I know I totally bombarded you with desserts last week. Angel food cake with lemon curd. Coconut cake. Deliciousness (and a sugar coma) abounds.
Buuuuuut…I’m totally not done bombarding you with desserts. Hang in there with me for just one more bit of lemony goodness? And then I promise to give your sweet tooth (and blood sugar) a break with a savory recipe.
Besides, these little tartlets are adorable. You can’t not love an adorable dessert…right? And guess what: They’re totally easy.
You all know I’m not exactly what we would call a “semi-homemade” kind of girl. First of all, Sandra Lee is a nutcase. Secondly, it really opens the door for a lot of creepy preservatives and unidentifiable ingredients. Sketchy at best. So hang onto your hats when I tell you that the crust for these tartlets? Totally a shortcut.
As part of the Walkers Blogger Buzz ambassador program, I recently received a shipment of more shortbread cookies than my waistline knew what to do with. Ok, that’s a lie. I knew exactly what to do with them. I immediately ripped open one of the boxes and tore into those cookies with a voracity rarely seen outside of National Geographic documentaries. When I came up for air, I suddenly knew I wanted to make some sort of lemon bar and use the cookies as a shortcut shortbread crust.
You see, I didn’t feel the least bit guilty using Walkers cookies in my crust because I know that the ingredients that went into them are ingredients I can feel good about. Still run by the same family that founded the company in 1898, Walkers uses only the finest ingredients in their cookies: dairy from free-range, grass-fed cows, and no GMOS, artificial colors/flavors, preservatives, or hydrogenated fats. Only good ol’ butter, flour, sugar, and a pinch o’ salt.
These tartlets are essentially lemon bars in a convenient, pre-portioned tartlet package (I think they would be so pretty for a bridal shower or brunch, don’t you?), so I decided to make one batch using the Raspberry Thins and another with the Lemon Thins – and I loved them both! You can decide which you’d like to try…or just be like me and make them both. No one is judging here.
In fact, trying both should be easy for you, because Walkers is offering all EYHO readers 20% off all full-price items now through May 24. Just head over the Walkers website and enter the promo code EYHOSPRING at checkout to receive your discount!
While I received product from Walkers as part of the Blogger Buzz ambassador program, I received no monetary compensation and, as always, my opinions are 100% my own.
Lemon Bar Tartlets
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 4.2- ounce box Walkers Shortbread Raspberry or Lemon Thins
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For the filling:
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 cups of a muffin tin. Cut 1/2-inch wide strips of parchment paper and place into the cups of the muffin tin, allowing the ends to hang out on both sides. This will create a little "sling" that will make removing the tarts easier later.
- Place the cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Place the cookies in a bowl and mix with the brown sugar. Add the melted butter and stir to thoroughly combine (the mixture will still be crumbly - don't worry, there is enough butter in the cookies to hold the mixture together once baked).
- Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of the crust mixture into each of the muffin cups, pressing the mixture down into the bottom of the cup. (Using the bottom of something like a spice jar to tamp down the crumb mixture might make this easier.)
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, until the edges are golden.
- While the crust bakes, make the filling.
- In a medium bowl (or a large liquid measuring cup - this will make for easy pouring later), whisk together the eggs and sugar until light yellow. Add the lemon juice, zest, and flour and whisk thoroughly to combine.
- Once the crust comes out of the oven, pour the filling on top of the hot crust, equally distributing over each of the cups. Return to the oven and bake for another 9-11 minutes, until the centers are set.
- Allow to cool in the tin. To remove, run a paring knife around the edges, then use the "slings" to lift them out of the tin. Remove the parchment sling.
- Just before serving, dust the tops with powdered sugar.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
These are only the most dangerous things EVER – I could just lick the screen!
Surrrriously, girl. I had to immediately text a friend and promise to bring her a very exact number of these the next day to ensure that I didn’t promptly eat them all.
I love these! I made a Raspberry Lemon bar with my Walkers cookies. I need to try these!
Those cookies just beg to be paired with lemon, don’t they?
Gimmegimmegimmegimmegimme dat.
I just ordered my cookies and this cute little tin with Scotties on it that also gives a donation to ASPCA. 🙂 Cookies, good dessert and helped homeless animals. How great is that?
The beagles will be glad to see that tin, since it will probably get filled with dog treats.
Oooooooh a cooopin for yummy shortbread? Don’t mind if I do!! I’ve had Walker shortbread before and luuuv it! Your tartlets are so fun! You make yo momma proud, my friend!
AHHH you say cooopin, too! Reasons we are meant to be.
I’m in charge of the food planning for my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration & these are officially on the menu!! Thanks 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you love them!
Oh wow! Lemon bars are one of my favorite all time foods, EVER! I love the idea of using the raspberry shortbread cookies as the crust. I have been craving something with the raspberry and lemon flavor combination and racking my brain for a way to combine them. Thanks for solving my problems… or maybe making more for my waistline. 😉
Hmm.. ok I have no clue if my last comment went through?? So sorry if this is a double comment! basically you’re awesome and these tartlets are too adorable.
Oh how did you know lemon desserts are my favorite? These look awesome!
I made them just for you! You just have to come visit me to get one. 😉
I don’t know if you know this or not, but lemon makes me squee. And dance. A lot. I’m dancing right now.
Which says to me that you have preemptively worked off any and all calories involved here. 😉
anything with the word lemon in it, I’m in!!!!