Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

*Updated* Apr 05, 2022 / By: 172 Comments

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Perfect Lemon Curd is smooth, creamy and just the right sweet-tart flavour balance.

Easy fool-proof recipe. Simple ingredients. You will never want store-bought again. It is gluten-free too.

Did you know it is the perfect filling for making easy lemon tarts?

Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (1)Pin

This lemony spread is so delicious, you will want to eat it by the spoonful!

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RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this easy homemade fruit curd are at the bottom of this post.

Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2)Pin

When it comes to SPRING I immediately think of citrus desserts. I am so ready for the bright yellow sun and fresh flavours. Lemon Polenta Cake often makes an appearance on my Easter dinner table.

Lemon Ice Cream seems to be a hit around here. However, my grandson has requested a pie for his birthday this year. The perfect place for this lemon filling.

It also is delicious in a lemon curd parfait.

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Recipe Ingredients

Really basic ingredients. You will need:

  • fresh lemons
  • butter
  • eggs (whole eggs and egg yolks)
  • sugar

What Is It?

Lemon curd is a condiment. Think jam, jelly, marmalade or even custard.It has a smooth texture, sweet/tart flavour and beautiful yellow colour.

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Very popular in Britain, this fruit curd is sometimes referred to as “lemon cheese”. Alternative recipes make it with oranges, limes, or berry curds.

Very popular in England, served with scones at the afternoon tea.

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Making Easy Lemon Curd

For some reason, I thought it was a difficult thing to make. Some recipes require you to strain the curd to get it silky smooth. With this fool-proof method, it will be perfect the first time!

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  1. Start by juicing and zesting your lemons.
  2. Separate the eggs (for the yolks) and place them in a bowl with the whole eggs
  3. Beat the sugar and butter
  4. Add the eggs
  5. Mix in the juice
  6. Cook until thick and smooth
  7. Add in the zest
  8. Done

This recipe calls for the use of fresh lemons.

To juice the lemons I like to use a *(affiliate) citrus reamer.

To make the lemon zest, a *(affiliate) Microplane works best.

How Long Will It Last?

Lemon curd will last 1-2 weeks. Place it in a sealed container and keep in the fridge. Alternatively, you can also freeze it to prolong the shelf life.

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Ways To Use It

So many ways to use delicious this lemon recipe.

  • as a spread (think toast, muffins, biscuits, scones, croissants)
  • as a topping (think pancakes, waffles, ice cream)
  • as a filling (think lemon tarts, cupcakes, cakes, and pies)
  • as a dip (mixed with cream cheese)
  • great on pavlova
  • added to make lemon flavoured yogurt
  • a great way to make lemon mousse
  • eat it as a lemon custard
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Store-bought lemon curd will be a thing of the past once you try this easy recipe.

If you love making easy desserts, give Classic Sabayon a try. Made with only 3 ingredients, egg yolks, sugar, and wine. A rich and creamy classic French dessert made in minutes.

Be sure toCLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTONlocated in theTOP MENU.

More Lemon Lover Dessert Recipes

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Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (10)

Perfect Lemon Curd

Perfect Lemon Curd is smooth, thick and has a luscious lemon flavour. Use it with biscuits, pancakes/waffles or in pies and tarts. Easy to make and has the right sweet/tart balance.

5 from 103 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Baking

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 138kcal

Author:

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoons lemon zest

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Juice and zest lemons.

  • Separate yolks, and place whole eggs and yolks into a bowl.

  • Using a mixer of your choice, beat sugar and butter till fluffy (2-3 minutes).

  • Add eggs (slowly) and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes.

  • Mix in lemon juice until combined.

  • Pour into heavy bottomed saucepan and cook over low heat until mixture is smooth.

  • At this point increase heat to medium and cook until thickened (about 15 minutes).

  • DO NOT boil, and stir constantly while cooking.

  • Once you can leave a path along the back of the spoon, the mixture is done.

  • Remove from heat and stir in zest.

  • Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

  • Be sure the wrap is touching the surface of the curd to avoid “skinning” while cooling.

  • When cool, place in a sealed container until ready to use.

  • It will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

  • You can also freeze for later use.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 27mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Notes

This recipe makes 1 ½ cups of lemon curd.

This recipe was adapted from fine Cooking.

Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy

Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie-Pierre Breton

    Lovely smooth curd you’ve made there! I’m going to try it out! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • I love lemon curd and can eat it by the spoonful. ENJOY!

  2. Marcia Lynch

    How bad would it be to use bottled lemon juice?

    Reply

    • I honestly do not know the answer. My best guess is that it should work. If you try, please let me know how it turned out.

  3. Tracy

    Perfect indeed!! This is so so good!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed this lemon tart recipe.

  4. Rena

    Hey there, have you tried canning this?

    Reply

    • I have not tried canning this. It is quick lemon curd, and not the traditional water bath recipe.

  5. Cathe

    I made this and wanted to eat it right away it was sweet but tart so good

    Reply

    • I can eat this lemon curd by the spoonful…so glad you enjoyed the recipe.

  6. Stacia

    Thank you for sharing this super easy recipe. Perfect combination for my pallet of sweet and tart. I have celiac so I made a puff pastry and filled it with your lemon curd. Light and delicious.

    Reply

    • Puff pastry is the perfect place for this lemon curd. Sounds like a delicious plan to me.

    • Deb

      I tried an easier recipe, no mixing etc. No comparison to the flavor of this one! I increased the zest to 1 tablespoon. Very good!! Will try to freeze a small container for later.

    • OMG I can eat this lemon curd by the spoonful. ENJOY!

  7. Ruth Anderson

    My favorite is to make a double batch of the curd then use up the leftover egg whites (plus a few more) in a homemade angel food cake. Then top the cake with a generous dollup of whipped cream and drizzle with the lemon curd. Simply the best!!

    Reply

    • Making a double batch sounds like a plan to me. I can eat this by the spoonful.

  8. Paula

    Just found your recipe and I think I will try it! Question: can I use yolks only, or do you recommend the whole eggs and yolks as written?

    Reply

    • Hello Paula, I have only done it with both as written, so I cannot say if it would turn out or not.

    • Monica

      I’m confused. Do you separate the eggs and use BOTH the yolks AND whites?

    • Hello, for this recipe you are using BOTH, 2 whole eggs and 2 additional egg yolks.

  9. Dana

    I could eat lemon curd with a damn spoon. It’s so good and creamy and bright and tangy! I don’t know why I only make it when I’m doing a lemon meringue pie. It would be great to just have it on hand in a jar like this, free for use. Thanks for the inspo!

    Reply

    • I do eat it by the spoon….it works…and it highly addictive.

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Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to thicken lemon curd? ›

More times than not the, curd just needs to be cooked longer in order for the egg proteins to set. If your curd has been cooked to 170 degrees and it still hasn't thickened, then make a slurry by whisking 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

How long can you keep homemade lemon curd in the fridge? ›

Pour the cooked curd through a sieve into a clean jug to remove the zest, then pour into sterilised jars. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Why didn't my lemon curd set? ›

If your lemon curd hasn't thickened, it may not have been heated enough. It can take up to 30 minutes of constant stirring to cook lemon curd, especially if it's a large batch. Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken.

What is the best brand of lemon curd? ›

The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows. The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows.

Can you overcook lemon curd? ›

Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

If you just place all the ingredients in a saucepan without beating the butter and sugar with the eggs first, the curd tends to taste eggy. Add the lemon juice and tablespoons of lemon zest and mix.

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

Can I freeze homemade lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

What if my lemon curd is too sour? ›

If you measured correctly according to the instructions and still feel it is too sour, you can add about ¼ cup more sugar next time you make it.

How to tell when lemon curd is done? ›

Don't be tempted to use bottled lemon juice of any kind as it'll be far too acidic and will ruin the flavor. You'll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens in consistency and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Keep the heat low, don't turn it up to quicken the process or the eggs will scramble.

Why does my lemon curd have white bits? ›

If you have your heat too high you will curdle your eggs and have white bits in your curd. If you do, don't worry too much about it, you can still eat it as is, and you won't really notice a difference in the flavor, you just won't have that perfectly smooth texture.

Why is my lemon curd not bright yellow? ›

The color of the lemon curd is depending on the egg yolks that you use, and if the yolks color is more orange than yellow, then your lemon curd will turn dark yellow- orange color and not bright yellow.

What is Sicilian lemon curd? ›

Sicilian Lemon Curd Deliciously rich and smooth, tangy organic lemon curd. Naturally ripened in the Sicilian sunshine, organic lemons are mixed with organic British free-range eggs and just enough organic butter to create our Sicilian lemon curd.

How much is lemon curd at Aldi? ›

Aldi Grandessa Lemon Curd costs £0.45 for 411g, it's available in shops only. This Aldi lemon curd has a mild but delicious lemon flavour, but it lacks the desired richness.

Why is my lemon curd bitter? ›

Caution: Make sure that no white pith gets into the curd mixture, either from peeling the zest, (cut any white pith off the backs of the peeled strips with a pairing knife if necessary), or from juicing the lemons (don't squeeze too close to the pith). Either of these things could cause the curd to be bitter.

How do you add curd to thicken it? ›

Simply add a small amount of yogurt, like a spoonful, at a time. Stir your yogurt into the curry and keep adding a little more at a time until it reaches your desired thickness. This is great for Indian-style curries as a cream substitute.

Why is my curd not thick? ›

The temperature is too low. If the temp is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the cultures will not ferment properly and the milk will stay runny. The temperature is too high. If the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the yogurt will ferment too fast and will also render the yogurt runny.

How to fix grainy lemon curd? ›

To fix it, remove it from heat and quickly transfer it to a blender or food processor. Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.

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