Monday, January 28, 2008

Lemon Meringue Tartlets

January 2008 DARING BAKERS CHALLENGE

Gosh.....this is my first challenge in my life . . . . lol! especially with the daring bakers. Why now? and not before?. . . well I have notice the daring bakers but I alway assume this event is for beautiful ladies . . . . I am sure you know what I mean. But truely after reading baking blogs reviews one after another, I decided to try this challenge basically to overcome my fears, trust me, I am saying this out from my heart . . . . my fears. Well I got this challenge done and straight I went and get it posted before the day becomes 29. I guess I had made it! A pat on my shoulder. I hope you will like my lemon meringue tartlets.




Lemon Meringue Tarlets

For the Crust:

¾ cup (180 mL) cold butter; cut into ½-inch (1.2 cm) pieces
2 cups (475 mL) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
¼ tsp (1.2 mL) salt
⅓ cup (80 mL) ice water

For the Filling:

2 cups (475 mL) water
1 cup (240 mL) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 mL) cornstarch
5 egg yolks, beaten
¼ cup (60 mL) butter
¾ cup (180 mL) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon zest
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

For the Meringue:

5 egg whites, room temperature
½ tsp (2.5 mL) cream of tartar
¼ tsp (1.2 mL) salt
½ tsp (2.5 mL) vanilla extract
¾ cup (180 mL) granulated sugar

For the Crust: Make sure all ingredients are as cold as possible. Using a food processor or pastry cutter and a large bowl, combine the butter, flour, sugar and salt. Process or cut in until the mixture resembles coarse meal and begins to clump together. Sprinkle with water, let rest 30 seconds and then either process very briefly or cut in with about 15 strokes of the pastry cutter, just until the dough begins to stick together and come away from the sides of the bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured work surface and press together to form a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 20 minutes.

To roll out tartlet dough, slice the dough into 6 pieces. On lightly floured surface, roll each circle of dough into a 5 inch disk. Stack the disks, separated by pieces of plastic wrap, on a plate, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.To bake the dough, position rack in oven to the centre of oven and preheat to 350ºF (180ºC). Place the disks of dough, evenly spaced, on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely.

To finish tartlets, first place oven rack in the upper third of the oven and increase heat to 425ºF.

Divide the lemon filling equally among the disks, mounding it in the centre and leaving a 1-inch border all the way around.
Spoon the meringue decoratively over each tartlet, right to the edges, in dramatic swirling peaks. Return tartlets to oven and bake for about 5 minutes, until the meringue is golden brown.

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line the crust with foil and fill with metal pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden. Cool completely before filling.

For the Filling: Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Remove from the heat and let rest 5 minutes. Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together. Add the mixture gradually to the hot water, whisking until completely incorporated.

Return to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. The mixture will be very thick. Add about 1 cup (240 mL) of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks, whisking until smooth. Whisking vigorously, add the warmed yolks to the pot and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in butter until incorporated. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla, stirring until combined. Pour into the prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming on the surface, and cool to room temperature.

For the Meringue: Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Using an electric mixer beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar, salt and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually, beating until it forms stiff, glossy peaks. Pile onto the cooled pie, bringing the meringue all the way over to the edge of the crust to seal it completely. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Cool on a rack. Serve within 6 hours to avoid a soggy crust.








I am now very hungry waiting for my next challenge, as fears had been overcome!

Love Sunny Yaw

115 comments:

Tablebread said...

Well done on your first DB challenge! The little tartlets are amazing!

So I guess for now on you can come over and sit at the men's table during our DB meetings :)

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Great job on your first DB challenge!

Unknown said...

Lovely job well done on yr first quest on the DB challenge. The lemon meringue looks yummy espeacially the golden custard in the middle...ahhh such pleasure!
Take care boys!

Veron said...

Congratulations for completing your first daring bakers challenge! Beautiful tartlets!

zorra said...

You did a great first challenge! Your Tatlets looks stunning.

Greetings from a beautiful lady... ;-)

Jerry said...

Congrats on your first challenge!

Chibog in Chief said...

i knew your january challenge's gonna be gorgeous!! congrats welcome to DB!!!

could you pass me a tartlette please.;hehehe

Anonymous said...

Wow, the piped meringue is simply stunning! Congrats on making it through your first challenge with flying colors!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Your tartlets look great! I love the meringue!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Great job! Congrats! That filling looks so good :)

glamah16 said...

Really lovely tarts. Im happy you joined the group!

Anonymous said...

The variety of designs is amazing. Great job

Anonymous said...

Great first challenge! Your little pies look gorgeous!

Half Baked said...

Congrats on your first challenge! Beautiful job, your tartlettes are so cute!

Katy said...

oh yum! they cut in half so beautifully! congratulations!!!

Tempered Woman said...

Looks like you had some fun with the meringue- way to go!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Your first as a Daring Baker?? Your song sooo fits the look of your "beautiful" tarts!

Anonymous said...

First challenge ? I don't believe you, lol !! Your lemon cream is gorgeous, very thick !

Shayne said...

I love the cut away you posted all that lemon curd in one little tart, be still my heart.

Welcome to the group and I am sure that you will fit right in.

Joey Biscotti said...

Those look amazing!!! I love how deep the filling is!!!

Jenny said...

Pat, pat, pat on your shoulder.
Well done, those are so cute!

Tarah at Genesis of a Cook said...

Aww! They're adorable! Wonderful job for your first challenge!!

David T. Macknet said...

What incredible peaks! You got a truly nice consistency on your filling, too - ours was a bit on the runny side, but still yummy, of course; yours? Yours looks like a proper custard!

Katia Mangham said...

Hi! Your little tarts are wonderful- I specially love them one with the high peaks. Congratulations on your first challenge! xo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Great job and welcome to the DB'ers!

Emily said...

Yay! Good job Daring Baker! You make me hungry for lemon meringue pie.

Katie said...

Your little tarts are stunning. I love the different designs you have used for piping on your meringue. Its great how much filling you were able to fit in, best part I reckon. Well done on your first challange!

Katie said...

Your little tarts are stunning. I love the different designs you have used for piping on your meringue. Its great how much filling you were able to fit in, best part I reckon. Well done on your first challange!

desie said...

well done! your tarts look gorgeous, the filling looks beutifully-set.

Madam Chow said...

Your tarts are GORGEOUS! The filling is so wonderfully plump, and the piping is beautiful. Welcome to the Daring Bakers!

bigfish_chin said...

Congratulation on your Daring Baker Challenge!!!
You are just too professional to me... but your words touched my heart :) "Over come the Fear" and Bake from Heart ~ so these are the fruitful tartlets :)

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Daring Bakers!

I love the way you have topped your pies, and the filling looks thick and scrummy!

I am also jeolous that you are in such a beautiful warm country while I am in cold rainy Belgium!

Nora B. said...

Wonderful Sunny! And welcome to the Daring Bakers. I think that you are an expert baker so I am not surprised that your tartlets turned out so gorgeous. Very nice piping of the meringues. Did you use a blow torch to brown the meringues? I bet I won't be able to stop at just eating one!

Gabi said...

Nice job overcoming your fears-not that you needed any-your tarts are beautiful! I love the height you got from your meringue and the split views are scrumptious!
xoxo

Brilynn said...

Well done on your first challenge! Welcome to the Daring Bakers!

Anonymous said...

They look great! I love all the different designs with the meringue.

Deborah said...

Wonderful job on your first challenge!!

T’s Treats said...

Those are some awesome little tarts!! Your first challenge even, Fantastic Job!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, there are lots of lovely ladies here but boys are alway welcome too! Your tarts are beautiful.

SIG said...

I love lemon meringue... anything with lemon. Great job guys!

LianneK said...

Your tartlet looks good! I love how densed they are too, feel like sinking my teeth into them to tear the denseness away :-) Good luck on your first participation, keep it coming because can't wait to see what other goodies you bringing on!

... said...

those are some KICK ASS tarlettes (forgive my language)
Look great... good job.

Iisha

slush said...

They look like punk rockers, very cool. Fab job!

Ling's Passion said...

Bravo on taking up the Daring Bakers challenge. Your meringue pie looks beautiful and delicious.

Anonymous said...

Like we said before, you rock! BTW- love your music accompaniment too!

Carla said...

I love the piping you did! Totally stealing that for my next meringue whatever.

Congrats on your first challenge!

daphne said...

wow! I have been following DB challenges and trying to gather up courage to attempt it. hehe. U did sooo well!

June said...

Those are beautiful tartlets! Great job.

Dolores said...

Congratulations, and welcome! You did a great job. I love your half-tartlets... your curd looks luscious.

breadchick said...

fantastic job on your first challenge! Such lovely little tarts!!Welcome to Daring Bakers!!

Susan @ SGCC said...

Congratulations on completing your first DB challenge! Your tartlets look lovely!

Tracy said...

Your tartlets are beautiful. I especially love the creative piping of the meringue. Well done!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Thanks. Your LM tarts look really good, with the meringue quite high. Can't believe this is your first challenge too.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Congratulations on your first DB challenge. Well done! I love all the beautiful designs in your meringues.

Anonymous said...

Grats on a fabulous first challenge! Your LMP looks absolutely gorgeous =) Well done!

Jenny said...

What a great first challenge! Your pictures are amazing!

HairyBerry said...

i'm sure the filling brings a rather contrasting taste to the meringue...bravo bravo!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your Lemon Meringue Pie and Tartlets look fabulous! How did you get the Meringue to reach such heights?!

Anonymous said...

I love your tartlets! The meringue is like little clouds. And the filling looks perfect!

Anonymous said...

Lovely tartlets. Congrats on the DB challenge. Keep up the good work.

Princess of the kitchen said...

What gorgeous little tarts. The curd looks superb and so high. Well done!

Karen Baking Soda said...

Great job on your first and welcome to the group! Love the different patterns in meringue!

jadepearl said...

Congrats!!! Awesome tarts!

Brecht said...

Well done for your first challenge! Congrats!! Those are gorgeous looking tartlets !! Like all your creations, they look too good to be eaten!! ; ) Hv a good week!

simply said...

Truly amazing tarts. I love the meringue piping, swirls and peaks.
Welcome to the Daring Bakers.

Deeba PAB said...

If this is your first challenge...WOW...why now, why not before??? I LOVE your pies; they are PERFECTO!! They are pretty, well set, like my dream pie, & each beautiful in itself! WELL DONE!!

thepassionatecook said...

well done you, of course we can do with a bit of testosterone, especially if you bring us cake!!!

April said...

congrats on your first challenge! They look wonderful!

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Yay! You did it! Like I knew you would easily do! Congrats!!!

Colette said...

Your lemon filling looks SO good!

Anonymous said...

That's funny, having grown up with men I used to think baking was a masculine manly man thing. :-)

Congradulations on getting your first challenge done! You did a great job, I love the sheer volume of the lemon filling in your tarts!

AranciOnissimA said...

Hello!
When I look to your tarts I think to my mountains! Monviso and Monterosa!
Great!
AranciOnissimA

Megan said...

I love your tarts!

JOjo said...

Congrats! It's always good to challenge oneself, it makes room for ur to improve and tap into our creativity.
Enjoy ur subsequent challenges and i'll be waiting for more =)

Candace said...

Beautiful job.. very creative meringue and lovely pics!

Chou said...

Great pics--your meringue almost looks like perfectly roasted marshmallows, but no doubt tastes infinitely better. BTW, great blog name!

Angel said...

Your little tarts look amazing. Wow you didn't need to have any fear, they turned out perfect.

LP said...

Wow your first challenge, and they look perfect! Great job!

Dawn0fTime said...

Wow! They look so pretty! I love the variations on the topping, and the photography is outstanding.

Annemarie said...

Congrats on getting your challenge - and your fears! - out of the way. They look great.

Joy said...

Your tartlets are so trendy. Meringue shaping for the man about town - I love them!

lina said...

Great looking tartlets! I'm looking enviously at the crusts, I never ever get pie crust to look that perfect...

Anonymous said...

wow! your cupcake style tartlets look so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Man!! The ladies love you!
What's your secret??
Lemon meringue pies? Great job!
:-)

kellypea said...

Congrats on your first challenge! And nice job. Looks like you had quite a bit of fun with your tarts. Those cross sections are to completely DIE for, even after looking at umpteen gazillion pies. Excellent work. Now -- on to the next one!

Jennifer said...

nice lookin tarts! congrats on your first challenge! I'm on challenge #2 and it only gets better! haha :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your first challenge! Looks fantastic!

jasmine said...

I really like how creative you got with the meringue. At some point I shall be so dexterous...I hope.

j

test it comm said...

Great looking lemon meringue tartlets!!! I really like the meringue designs and browning.

Barbara said...

Your tarts look beautiful! And I am so getting a piping bag. Everyone so far that's used one has had the most amazing looking meringue! Well done!

Aleckii said...

AHHH!!! Looks amazing!

tigerfish said...

Why is it that baking seems so easy for you? That's because you are a talent!

Wendy said...

Your tarts look great. I like the shape of the tart crust. Congrats on your first challenge. Wendy

Anonymous said...

how cute are those tiny tartlets! good first challenge ;-)

Rita Ho said...

WOW! I showed this post to my husband as he absolutely loves lemon meringue pie and tarts. He said, "You need to go take a class with him when we are back in KL this year".

Congratulations, Sunny!

Pixie said...

They look perfect, well done for your first challenge!

Peabody said...

You got such fabulous shapes with your meringue! They all look so wonderful.

ai wei said...

wahhh, i am the 99th pereson to post the comment here. some one is getting more n more popular! Congrates!!!

and... this... recipe looks complicated. *aiks*

Sheltie Girl said...

You did a wonderful job on your lemon meringue tarts. I love the shell design you made with your meringue. Welcome to the DBers!

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go

Phoenix Ascending said...

What beautiful tarts! They are simply stunning. Congrats on such a successful first challenge.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on ur first challenge. They look great... I've now seen about 10 different versions and they all look sooo good.

What's next??

creampuff said...

Those are so adorable! Congratulations on completing your first DB challenge!

Anonymous said...

Those pies look amazing! Seriously, so good. And the way you piped your meringue was fresh and inventive. Wonderful, fantastic job!

Cynthia said...

Oh look at the style and finesse of your pies!

Unknown said...

Wonderful job! I love the decorative meringues...and your curd looks great.

Oh for the love of food! said...

Looks like you are the first guys to join the Daring Bakers! What an excellent job - but I'd expect nothing less from you two! Go show them more of your kungfu! HA!HA!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

This is great. Well done on your first challenge you did a wonderful job!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your first challenge! I love how you did your meringue. Looks amazing!!

Jen Yu said...

Oh, I love the way you guys did those tartelettes - they are beautiful! Great job on the meringue piping, such a lovely flourish :)

Lisa Johnson said...

So nice that you're a Daring Baker! Those last two photos really got me. I just want a little bite. Okay, well maybe I really want two or three whole tartlets actually! : D

teckiee said...

muahahahah so made once... can always make again... how bout making some for the bbq? ;p

Chez Us said...

These are beauitful - I love them! Welcome to the DB club and you did a great job!

eatme_delicious said...

Your tartlets look great! I love the cross section shots. Glad you joined us. :)

Anonymous said...

those tartlets look amazing. i love lemon meringue.

haha I also love the different designs you had for your meringue! great!

kwpang said...

The look really nice to eat, thanks for sharing.