Dessert/ Fruit Desserts/ Pie/ Recipes/ Seasonal Ingredients/ Seasonal Recipes

blood orange tarts (with homemade citrus curd)

I made it! In the past two days I have successfully moved my entire kitchen, closet and cat to my new house. Furniture is still to come on Sunday, but as of right now I’m feelin’ pretty good about everything. Including these tarts.

But first, meet Teddy, my landlord’s puppy!

Teddy and Dexter are going to be best friends. I can just feel it.

To break in my new kitchen, I baked some blood orange and lemon tarts. A flaky sugar cookie crust filled to the brim with tangy homemade blood orange lemon curd. Quite possibly one of the best desserts I’ve made, if I do say so myself. And just so pretty, too! Blood oranges are in season right now and you’d be crazy to pass ’em up.

Never made homemade curd before? Now’s your big chance! It’s really not as hard as it seems but does take a little bit of time stirring over the stove. Think of it like risotto: time consuming but sooo worth the effort.

Plus, this curd is pretty pink! Another obvious reason for making this recipe.

It’s also great on muffins and scones (and greek yogurt, by the way–I know from experience). I love the idea of having a tiny white pitcher of this alongside some strawberry pop tart scones at a spring party or brunch!

If you do that, please invite me. K?

Blood Orange Tarts with Homemade Citrus Curd

makes 4 small tarts (with about a half cup of leftover orange lemon curd)

adapted from Epicurious

Print this recipe!

Ingredients:

blood orange lemon curd:

juice of one blood orange

juice of one lemon

zest of one lemon

1/2 cup cup sugar

3 eggs

1 egg yolk

1/2 stick room temperature butter, cut into small chunks

for tart shells:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 T sugar

pinch of salt

1/2 stick COLD butter, cut into chunks

1 egg yolk

1 T milk or cream

Directions:

Make the curd first so it has ample time to chill and set in the fridge. Whisk together the blood orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, eggs and egg yolk in a large bowl.

Place bowl over a pot of simmering water to make a double boiler and add the butter. Whisk continuously until mixture begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.

Swap your whisk for a rubber spatula and continue to gently stir until curd is thick, creamy and coats the back of the spatula completely.

This entire process will take about 15-20 minutes but the end result is very worth it!

Once your curd is thick, take off the heat and pour onto a wax paper lined sheet tray, spreading thin. Press a piece of plastic wrap on top to cover and curd completely and place in the fridge for an hour to set.

Preheat the oven to 375.

Mix together the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the butter using your fingertips to mix until the mixture resembles sand. Add the yolk and cream and knead until a smooth dough forms.

Roll out dough on a floured surface and press into greased mini tart shell. You could also roll the dough thin and press into a pie dish. Prick dough with a fork and then bake for 20 minutes, or until slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Fill tart shells (or pie) with the curd and place in the fridge for a couple hours to set. Technically, you could eat it right after you fill it, but if you are serving this at a party you may want to wait until the curd is completely set. Chilling the tarts overnight would be ideal.

Time:

1 hr active cooking time, 4 hours-overnight cooling time

Pink food tastes better.

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  • Camille
    March 4, 2011 at 5:41 am

    Oh my gosh, Teddy is freaking adorable!
    Also, the tarts look amazing! Do they firm up or are they watery? I’m okay with it either way! 🙂

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 1:01 pm

      They firm up! I have one in my fridge right now and it’s totally firm (like custard).

  • cathyb.@brightbakes
    March 4, 2011 at 5:43 am

    wheee!!! what a puppy! I die.
    As for those tarts…I need springy citrusy things in my life to ward off the last-of-winter-doldrums here in the north…Your tarts are so pretty and (as usual) make me want to rush off and make them straightaway! Love citrus curd in all it’s forms…so…yes..gonna make these soon 🙂
    love,
    cathy b.

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
    March 4, 2011 at 5:43 am

    I want to steal Teddy! I have no doubt he and Dexter will be BFF before you know it! haha

    I’ve NEVER had a blood orange, but these tarts look like the perfect excuse to change that!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    March 4, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Wow, these photos are phenomenal! Just lovely.

  • Christie {Nourishing Eats}
    March 4, 2011 at 5:51 am

    Oh, I just want to hug and squeeze Teddy.

    And eat those tarts. Must.Get.Blood.Oranges.

  • Prerna@IndianSimmer
    March 4, 2011 at 5:53 am

    Oh wow, that looks SO so good! I have some blood orange juice in my fridge, do u think I can use those instead of the fresh one? If yes, then what should be the measurement?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 1:01 pm

      yes! Just follow the same measurements as the original recipe and you will be fine!

  • emily
    March 4, 2011 at 5:53 am

    Is there a culinary school reason for spreading the curd out like that? It seems like you’d waste a lot that suck to the plastic (though I for sure would lick all that off!). I always pour my curd into a jar and let it cool in there.

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm

      actually yes!! It helps the curd cool faster and because I put plastic wrap right on top of it, I won’t get a film on top of the curd.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    March 4, 2011 at 5:57 am

    I loooove blood oranges. And how cute is Teddy??

  • The Blue-Eyed Bakers
    March 4, 2011 at 6:01 am

    Look at that gorgeous color! Almost too gorgeous to eat…ALMOST.

  • Shareece
    March 4, 2011 at 6:01 am

    That dog is ADORABLE! That fluffy ‘teddy’ (Yes, I had to go there, haha) bear face.. I want to eat it up!! If you want you can send him my way.. Your landlord doesn’t have to know, I’ll bring him back soon I swear! Please and thank you! =)

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    March 4, 2011 at 6:06 am

    Absolutely beautiful Jenna! I love lemon curd on Greek yogurt so I’m sure blood orange would be just delicious too. Your photography skills make me jealous :).

  • Rachel
    March 4, 2011 at 6:09 am

    I love the color of the blood orange!

    Teddy is super cute! What kind of dog is he?

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    March 4, 2011 at 6:09 am

    This looks delicious!!

    Teddy is just the cutest 🙂

  • jen @ taste life
    March 4, 2011 at 6:10 am

    I can’t belive you’re already baking in your new place! You amaze me.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    March 4, 2011 at 6:13 am

    I agree, all things pink are better!!!!! The tarts are gorgeous – very springy! 🙂

  • Megan
    March 4, 2011 at 6:14 am

    You’re on a serious citrus kick lately! But I have to agree, you can’t go wrong with pink!

    I posted this on my blog today,
    http://megandyanray.blogspot.com/2011/03/made-in-stages.html
    and from what you’ve said, I think you and Adam would enjoy it. 🙂

    Happy Friday!

  • VeggieGirl
    March 4, 2011 at 6:17 am

    Delicious tarts and CUTE dog! 🙂

  • dee
    March 4, 2011 at 6:20 am

    these look delicious!

    awww, your landlord’s puppy is adorable!

  • Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy
    March 4, 2011 at 6:20 am

    Teddy is SO cute! 🙂

    The tarts look amazing – so perfect for spring!

  • Jenny
    March 4, 2011 at 6:21 am

    I had never heard of blood oranges until a couple weeks ago! these look tasty!

  • Hannah (Culture Connoisseur)
    March 4, 2011 at 6:21 am

    These are beautiful. Good news about settling in! Did you move to a different city or just to a new house in town?

  • Lesley Lifting Life
    March 4, 2011 at 6:23 am

    Blood oranges are so pretty! I’m going to have to get some asap.

  • Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
    March 4, 2011 at 6:34 am

    Looks amazing!

  • Central Restaurant Products
    March 4, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Your food always looks so appealing! How do you find the time (and energy) to cook like this all of the time?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 7:10 am

      The same reason you find the energy to get up and go to work every morning 🙂 It’s my job!

      • Baking 'n' Books
        March 4, 2011 at 12:35 pm

        Does it ever make you (gasp – I know it can’t be true though) but sick of food – or like your around it all day…? I wouldn’t be able to stop eating what I’m making.

        Please send your restraint and love for the products and not just eating 🙂

  • Stacey
    March 4, 2011 at 6:50 am

    Oh no you di-in’t! These are beautiful and I can’t wait to make them. Now off to purchase a tart pan!

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      they are definitely worth the tart pan purchase!!

  • Tricia
    March 4, 2011 at 6:59 am

    And you moved without spraining anything! Another reason to celebrate (and eat another tart of course) Yay! 🙂

  • Natalie @ Will Jog For Food
    March 4, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Teddy is so cute!!

    I made key lime curd once and it was SOOOOO good! I put it in pastries with cream cheese & I used it for yogurt too. It made the yogurt taste like key lime pie 🙂

  • Justeen @ Blissful Baking
    March 4, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Anyone sort of citrusy dessert makes me swoon! 🙂 These tarts look delish!

  • Heather @ Heather's Dish
    March 4, 2011 at 7:14 am

    What a yummy celebration of blood oranges! I love citrus curd, so this is a winner for me 🙂

  • Angharad
    March 4, 2011 at 7:17 am

    Blood oranges are so pretty and amazing – I have been swooning over them the last couple of weeks. This looks like a GREAT dessert, Jenna! Annnnd I want that dog.

  • Jenn @ Frost Bites
    March 4, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Teddy looks so cute! I want him…lol.

  • Cara
    March 4, 2011 at 7:39 am

    Those look amazing!!! I’ve never had a blood orange, but I always think they are soooo pretty!

  • JBean Cuisine
    March 4, 2011 at 7:59 am

    Your photos are absolutely stunning and so inspiring. This looks perfect for a girly date or a bridal shower. Definitely adding it to my list of “must-makes”.

  • Maria
    March 4, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Gorgeous tarts! And Teddy is adorable!

  • kate
    March 4, 2011 at 8:00 am

    I’ve been obsessed with curds lately and this one is gorgeous!

  • Jennifer
    March 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

    THE TARTS LOOK DELICIOUS!!!!! I am looking for a dog currently, any clue on Teddy’s breed(s)?

  • Katie
    March 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

    I spent the night dreaming of French onion soup and I woke up with an intense craving for it (this is normal, right??). I was surprised to find out that you don’t have a recipe for it, knowing what a big FOS fan you are. Can you please make a recipe?? I would owe you forever!

  • Baking 'n' Books
    March 4, 2011 at 8:04 am

    I’m amazed that you can still make these creations whilst in the midst of a move…you got your priorities straight! 🙂

    …also glad that the cat is with you and not living on his own…;)

  • Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan)
    March 4, 2011 at 8:28 am

    You are so creative 🙂 And I love how the curd just oozes out of the tart…mouth-watering, I tell ya!
    I’m glad you had a successful move! And I’m sure Teddy and Dexter will get along just fine 😉

  • mitzi @ my nikon eats food
    March 4, 2011 at 8:30 am

    pink food tastes better – i agree =)

  • Brooke @ bittersweetb
    March 4, 2011 at 8:51 am

    Your photos look so springy and beautiful!

  • Samantha
    March 4, 2011 at 8:54 am

    Hi, I’m fairly new to your blog but I gave you a stylish blogger award on mine because I love yours so much! Check it out here.
    http://amileinmyboots05.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-won-two-awards.html

  • briana
    March 4, 2011 at 8:55 am

    Your photos are SO beautiful! Congrats on your move! And you are right, pink food does taste better!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    March 4, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Any landlord who has a dog like that is a sure winner! Hope the rest of the move goes smoothly!

  • Stacy @ LoveDiscoveryGratitude (aka: Laughter-Loving Stacy)
    March 4, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Ahhhh fantasizing about your delightful treats makes my mouth salivate! Ha, ha! 🙂

  • Rachel @ Grateful Girl Goes Gluten Free
    March 4, 2011 at 9:16 am

    Congrats on the move! I think I would love curd. I love pudding like textures and it seems similar. The tarts look amazing

  • Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
    March 4, 2011 at 9:22 am

    what a cute doggy!

  • britt
    March 4, 2011 at 9:22 am

    blood oranges are so pretty!!

  • Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
    March 4, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I’m glad the move is going smoothly!! Teddy is absolutely adorable!

    And those tarts look delicious… They have oranges in them, that counts as health food right??

  • Michelle | gold-hearted girl
    March 4, 2011 at 9:55 am

    They are so pretty! I love that shade of pink. Teddy is freaking adorable. I hope you’ll get to dog-sit that pup often.

  • Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner
    March 4, 2011 at 9:59 am

    What a cute dog!
    I’ve never tried a blood orange before…. what kind of taste do they have?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm

      sorta like an orange! The lemon in this really gives the tarts a mouth-puckering punch as well!

  • Maria
    March 4, 2011 at 10:03 am

    what a cutiepie puppy!!! I’ve never even seen a blood orange before, much less tried one. How are they different from a regular orange besides the color?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      To me, they just have a deeper flavor, if that’s possible. More like a caramelized orange? Check for them at your local whole foods or farmer’s market!

  • Kris
    March 4, 2011 at 10:17 am

    That looks tasty. That would taste fab with my coffee. Do you deliver to Napa? j/k (not really.)

  • Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
    March 4, 2011 at 10:22 am

    Oh my! That looks absolutely gorgeous…almost too gorgeous to eat. Almost. Love blood oranges! And curd!

  • Jennie @ Designed to be Fit
    March 4, 2011 at 10:48 am

    They are screaming for a heaping scoop of homemade whipped cream! So delicious, can’t wait to try it!

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      indeed! That’s definitely what is missing from this picture. 😉

  • C.
    March 4, 2011 at 11:05 am

    i NEED those in my life. Like right now!!

    I love pink food!!

  • Alexandra
    March 4, 2011 at 11:06 am

    I was TOTALLY talking about making a blood orange tart earlier this week, not even joking! I made a batch of lemon bars earlier this week and I thought it would be awesome to swap the lemons for blood oranges in the curd part of the bars. nom nom nom, hope you ate two slices because after all of that moving you totally earned it 😉

  • Mauimandy@The Grains of Paradise
    March 4, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Teddy is adorable!!! That is exactly the kind of dog I would get if I could!!! Love him 🙂
    Your Orange Tarts are beautiful. Very tempted to bake some on this very stormy Hawaiian morning…..Aloha!

  • sarah
    March 4, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Teddy is so cute! What kind of dog is he? He looks a little like my puppy (who is of unknown heritage!)

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    March 4, 2011 at 11:30 am

    So unique – never heard of this kind of tart before. It looks so pretty 😉

  • Dana
    March 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

    WHAT KIND OF DOG IS THAT!?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 12:06 pm

      I really do not know!

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    March 4, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Oh, I think I just died and went to heaven. Absolutely brilliant. Worthy of Nobel Peace Prize!

  • jenna
    March 4, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    oh this looks lovely!! yummy!!! I love how light the curd looks as well!

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    March 4, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    pink food definitely tastes better!

    that blood orange lemon curd..homemade…wow. Jenna, you outdid yourself! That fancy chef school education is totally showing in this amazing, beautiful recipe!

    🙂

  • Moni'sMeals
    March 4, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    wow! You nailed this one! A must make asap for sure. 🙂

    Glad you are moved in and Teddy warms my heart!

  • Jillian
    March 4, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Did you move in with your boyfriend??? 🙂

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 2:18 pm

      nope!

  • A Teenage Gourmet (Sami)
    March 4, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Tell me where you buy your blood oranges! I have trouble finding them. Whole Foods?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 3:49 pm

      whole foods!

  • Lauren
    March 4, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Teddy just made my heart melt!

  • Ann
    March 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    You had me at citrus curd. I am so there.

  • Emma
    March 4, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    These would be a perfect dessert for a Breast Cancer Fundraiser! It is really hard to find sophisticated food that is naturally pink

  • Katie @ www.princessofpavement.com
    March 4, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Okay, I seriously NEED to eat these!!! And I agree, pink food does taste better 🙂

  • Teresa
    March 4, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    OMG !!! Teddy is soooo adorable and I love your tart recipie but where’s the step by step instructions with …you know…. pictures of your NEW kitchen?

    • jenna
      March 4, 2011 at 6:34 pm

      my new kitchen is in complete shambles right now! I promise to post a photo once things calm down a bit!

  • Tracy @ Commit To Fit
    March 4, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Dexter is an awesome name for a puppy and he is adorable!

  • Heather
    March 4, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    Teddy is adorable! I can’t wait to try these blood orange tarts! Mini-tarts are my new favorite things. Thanks, Jenna!

  • Megan@Dirty Dishes Daily
    March 4, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    You simple can’t go wrong with a yummy citrus fruit like blood oranges and decadent dessert.

  • Kiran
    March 4, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Cute teddy! And I love anything that ends with Tart 🙂

  • Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel
    March 4, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    i wanna pour some of that citrus curd on my breakfast oats!! <3 MmmMMMmm

  • Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down)
    March 5, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Teddy is adorable! I need a dog in my life. 😀

    And the tart looks mouthwateringly delicious! I love the light pink color. It would be perfect for a bridal or baby shower, I think. 😀

  • Clizia
    March 5, 2011 at 5:16 am

    Oh yes, pink food does taste better!!! I am sure you’re gonna be happy in your new home 🙂

  • Michelle @ HER
    March 5, 2011 at 5:37 am

    The pup is cute! Did Teddy get to try some of the gooey tart?

  • kate@ahealthypassion
    March 5, 2011 at 6:34 am

    I havent tried blood oranges yet but the color is so beautiful I definitely want to! Those tarts look divine yumm!

  • Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
    March 5, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I am in love with Teddy! What a cutie pie

    Blood orange curd and sugar cookie crust? Oh yeah!

  • Katrina
    March 5, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    These tarts look so good! Awesome recipe.

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie
    March 5, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Oh it’s perfectly gorgeous! I’ve never made curd but I have always wanted to. Blood oranges are on sale at my Hyvee so I should definitely now!

  • Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
    March 6, 2011 at 6:04 am

    1. That dog might be one of the cutest perks to your new place. 🙂
    2. Blood Orange Tart? Brilliant. And cute. And delicious looking!

  • Alli
    March 6, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I made these last night but subbed the blood orange (which my sad limited grocery store didn’t have) for grapefruit — soooo good! My only question is, the dough was super hard to work with. I ended up adding a whole egg (vs. just the yolk) but it still remained really crumbly. I was able to roll out and flatten a ping-pong ball-sized amount, but anything bigger than that would just fall apart. So I used a mini muffin tin to make teeny tarts instead! (375 for 15 minutes did the trick)

  • Jenny
    March 6, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    that looks great! I love salmon:)

  • egb
    March 6, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    Tarts look so yummy!

  • Kayla @ Fitter Than Choc
    March 6, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    Moving house can be a tiring thing to do, but you did it! What’s even better is that you made these gorgeous blood orange tarts! I have been reading your blog for some time, and all the foods that you post here looks so good. Pink foods certainly look delish!

  • Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
    March 7, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    These look positively beautiful! I adore blood oranges. I will definitely be making these – and extra curd to have over greek yoghurt – perfection 🙂
    Heidi xo

  • Kristin
    March 9, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    I am no longer a curd-virgin. And THIS…. This my dear is AMAZING. I may scrap dinner all together and have this on pancakes…

    • jenna
      March 9, 2011 at 6:28 pm

      glad you liked it! 🙂

      • Kristin
        March 18, 2011 at 10:24 am

        And, I made it again yesterday with grapefruit and of course it’s JUST as delectable!

  • Kelsey
    March 12, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    I LOVE blood oranges but they can be so hard to find, even when they’re in season. I always have to drive out to my Whole Foods to find them.