Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie Recipe from Tartine (2024)

In a small bowl, add the salt to the water and stir to dissolve. Keep very cold until ready to use. Put the flour in the food processor bowl. Cut the butter into 1-inch pieces and scatter the pieces over the flour. Pulse briefly until the mixture forms large crumbs and some of the butter is still in pieces the size of peas. Add the water-and-salt mixture and pulse for several seconds until the dough begins to come together in a ball but is not completely smooth. You should still be able to see some butter chunks. On a lightly floured work surface, shape the dough into a ball, then flatten to a disk 1 inch thick. Wrap well in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or for up to overnight.

Slice the lemon paper-thin, discarding the thicker stem end and any seeds. Put them in a nonreactive bowl (stainless steel or glass) and, using a spoon or your hands, toss with the sugar. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours or for up to overnight. If any seeds are still left, they will usually float to the top, where they are easily fished out. If you are using the more tender-skinned Meyer lemons, you can proceed to the next step without letting them sit, as the skins don't need the sugar to tenderize them.

On a floured surface or between two pieces of plastic wrap, roll out the tart dough to fill a 10 inch tart or pie pan.

Line a 10-inch tart pan (the kind with a removable bottom) with the tart dough, easing it into the bottom and sides and leaving a half-inch overhang. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and salt together until blended. Add the eggs to the lemon mixture, mixing thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the pastry-lined tart pan. The mixture will be very liquid, so you must evenly distribute the lemon pieces in the pan.

Using your hands press the edges of the tart dough into the edge of the tart pan causing the dough to tear right at the edge.

Then use a small pastry brush to take some of the egg liquid from the pie to brush the rim of the pastry so that it comes out with a nice shine.

Chill for about 30 minutes. (Chilling the assembled pie is to firm up the pockets of butter in the dough, so that when the pie is put into the oven, the butter pockets will melt, creating the flaky texture you want in your finished dough.) While the pie is chilling, position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F (180C).

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place the tart pan on the lined baking sheet. Bake the pie until it is light gold on top and filling is bubbling about 45-50 minutes. If the top is coloring too quickly, place a piece of foil or parchment loosely over the top. Let the pie cool completely before slicing to allow the filling to set properly. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed (though the pie needs to cool completely for the filling to set up, it can be warmed up a little in the oven before serving). The pie will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.