miriam! I could just about eat all of ’em myself, lol. Newfoundland is pretty amazing. I’m sure you would love it! Thanks for the sweet comments and have a great weekend 🙂
Tracy | Baking Mischief
All those summer activities make me want to visit Newfoundland. I clicked on that whale watching link–I didn’t know Newfoundland had puffins!! (I don’t know where I thought puffins lived, but it wasn’t Canada 😉 ) Now I want to visit even more!
These tarts look amazing. I love the lemon and berry combo and the white chocolate is just a delightful bonus. I’m not a summer person, but I guess it can be summer if I get to eat these with it. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha! Little chuckle out of that one 😀 Lots to see around here, that’s for sure!
Thanks so much, Tracy! I think my favourite season is probably Fall, but Summer would be second for sure. I love the crisp, cool air of September/October….not too warm/not too cold. Thanks for the lovely comments 🙂 Have a great upcoming weekend, girl!
Adina
Perfect looking tarts! I love those berries. I am baking this for sure this summer.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Adina! Enjoy 🙂
Candice @ Whole Health Hacks
Oh my, these look SO tasty! I am also preemptively celebrating summer with all the delicious seasonal produce and summer-y treats. I’ll have to add these to the list of things to make! Thanks for sharing!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Candice! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
These are just adorable Dawn and I bet they taste just as good! Perfect for summer parties! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Mary Ann, for the sweet comment and Pin! Much appreciated 🙂 Enjoy your upcoming holiday weekend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I’ve never had a Newfoundland berry before… hmm maybe you should ship me some when they are in season because I’m all for some spectacularly sweet berries! 😉 LOVE these little tarts, Dawn! I just adore anything mini, fresh fruit is where it is at and I’ll eat that lemon cream by the spoonful! These beauties are totally winning and perfect for the holiday (well.. the US holiday) weekend. Cheers, dear! xo
Girl Heart Food
They are awesome! Like, seriously, the best. Even better when they are picked myself right from the bush. Thanks Cheyanne! I love mini food too….just too cute. Something about it, isn’t it? Though, I would definitely eat my fair share, lol. And eating the lemon cream by the spoonful? Yeap, I’ve done that 😀 Have a lovely long holiday weekend, friend! Lots of chilling!! xo
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
Girl, those are some gorgeous tarts! You totally made me want to visit Newfoundland now, see everything on your list, and pick me some delicious berries!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Rachelle!! I say go for it 😉 You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by, girlie 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina
Oh my….now I really want to pack a picnic and visit Ferryland! And of course these little beauties would be the piece de resistance of our meal! YUM! And so so pretty….
Girl Heart Food
I don’t blame you, Annie! It is so beautiful there! You could sit there all day and take in the beautiful sites while munching away on your picnic. Thanks for the comments, girl!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
These are so lovely! I need at least one for each hand and I know I’d be going back for me (mini means I can eat more, right?) I’m all about the berries this season and this is such a delicious way to eat them! Pinned!
Also, I know must immediately book my vacation – I’m sold that I need to come visit Newfoundland asap!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kathryn! YES, definitely! They are only small, so you could certainly eat more than one or two and not feel the least bit guilty about it 😉 They certainly didn’t last long when I made them. Plus, there’s berries and lemon in there so it’s basically like you’re eating a piece of fruit. I’m sure you would love Newfoundland. Thanks for the sweet comment and Pin. xo
Alida @ Simply Delicious
I would be the person at the bbq standing in the corner scoffing these one by one. They look simply scrumptious!
Girl Heart Food
Sounds like me, lol. Thanks so much, Alida, and for stopping by 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I am so excited that summer is almost here! And hooray for a three day weekend! I hope the weather is nice and warm for us both. These tarts look SO good, Dawn! The lemon and blueberry combo go together just perfectly. Such a fun list of summer time treats!
Girl Heart Food
I know, me too, Gayle! Thank you so much! They’re little one bites of yumminess (but I never eat just one, lol). Have an awesome weekend too!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
These are so pretty and summery – and one of my favorite parts is that I won’t have to share! I’m definitely not a good sharer when it comes to dessert. 🙂 Happy long weekend!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kate! Yeap, no sharing involved 😉 We just had our long weekend last weekend here in Canada, but I’ll have a beverage to toast you guys this weekend.