Creamy Two Layer Citrus Tart Food

EASY CITRUS TART

Steps:

• Make the curd: Whisk the sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk the whole eggs and yolks in a small bowl, then whisk into the lemon mixture. Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it's thick like pudding, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until incorporated. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pushing it through with a rubber spatula. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to 5 days.
• Make the tart: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Break the graham crackers into pieces, then pulse in a food processor with the sugar until finely ground; drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to combine.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and about 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Pour the curd into the prepared crust and gently press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours. Remove the springform ring and transfer the tart to a platter. Top with whipped cream.

LEMON TART WITH A TOUCH OF LIME

Steps:

• Make the dough: In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar and salt. Add butter and pulse briefly until well combined. Add egg and pulse just until dough comes together. Dough will be rather soft. Wrap with waxed paper or plastic wrap, and press to make a 1-inch-thick disk. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or it will be too soft to handle. (Make the dough up to 2 days in advance, if desired.)
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and let soften at room temperature until pliable and soft, about 15 minutes. Using your fingertips, press dough into a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom, making sure it is pressed evenly across the bottom and up the sides, about 1/8-inch thick. Press the dough against the sides to the very top. Pinch off any excess and smooth the edge. You'll have slightly too much dough - save any left over to patch cracks after blind baking. Chill the tart dough in the pan until ready to bake. (You can also freeze it at this point, if you like, for up to a week.)
• When ready to blind bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the dough-lined tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake to a pale golden brown, about 30 minutes. (Pie weights shouldn't be necessary, but check the dough during baking, to make sure sides are not slumping. If so, press the sides back up with a wooden spoon.) For even browning, turn the tray halfway through the baking. Remove from oven, and cool to room temperature.
• Make the filling: Put lemon and lime zest, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter is melted and mixture is hot, 4 to 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and yolks.
• Whisk the hot mixture gradually into the eggs to temper them. Then pour everything back into the saucepan and return to heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens to a milkshake consistency, about 5 minutes. (Do not overcook, or it will curdle.) Pour through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools. (At this point, you can continue with the recipe, or cover the filling and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
• Spoon the lemon curd into the baked tart shell. Using a spatula, spread the curd evenly into the shell. Bake in a 350-degree oven until filling is set (not jiggly), about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature. (This can be done several hours before serving.) Just before serving, top tart with lime zest and dust edges with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

CREAMY TWO-LAYER CITRUS TART

Steps:

• To make the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, coconut, butter, sugar and salt in a large bowl and crumble together with your fingers.
• Press into a parchment paper-lined 9" springform pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Let cool completely.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, eggs, 2/3 cup of the condensed milk and half of the vanilla and pour over the cooked crust.
• Bake in a 350 degree F oven until set, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Let cool completely.
• Zest 1 of the limes to make 1 tablespoon of zest.
• Squeeze and strain both limes to make 1/3 cup juice.
• In a food processor, pulse the cream cheese, remaining condensed milk and vanilla, lime zest, lime juice and sugar until smooth.
• Pour over the baked layer.
• Refrigerate until set, about 8 hours.