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Home » My Latest Recipes

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

Jun 13, 2023 · 10 Comments

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This easy lemon curd recipe is rich and tangy with a bright citrus flavor. Keep a jar of this curd in the fridge to spread on crepes or scones. Add it to cake fillings, swirl into yogurt or top off pancakes fresh from the griddle.

lemon curd recipe from dessertswithstephanie.com
Jump to:
  • What is lemon curd
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Lemon curd uses
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Top tips
  • 📋 Recipe
  • Related
  • Food safety

What is lemon curd

Lemon curd is a sweet and citrusy spread made from lemon juice, eggs, sugar, and butter. It is used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes.

Ingredients

ingredients for lemon curd
  • Unsalted butter: cut the butter into ½" cubes and keep in refrigerator
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Egg yolks: save those egg whites for an omelet, meringue cookies or macarons
  • Lemon juice: use freshly squeezed or a high-quality bottled juice. I like the Nellie & Joe's.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

The process involves cooking the egg yolks, sugar and lemon juice together on a stovetop. The ingredients are cooked over low heat until they thicken to a custard-like consistency. Then, cold butter cubes are stirred into the hot curd.

See the recipe card below for more details.

Lemon curd uses

Lemon curd can be used in various ways. Consider one of the following:

  • Cake fillings: lighten the curd with whipped cream
  • Lemon Thumbprint Cookies: Use the curd to fill thumbprint cookies.

thumbprint cookies with lemon curd
  • Toast, crepes or scones: Spread on a bit of the curd and enjoy!
  • Pies and Tarts: Spread a layer of lemon curd in baked pie shells. Add a topping of fresh berries for a refreshing dessert.
mini lemon curd pies with fresh berries

Equipment

Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for making the lemon curd. This allows for more even heat distribution and lessens the possibility of burning the curd.

Storage

Store the curd in a clean, airtight container for up to 10 days in your refrigerator. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

three jars of lemon curd and a lemon tree

Top tips

While the curd is still warm, place it in a container and press plastic wrap against the top. This will help prevent a skin from forming on the curd.

Lemon curd can be a unique and thoughtful homemade gift. Package it in decorative jars, add a personalized label and ribbon, and give it to friends or friends.

📋 Recipe

lemon curd in a bowl

Lemon Curd Recipe

This recipe creates a delicious and versatile Lemon Curd for use in a variety of dessert dishes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Cooling Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Spanish
Servings 1 12 ounces
Calories 2038 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed saucepan
  • Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
  • Hand whisk

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Cup Granulated sugar
  • 8 Large Egg yolks
  • ½ Cup Lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
  • 8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cold and cut into ½" cubes

Instructions
 

  • Combine the lemon juice, egg yolks and granulated sugar in a small saucepan.
    1 Cup Granulated sugar, ½ Cup Lemon juice (fresh or bottled), 8 Large Egg yolks
  • Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
  • Continue to heat for 3 - 5 minutes until mixture thickens and begins to simmer (temperature will be approximately 180 ℉).
  • Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in cold butter. Continue stirring until all the butter has melted.
    8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, cold and cut into ½" cubes
  • Optional if any lumps formed in curd: Strain curd through a sieve placed over a bowl to remove any lumps.
  • Press plastic wrap over the top of the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Place in refrigerator until cooled completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 2038kcalCarbohydrates: 213gProtein: 23gFat: 128gSaturated Fat: 71gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 39gTrans Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1710mgSodium: 789mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 203gVitamin A: 4767IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 4mg
Keyword lemon curd
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • easy mango curd recipe
    Easy Mango Curd with Four Ingredients
  • cookies with lemon zest on a serving platter
    Zesty Lemon Cookies Recipe

Food safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Giangi Townsend says

    July 14, 2023 at 1:42 am

    5 stars
    I am so in love with your lemon curd, and I always keep a jar in the refrigerator. You ne ver know when it will come in handy.
    Thank you for your recipe.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      July 14, 2023 at 1:31 pm

      Aw Giangi, thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  2. Jessica says

    July 13, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    5 stars
    I made this lemon curd today and OMG was it delicious! So bright, fresh and delectable!

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      July 13, 2023 at 9:27 pm

      Thank you for letting me know, Jessica. So pleased the recipe worked well for you.

      Reply
  3. Gloria says

    July 12, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    5 stars
    I love lemon curd. I could (and do) eat it by the spoonful. Such a great recipe.

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    June 30, 2023 at 5:09 am

    5 stars
    Love this lemon curd recipe. Made it with Meyer lemons and ate it with a spoon. Yum.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      June 30, 2023 at 2:56 pm

      Mary, yes, Meyer lemons are the best! Thank you for your review.

      Reply
  5. Andréa Janssen says

    June 21, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I wanted to make lemon curd cupcakes and was looking for a delicious recipe to make the lemon curd from scratch. So glad I found this recipe!

    Reply
  6. Gloria says

    June 21, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    I can eat lemon curd by the spoonful. So easy to make, and so much better than store bought.

    Reply
  7. Connie Grigg says

    June 21, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    Brilliant. I am always looking for ways to use lemons- never thought of lemon curd. Never knew it was so simple! Thank you for this beautiful recipe. Yum!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Pastry Chef Stephanie

Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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