Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Lemon curd is easily made from scratch from fresh lemons, butter, sugar, and egg yolks. The intense citrus flavor is irresistible. This tart dessert spread can be used as a tangy ingredient in sweets, baked goods, or breakfast. Once you make your own, you’ll never go back to store bought!

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe works so well:
  • What exactly is lemon curd?
  • Equipment needed:
  • Here’s how to make it:
  • Cooking tips for perfect results:
  • Best ways to enjoy lemon curd:
  • Lemon Curd Recipe

Why this recipe works so well:

Lemon curd, especially the homemade kind, makes my mouth pucker! So if intense flavor is what you’re looking for, this recipe is for you.

  • 4 simple ingredients – Butter, sugar, lemons, and egg yolks are all that’s needed to create this recipe.
  • Perfect results – Unlike store bought lemon curd, you can control the thickness of your curd.
  • Easy to make – Some kitchen equipment is needed, but the process is simple and no experience is needed with this easy recipe.

What exactly is lemon curd?

Simply put, it is a citrus dessert spread or topping that is made from fresh lemon zest and juice, sugar, butter and egg yolks.

The ingredients are gently cooked together over heat and then allowed to cool. The final result is a smooth, luscious, intensely flavored lemon treat. Similar to a pudding or custard, the rich and creamy egg yolks produce the richest, most flavorful lemon curd.

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

Equipment needed:

  • Electric mixer: You can use a stand mixer like a KitchenAid or a hand mixer.
  • Double boiler: If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make your own with a pan of water and a bowl on top.
  • Whisk: Any kind of metal whisk will work and the curd is whisked the entire time it is cooked.
  • Zester: I highly recommend using a Microplane.
  • Thermometer: You will need to cook the lemon curd to a specific temperature.

Here’s how to make it:

  1. You’ll start by creaming the softened butter using an electric mixer. You’ll beat in the sugar and lemon zest until it is light and fluffy. Then, you’ll reduce the speed to low and mix in the egg yolks, one at a time. Finally you’ll mix in the lemon juice.
  2. To cook the curd, you’ll use a double boiler set up on the stove where the steam from gently boiling water heats the curd mixture in the bowl above. Continually whisk the mixture while it heats. It will take about 10 minutes to cook.
  3. Once the lemon curd hits the desired temperature, you’ll cover it and refrigerate until it’s cool.

Cooking tips for perfect results:

  • Gentle cooking: You must be careful to be gentle with the heat which is why I recommend using a double boiler as opposed to cooking in a pan over direct heat. Any time you’re cooking eggs on the stove top, they can curdle if you increase the temperature too rapidly or you don’t whisk it enough.
  • Desired thickness: The lemon curd gets thick when you cook it. I stopped cooking when it got to 170°F because I like it on the thinner side. If you prefer it to be thicker, just continue cooking until it reaches 180°F. You can also add an additional egg yolk if you want it thicker.
  • Lemon varieties: Standard lemons that are available year-round can definitely be used to make homemade lemon curd. My preference, however, is to use Meyer Lemons. They are sweeter, less acidic, and more aromatic. The downside is that they are generally only available during the first couple months of the year.
Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

Best ways to enjoy lemon curd:

You’ve made your own delicious homemade lemon curd. Now you need to know what to do with it. Here are some great ideas:

  • Cut up strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, banana, and raspberries and toss in a spoonful of the lemon curd. The result will be some Fruit Salad. Not only will the curd sweeten it with a tart tang, but the acid in the lemon will keep the fruit looking fresh.
  • Transform that lemon curd into lemon meringue pie. All I did was thicken my lemon curd with some corn starch and it created the perfect filling for this citrus classic.
  • Use lemon curd on top of vanilla ice cream. A little goes a long way here.
  • How about ditching the syrup and topping your lemon blueberry pancakes with lemon curd and warm berries. Mercy.
  • Replace the chocolate in s’mores with your homemade lemon curd. Take it to the next level by also making your own homemade marshmallows. It will taste like a heavenly lemon meringue pie, without the work or the dirty dishes.
  • And you simply cannot make lemon curd without also making some homemadeButtermilk Lemon Scones or Raspberry Lemon Scones!

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Lemon curd is easily made from scratch from fresh lemons, butter, sugar, and egg yolks. The intense citrus flavor in lemon curd is irresistible. This tart dessert spread can be used as a tangy ingredient in sweets, baked good, or breakfast. Once you make your own, you’ll never go back to store bought!

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 cube) softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • zest from 3 lemons
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Using a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the sugar and lemon zest and blend until smooth, scraping sides down half way through.

  • On low speed, add the egg yolks one at a time. Then add the lemon juice. Mix until combined.

  • Add about 1/2 inch of water to a pan and set a non-reactive metal bowl on top. You want a double boiler set up so that the steam from the water cooks the lemon curd; not direct heat.

  • Add the lemon mixture to the bowl and heat the water so that it boils, whisking the lemon mixture the entire time. Be sure to use an instant read thermometer. The curd should thicken around 170 degrees F, after about 10 minutes of cooking and whisking, and this will yield lemon curd that is on the thinner side. If you want your lemon curd to be a bit thicker and less runny, bring the temperature up to 180 degrees F before removing from the heat, still constantly whisking.

  • Remove the curd from the heat, transfer to a glass container, cover the surface of the curd with plastic wrap so that a skin doesn’t form, and refrigerate until cool.

  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week or so. Alternatively, you can freeze lemon curd and thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Notes

Recipe makes about 2 cups. Nutritional info based on a serving size of approximately 2 tablespoons.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 76mg, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 18mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 258IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade lemon curd last in the fridge? ›

Lemon curd will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, so it is great to make it in advance when you need it to fill cakes and pastries.

Why did my lemon curd not set? ›

Trouble shooting: Most Lemon Curds are runny because they don't get cooked long enough, to 170 degrees F, to thicken the egg yolks – so cook on! If your curd isn't thickened after 10 minutes, or up to 15 if using a double boiler, then increase the temperature of the stove slightly – and don't stop whisking!

How to thicken homemade lemon curd? ›

To thicken runny lemon curd, put the curd back into your saucepan, place over the lowest possible heat, and stir constantly.

How to fix metallic taste in lemon curd? ›

Processed white, granulated sugar have the tendency to make lemon curds metallic. So, if you find that your curd have a slight metallic flavor, you can try substituting process sugar for raw sugar, like cane sugar.

Can you freeze fresh made 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.

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.

How to tell when lemon curd is done? ›

Dip a spoon into the curd then run your finger over the back of it. If it leaves a clean line in the curd, it's cooked enough and ready to cool. Curd will thicken up more once cooled completely. Spoon into a container, cover and refrigerate.

How to get lemon curd to set? ›

Cook the lemon curd until thickened – see photos above. Once properly cooked, it should thickly coat the back of a spoon. After you've mixed in the butter, allow the lemon curd to cool fully (and ideally also chill it). As it cools down, the butter will firm up and this will help properly set the lemon curd.

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.

How do I know if my lemon curd is thick enough? ›

I cook mine for about 2 minutes because I like thick lemon curd. Test the thickness by dipping the back of a spoon into your lemon curd and drag your finger across it. If it holds the shape without dripping off too quickly, it's done!

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.

What if my lemon curd is too sour? ›

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 do you reduce the bitterness in curd? ›

To make your current batch edible add some fruit and enough sugar or honey to overcome the sour taste. You can also try straining it to make greek yogurt. Line a colander with cheesecloth or paper towel and put it into a bowl. Pour yogurt into the colander and put it the fridge for a few hours.

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.

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.

What is the shelf life of homemade curd in fridge? ›

Upto 5 days and 11 days dahi could be stored at room temperature (24°C) and refrigeration temperature (7°C) was in good condition with acceptable quality respectively. ... Products like yoghurt are known more for their therapeutic significance than nutritional value [11] .

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

Signs of Spoilage

When lemon curd begins to spoil, there are identifiable changes in texture, smell, and taste. One should watch for: Texture: Any signs of separation or a watery consistency can indicate spoilage. Smell: A sour or off-putting aroma is a clear signal that the lemon curd should not be consumed.

How long does homemade canned lemon curd last? ›

It is similar to lemon custard, but traditionalists feel that curd has more lemon flavor than lemon custard. Made fresh it has a refrigerator shelf life of approx. 1 week. Canned, it can have a shelf life of approximately 3 to 4 months.

Is it OK to reheat lemon curd? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

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