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 does homemade lemon curd last in fridge? ›

Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn't pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Why won't my lemon curd 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!

Does homemade lemon curd thicken as it cools? ›

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.

Can you preserve homemade lemon curd? ›

Learn how to the traditional British dessert of lemon curd. Canned, it has a shelf life of 3 to 4 months. If you don't mind the darkening that occurs, it can last up to 1 year.

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.

How do you know 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 did my lemon curd curdle? ›

Curdling in lemon curd can occur if the mixture is heated too quickly or if the eggs are cooked at a very high temperature.

Why is my lemon curd bitter? ›

Prep The Lemons Correctly

Don't use a cheese grater to extract the lemon zest, as it will cause the pith to get discarded from the lemon. The pith has a bitter and unpleasant taste, which could cause a negative change in flavour in your lemon curd.

Why does my lemon curd taste like metal? ›

To prevent the curd from acquiring a metallic taste, make absolutely sure that all utensils coming into contact with it--bowls, whisk, saucepan, and strainer--are made of non-reactive stainless steel or glass. Since the tart pan has a removable bottom, it is more easily maneuvered when set on a cookie sheet.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

Although lemon curd uses egg yolks and/or egg whites, the final product shouldn't taste eggy. If it does, it may mean that you've overcooked your eggs. In saying that, traditional lemon curd does have a distinct after taste which doesn't sit well with some.

Why is my lemon curd frothy? ›

Between the heat and whisking, lemon curd gets foamy while it's cooking. As the curd begins to thicken, the foam will start to settle down, and then the addition of the butter at the end of cooking eliminates the foam. So don't panic when you see foam, just keep whisking and cooking.

Can you leave lemon curd out overnight? ›

In a covered, airtight container for up to one week. It doesn't really freeze well. Lemon curd does contain eggs and dairy (butter), so I'd be ok leaving it out for the day if I plan on serving it, but anything overnight definitely would need to be refrigerated.

How long does open jar of lemon curd last? ›

Once opened, a jar of lemon curd should be refrigerated and used within six months for best quality, according to the folks at the J.M. Smucker Co., maker of the Dickinson's brand of lemon curd. Unopened, the jar should have a best-if-used-by date on the label that you should follow.

How long does lemon curd last once made? ›

This homemade lemon curd will last in your fridge for 1-2 weeks, but you can also freeze it! You guys know how I love freezing everything. In the freezer, the lemon curd will last at least a few months and the beautiful part is that it only hardens about as much as ice cream, so you can scoop it out as needed.

Does lemon curd go bad in the fridge? ›

Once opened, a jar of lemon curd should be refrigerated and used within six months for best quality, according to the folks at the J.M. Smucker Co., maker of the Dickinson's brand of lemon curd. Unopened, the jar should have a best-if-used-by date on the label that you should follow.

How long can I keep homemade lemon curd? ›

If the homemade lemon curd is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last for about one month.

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 many days homemade curd can be stored in fridge? ›

Easy tips to store curd for about 4–5 days in the fridge, Curd should be stored at the back of the fridge shelves where the fridge is the coldest, preferably the down last shelf will be the best choice. You should also avoid mixing fresh and used curd. And make sure you use a clean spoon every time you use it.

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