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Luscious Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

This rich, bright, homemade lemon curd adds gorgeous flavor to pancakes, crepes, lemon bars and so many other recipes. Lemon curd is easy to make with fresh lemons, eggs and butter; and makes a beautiful filling or topping for a variety of desserts and baked goods.

This is one of those recipes that is a staple for any home baker. It is so simple to make, and brings such a depth of flavor and texture to the experience. You can use your homemade lemon curd as a base for lemon meringue, a filling for cakes and donuts, to make decadent lemon tarts and cookies; or, for a scrumptious topping to breakfast pastries.

Homemade Lemon Curd
A delicious, tangy homemade lemon curd

What is homemade lemon curd made of?

Our homemade lemon curd recipe is made with butter, fresh lemon juice and zest, sugar, and eggs. It creates such a luscious, silky sauce that can be thickened to use a filling or thinned out for a drizzle over cookies and pastries. It comes together quickly on the stovetop, and will hold well in the fridge for several days.

What can I use homemade lemon curd for?

Lemon curd has so many delicious ways to enjoy. Here is a rundown of some of our favorites.

  • As a filling for cakes, donuts, crepes, and tarts
  • Thinned out and used as a drizzle for cookies, pound cakes, sponge cakes, and puff pastry
  • Use this recipe as a base for meringues and lemon pies
  • Spread over cheesecake, tray bakes, and crumble desserts
  • Make a delicious lemon buttercream or frosting
  • Enjoy with ice cream, or make your own sorbet, or icy dessert with it during the hot summer months
Lemon Curd
A lovely filling for so many baked goods

What is the difference between a jam and a curd?

Curds are made with the fruit juices being cooked down with sugars. Jams are made with the whole fruit, and either strained to remove the seeds, or served with seeds. Curds tend to have a silkier, creamier consistency while jams are firm and have a rougher texture that holds stronger.

Can you buy lemon curd at the grocery store?

While we believe making your own is the way to go for superior flavor and texture, you can purchase lemon curds in most grocery stores. They will be found in the jam and preserve aisle of your supermarket, and you will most likely see them label as a custard.

Bear in mind that anything store bought will likely contain added sugars, stabilizers, and preservatives that your homemade lemon curd will not need.

Lemon Curd 1
Use this lemon curd as a filling for your homemade donuts

Homemade Lemon Curd can be stored for longer periods

Once the lemon curd is made, allow it to cool fully and then transfer it to an airtight glass container with an affixed lid. Homemade lemon curd can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 weeks if necessary, so it is very easy to make it ahead of time if you are working to prep for a busy party or large event.

Homemade lemon curd can also be frozen if necessary. Make the curd as directed, then transfer it to a freezer safe bag or container with the excess air removed. Be sure to label it with the date and name. When you are ready to use the curd thaw it out in the fridge. Your homemade lemon curd can be frozen for 1-2 months if stored properly without fear of affecting the flavor or texture.

Recipe Notes on Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

This recipe is very simple, just don’t overcook it or the eggs will turn into little white bits in the curd. It will affect the texture and could affect the flavor if the heat becomes too intense. Curd is one of those sauces that requires a light hand and patience.

Zesting the lemon can be challenging if you don’t have a grater, so we recommend investing in one if you don’t already own one. A cheese grater will work, but a straight long grater will make the process much quicker. It will also help to protect your fingers from cuts.

Lemon Curd 2
Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

How to Make Homemade Lemon Curd

The process is simple, and very quick, just be careful to stay with it as it can scald or even burn which will ruin the flavor and texture of your gorgeous lemon curd.

  • Whisk together juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in a 2-quart heavy saucepan
  • Stir in butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking frequently
  • When the first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes; remove from heat immediately
  • Transfer lemon curd to a covered bowl and chill until cold, at least 1 hour
  • Curd can be chilled up to 1 week
Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe
Yield: 24 servings

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This rich, bright, homemade lemon curd adds gorgeous lemony flavor to pancakes, crepes or lemon bars. Lemon curd is easy to make with fresh lemons, eggs and butter; and makes a wonderful filling or topping for a variety of desserts and baked goods.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into bits

Instructions

  1. Whisk together juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in a 2-quart heavy saucepan.
  2. Stir in butter and cook over moderately low heat, whisking frequently, until curd is thick enough to hold the marks of the whisk.
  3. When the first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes; remove from heat immediately.
  4. Transfer lemon curd to a covered bowl and chill until cold, at least 1 hour.
  5. Curd can be chilled up to 1 week.

Notes

NOTE: Do NOT boil. The eggs will overcook and you will have little pieces of egg floating about in your curd.

Nutrition Information


Amount Per Serving Calories 52

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Here are more delicious dessert fillings and sauces

Try these treats and desserts with your homemade lemon curd

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Thick And Creamy Lemon Curd Recipe-Pin Image
This rich, bright, homemade lemon curd adds gorgeous lemony flavor. Add to pancakes, crepes, lemon bars and so many other recipes.

Laurie Robinson

Tuesday 6th of February 2018

Can this be used for lemon meringue pie?

Diane

Tuesday 6th of February 2018

Hi Laurie, I don't use it for my lemon meringue pie recipes. Lemon curd is a thick sauce. It won't set up firmly like the lemon filling a lemon pie requires. If you need a good Meringue lemon pie filling check out ours. It's very easy and also very similar to this curd recipe. But it does use cornstarch to firm it up. Thanks for the question and Have a great day!

Isadora Guidoni

Friday 26th of January 2018

I've never tried making a lemon curd myself, so I must say I'm curious to try it. Thanks for sharing!

Diane

Friday 26th of January 2018

My Pleasure Isadora. Enjoy!

Alyse

Monday 8th of January 2018

Made this for the 1st time and was pleasantly surprised how good it was! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

Diane

Monday 8th of January 2018

Hi Alyse, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.Thank you for sharing your experience with our lemon curd recipe. Have a great day!

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