Lemon tart is a sophisticated dessert that makes a fitting end to a dinner party. It is made from crumbly pastry and it has a zesty flavor. You can serve it with either cream or ice cream, and decorate it with fruits such as strawberries or raspberries.
However, what if you have leftovers or you want to make one in advance for a dinner party? Is it possible to freeze lemon tart? The simple answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze and how to defrost lemon tart (see also Can You Freeze Lemon Drizzle Cake?).
You can use the same method for shop-bought lemon tarts, and homemade ones. If you are making a homemade lemon tart, it is best to freeze it as soon as possible as it will taste fresher when you come to defrost it.
How To Freeze Lemon Tart
Preparing a lemon tart can take some time but freezing it is much easier. It is, however, delicate, so be careful when handling it. This is the way to freeze lemon tart:
1. Cool down the lemon tart.
You don’t want to put the lemon tart in the freezer while it is still warm as the texture will change and it could become soggy. In addition, this will bring up the temperature in the freezer and other food may start to defrost and spoil.
2. Slice the lemon tart into portions.
This step is entirely up to you. It is a good idea to do this if you intend to only eat a couple of slices at a time. However, if you are having a dinner party, you may want to present the tart whole and slice it in front of your guests.
3. Flash-freeze the lemon tart.
Put the tart or slices of tart on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the slices aren’t touching each other. This will stop them from sticking together when you put them in an airtight container. Put the tray in the freezer for around two hours or until the tart is frozen solid.
4. Wrap the tart or the slices in cling film.
If you are slicing the tart, wrap the slices individually so that you can take out just as many slices as you want. Double wrapping in cling film is a good idea as this helps to stop freezer burn. The lemon tart could lose taste and texture and even dry out.
5. Put the lemon tart or the slices in an airtight container.
Using a container rather than a freezer bag is much better as the lemon tart could get damaged in a freezer bag. Wrap the container in cling film for extra protection against freezer burn. Put a label on the lid with the date and contents so that you know when you put it in the freezer and what is in the container without having to open it.
6. Put the airtight container in the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Lemon Tart
- Make sure that the lemon tart is kept airtight so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
- It is perfectly okay to freeze your lemon tart in either slices or as a whole pie.
- Don’t decorate your lemon tart with such foods as fruit and cream before you put it in the freezer. Decorate the tart when it has defrosted. You can freeze fruit separately if you wish but the cream can split or become grainy if it is frozen, so it is best to buy cream fresh when you want to serve the lemon tart.
- You can keep the lemon tart in the fridge for a couple of days so if you plan to eat it within this time frame, don’t bother freezing it.
For How Long Can You Freeze Lemon Tart?
You can freeze lemon tart for up to three months. After this time, it will probably still be safe to eat, but it may lose taste and texture. The only problem is storage as you don’t want the tart to be damaged. Use airtight containers rather than freezer bags and don’t place heavy items on top of the containers.
How Do You Defrost Lemon Tart?
The best way to defrost lemon tart is slowly and steadily as this helps it to retain its texture. The night before you want to eat it, take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge. Individual portions will defrost quicker than a whole tart.
Can You Refreeze Lemon Tart?
As long as you have defrosted the lemon tart in the fridge, it is safe to refreeze it. However, you may find that the texture changes. This is because ice crystals are formed when you freeze food and if you refreeze, the added crystals will probably make the lemon tart soggy. If you don’t plan to use the whole tart when you defrost it, it is better to freeze it in portions so that you only defrost as much as you need for the day. All it needs is a little planning ahead.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Lemon Tart?
Yes, it is. Like most tarts, lemon tart freezes well. You just need to ensure that it is wrapped well to ensure that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Also, be careful when handling lemon tart as it is very delicate. Store in airtight containers, not freezer bags. If you follow a few simple rules, the defrosted lemon tart will taste as good as fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing lemon tarts but in case you have further questions about freezing them or about freezing tarts in general, we have answered a few here.
You can freeze just about any type of fruit tart although the smoother the texture, the easier it will be to freeze the tart. A blueberry tart or a strawberry custard tart is ideal to freeze. You can freeze Tarte tatin but it will only freeze for a couple of weeks.
Yes, you can. Wrap it in cling film or aluminum foil and put it in an airtight container. You can freeze it for up to a month. After this time, it will be safe to eat but the taste and texture will begin to deteriorate.
You can freeze lemon curd in small airtight containers or in an ice cube tray, depending on how much you think you will need at any time. It freezes for up to a year so if you make it in bulk, you will be able to enjoy lemon curd for some time to come.
You can if you want to use them for zest or juice. Unfortunately, the texture of lemons does deteriorate once you freeze them.
