This 5-ingredient Speculoos lemon tart is the easiest dessert out there. Prepared with a Biscoff pie crust and a no-fail lemon filling, it’s creamy, refreshing and utterly delicious!
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Here’s the perfect recipe for every beginner baker! Ready in no time, this lemon tart is just impossible to fail. I’ve baked it countless times over the years and it’s also my husband’s favorite recipe to bake – or should I say, it’s the only dessert he bakes!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert recipe, this is it. Let me say it one more time: you just can’t go wrong with this lemon tart. With just 5 ingredients and very minimal effort you get a perfectly smooth and creamy lemon tart on top of a crispy gingerbread-like Speculoos bottom. Also, unlike many lemon tart recipes, it holds its shape beautifully when you slice it. Believe me, your guests will ask for some more!
Why you’ll LOVE this lemon tart
- Super EASY to make!
- 5 ingredients only
- Subtle refreshing flavors
- A luscious and super creamy filling
- A quick Biscoff pie crust
An EASY lemon tart recipe
I tested many lemon tart recipes in the past, but none of them really convinced me. They are either too runny or too thick, unless you go for the bakery-style Lemon Meringue Pie, prepared with lemon curd. The latter tastes amazing but it’s time-consuming to make and it’s mostly for the advanced bakers.
So I looked for an EASY lemon tart recipe without lemon curd. I eventually stumbled upon this version using condensed milk, 2 eggs, lemon, and no added sugar. The use of very few ingredients piqued my curiosity and I decided to give it a go. That was years ago, and now I just know the recipe by heart (and so does my husband)!
What goes into this lemon tart recipe?
- Lemons. The recipe calls for whole lemons rather than ready-to-use lemon juice. Not only it will bring some deeper refreshing flavors, but you will also need to use the zest.
- Sweetened condensed milk. Note that the recipe calls for “sweetened” condensed milk. This is very important since it’s the only sweetener used in this lemon tart.
- Eggs. You need 2 whole large eggs (no need to separate the white and the yolk here).
- Speculoos biscuits (aka Lotus biscuits). Unlike the traditional lemon tart prepared with a shortbread crust, this one uses crumbs from Speculoos biscuits. It adds a delicious caramelized and gingerbread-like flavor to the tart.
- Butter. You need it for the biscuit crust only, to combine with and bring moisture to the biscuit crumbs.
A 3-step lemon tart
- Start with the Biscoff base. Crush the biscuits into a crumb-like texture, then combine with melted butter and line in the bottom of the pan. Note that the sides don’t need to be perfectly regular for the tart to hold its shape. Place in the refrigerator to set while you’re making the filling.
- Prepare the lemon filling by mixing together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and 2 eggs.
- Pour the filling over the crust, bake for 15 minutes, then let set for 1 hour or more in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
FAQ
Speculoos (aka Biscoff or Lotus biscuits) are some delicious caramelized and gingerbread-like biscuits.
Just replace them with Digestive biscuits or Graham crackers, and combine with melted butter.
Prefer whole lemons for this lemon tart recipe, since you need both the juice and the zest (and all the lemon flavors comes from the zest).
It should be set on the edges and still slightly jiggling in the center. The lemon tart will continue to set as it cools.
Because of both the Lotus biscuit crust and the use of sweetened condensed milk, this lemon tart is very sweet. If you prefer it less sweet, use Graham crackers or Digestive biscuits for the base, and use unsweetened condensed milk with 2 Tablespoons of agave syrup.
How to serve this easy lemon tart?
The Speculoos lemon tart makes a perfect dessert on its own, but you can also decorate with a few slices of lemon, shredded coconut, fresh mint leaves, and serve with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s also delicious topped with any type of berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries).
Other lemon desserts you’ll love:
- Best Ever Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf
- Lemon Magic Cake
- Homemade Lemon Curd
- Healthy Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
- Perfect Lemon Ricotta Bundt Cake
- Lemon Meringue Pie
The Fabulous Speculoos Lemon Tart
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Fruit desserts
- Cuisine: French recipes
This 5-ingredient Speculoos lemon tart is the easiest dessert out there. Prepared with a Biscoff pie crust and a no-fail lemon filling, it’s creamy, refreshing and utterly delicious!
Email me this recipe
We’ll send it straight to your inbox, along with weekly food inspiration!
Ingredients
- 8.8 oz (250g) speculoos biscuits (or Lotus biscuits)*
- ½ cup (125g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can (14 ounces/397g) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 lemons, juice + zests of one lemon**
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-inch springform with removable bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
- For the Speculoos crust, place the biscuits in a freezer bag, seal the bag, and crush the biscuits using a rolling pin, until finely ground.*** Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix the biscuit crumbs with the melted butter until combined.
- Pour the biscuit mixture onto the prepared pan, and press with your hands or with a glass to flatten the surface. Place in the refrigerator while making the filling.
- For the lemon filling, whisk the eggs and condensed milk in a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, the zests, and whisk again until it thickens slightly. Pour the filling onto the crust and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Then, place in the refrigerator for minimum 1 hour before serving. This will allow the filling to set.
Notes
* If the crust is too sweet to your taste, you can replace the Lotus biscuits with Graham crackers or Digestive biscuits.
** The recipe calls for 3 lemons. Choose them small to medium in size (avoid the large ones for this recipe).
*** Alternatively, you can pulse the biscuits in a food processor until finely ground.
Did you make this recipe?
Lastly, if you make this The Fabulous Speculoos Lemon Tart, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!
Dana
Such a fun dessert to make and so easy! It turned out amazing the first time so I’m making it again to bring to a dinner party! I love simple desserts that look and taste like they took longer than they did! Thanks for the great recipe!
Christiane
I have made the recipe on 3 occasions and every time it has been a success thank you for such a great recipe
Del’s Cooking Twist
Thank you so much for your feedback
Kavitha
Such an easy, simple recipe. Yet, tastes so good! My husband and boys absolutely loved it. Thank you! I made just one change…used digestive biscuits instead of biscoff. I will certainly make this again
Christine O.
This was absolutely delicious!! I can’t wait to make it again. The lemons I had on hand were a little larger than the recommended size. However, they weren’t huge so I went ahead and used them. I think it was perfect. I love a Strong lemon flavor. I think the extra juice perfectly balanced out the sweetness. So glad I stumbled upon this recipe. I have an abundance of limes and I’m going to also try to make a lime version. This is the perfect summer treat.
Delphine Fortin
I’m so glad you liked it, Christine! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review and a rating. Very much appreciated! Del
Cathy
Very yummy recipe and really so easy ! ( best part is not having to prebake the crust ) It would help however to know the approximate amount of lemon juice needed as I have a friend who gives me lemons from her tree and therefore they vary in sizes ( the last time I made it, my son said it didn’t taste enough like lemon and I’m afraid that if I add more it will be too tart ). I’ve tried asking you on IG with no luck. I’ll still keep making this tart though.
Kavitha
Hello! I left a comment earlier but it seems to have disappeared so I’ll try again…I made this tart couple of days ago and it turned out perfect! Such an easy, no fuss recipe with brilliant results My family absolutely loved it and I will certainly make it again. Thank you…I used digestive biscuits for the base, that’s the only change I made.
Cathy
Bonjour Delphine,
Quelle quantite approximative pour le jus de citron ? Une amie m’en a donne de son arbre et j’en ai de toutes tailles. Je vais essayer d’en trouver de taille ” normale ” dans le lot, juste peur d’en mettre trop ou pas assez, cela aiderait bcp. Merci d’avance ! Hate de gouter cela ce soir ( mon fils raffole des tartes au citrons ! )
Delphine Fortin
Bonjour Cathy! Je n’ai jamais mesuré exactement mais c’est vrai qu’il faudrait que je pense à le faire la prochaine fois. Cela dit, je pense que vous voyez juste ici : essayez simplement de prendre des citrons de taille “normale” quand on les tient dans la main, ni géants ni minuscules. Désolée pour cette explication approximative avant que je ne vérifie les mesures exactes de mon côté. Dans tous les cas, je suis assez confiante que le résultat devrait être à la hauteur de vos attentes et que votre fils se régalera 🙂 Bien à vous. Del
Anne Brown
I loved this, but am going to try cutting down on the butter in crust next time, I had butter leaking out bottom of my pan and I just don’t think it needed that much butter to hold the crumbs together. I can’t wait to make this again and think I may even try to do a lime version. Thank you!
Karla Sheeley
Delightful! So
Simple to make and so elegant to serve.
Karla
Hi, I’m just curious about size of lemons. Dependent upon size would determine amount of juice. I would like to try this soon if you could advise. Thank you!
Delphine Fortin
Hi Karla! I use medium size lemons for this recipe. Don’t search for the very big ones, neither for the tiny ones. A medium lemon should be big enough to fit in one’s hand. I hope this helps! Del
Karla
Thanks for getting back to me so promptly! Have the tart in the oven now, will let you know how it turns out.
cece
what size pan did you use to make this please?
thanks!
Delphine Fortin
Hello! I usually go for a 9-inch springform for this recipe. I hope this helps! Del
Hala
Hello, what can I use other than condensed milk??
Delphine Fortin
Hi! Unfortunately this recipe is based on condensed milk. So if you are looking to make it without it will be a totally different one and I would need to make some recipe testing to guide you. Thanks for your understanding. Alternatively, you can try my lemon meringue pie (with or without the meringue): http://www.delscookingtwist.com/lemon-meringue-pie/ I hope it helps! Del
Mary Bockey
Made this tonight…Delicious! Very easy. Used graham crackers in place of biscuits which I could not find.
Delphine Fortin
I’m so glad to hear that. Thanks, Mary!
lili
bonsoir.
Je vous felicite tout d’abord pour votre site qui est tres rafraichissant que ce soit au niveau des recettes proposées que des photos et du design du site))
j’aimerai savoir si cette recette est equivalente a la recette du key lim pie que vous aviez publié il ya quelque annees sur votre site? j’avais mis le lien de cette recette de mes favoris et en voulant reconsulter la page j’ai trouvé qu elle nexistait plus (( . J’ai tapé dans le moteur de recherche sur votre site key lime pie mais sans succès. Pouvez vous me la renoter s’il vous plait si la recette plus est différente? Merci d’avance
Bonne continuation
Delphine Fortin
Bonjour Linda ! Un très grand merci pour votre petit message qui me touche beaucoup, je suis ravie que le blog vous plaise 🙂 En effet vous avez bien vu, la key lime pie n’est plus en ligne depuis quelques temps car j’avais comme projet de refaire les photos, projet toujours en devenir. C’est très dommage car la recette est délicieuse et est en effet légèrement différente de celle-ci, que j’aime aussi beaucoup. Je vous envoie la recette en MP et ne manquerai pas de vous tenir informée dès qu’elle sera de nouveau en ligne avec de meilleurs photos. À très vite par mail !
Claire au Matcha
Je vais la tester rapidement! Quelle taille de moule préconises-tu? Bises!
Delphine Fortin
Tu vas voir c’est super simple et vraiment délicieux. Je recommande un moule de 23-24 cm de diamètre. Bises et merci pour ton petit commentaire!
Coralie
C’est notre tarte au citron préférée !
ça change d’une pâte brisée classique, avec les spéculoos c’est délicieux !
Delphine Fortin
Super, merci beaucoup Coralie ! 🙂
nancy@skinnykitchen.com
Looks so wonderful Del!
Del
Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
website
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, as i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page conations really pleasant funny stuff too.
Sophie
J’ai testé cette recette il y a quelques jours et c’est vraiment très bon. La crème est parfaite, seul hic la pâte est extrêmement fragile et donc difficile à servir. En tout cas je garde l’idée pour la crème au citron si facile à réaliser! Merci
Del
Contente que la recette te plaise ! Oui la crème au citron est vraiment très facile à faire et inratable ! Pour la pâte, je recommande de bien la tasser dans le fond du moule et d’utiliser un moule à fond amovible. Si la tarte repose suffisamment longtemps au frigo, elle devrait mieux se présenter lors du service. Bonne journée !
Popote et Nature
Gloups ! la tarte au citron meringuée est mon dessert préféré mais là… mon coeur balance! Ça doit être divin ! je garde en mémoire la recette pour les moments moins surbookés qui, j’espère arriveront vite !!
Del
Pas de panique, cette recette de tarte au citron est justement la plus simple et la plus rapide à réaliser que je connaisse. Si tu as besoin d’une petite pause pour souffler un peu, c’est l’heure de te régaler !
Anne-lise
Pas douée en pâtisserie et pas beaucoup de temps, c’est tout moi, ça! Sauf que Stéphane aime pas la tarte au citron. Il est pénible parfois! Par contre, j’ai des collègues super sympas. Je tenterai avec eux et je te dirai. Bises.
PS Moi je veux bien tout goûter en août. Histoire de pouvoir promouvoir toutes tes recettes de manière objective. 🙂
Del
À retenir, pas de tarte au citron pour Stéphane (mais je suis sûre que celle-ci, où la saveur du citron est très adoucie par le lait concentré, lui plairait) ! Pour le mois d’août, je vais voir ce que je peux m’amuser à faire quand les filles seront là ! Pour ce qui est des adultes, j’ai la pression on dirait, mais je relève le défi d’essayer de vous régaler !! 🙂
Dimitra Poulopoulou
Hi there, I am a bit confused about the quantity of lemon juice . Is it from three or one lemon? Thnx
Delphine Fortin
Hi Dimitra! Sorry for my late reply. It’s juice of 3 lemons, zest of 1 lemon. Hope it helps! Del