Homemade Lemon Curd is smooth, creamy, and just the right sweet-tart flavour balance. It turns out perfect every time.
Easy, fool-proof recipe. Simple ingredients. You will never want store-bought again.
Bursting with fresh citrus flavour, this easy-to-make lemon curd recipe is a sure hit for lemon lovers.
This lemony spread is so delicious that you will want to eat it by the spoonful! Did you know it is the perfect filling for making easy lemon tarts? It is also delicious in a lemon curd parfait.
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 curd filling.
You might be wondering what the heck is lemon curd? It is a condiment. Think jam, jelly, marmalade, or even custard. It has a smooth texture, sweet/tart flavour, and beautiful yellow colour.
Very popular in Britain, this fruit curd is sometimes referred to as “lemon cheese”. Alternative recipes make it with oranges, limes, or berry curds. Served with scones at afternoon tea.
Simple Lemon Curd Ingredients
Really basic ingredients. You will need:
- fresh lemons
- butter
- eggs (whole eggs and egg yolks)
- sugar
How To Make Perfect 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! Full instructions are in the recipe card.
- First, juice and zest your lemons. To juice the lemons I like to use a *(affiliate) citrus reamer. To make the lemon zest, a *(affiliate) microplane works best.
- Separate the eggs and place the whole eggs and egg yolks in a bowl.
- Beat the sugar and butter.
- Add the eggs and fresh lemon juice.
- Cook until thick and smooth. Be sure to follow the cooking instructions to avoid over cooking.
- Add the lemon zest.
- Place in a glass bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow to cool, then enjoy!
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
Lemon curd will last 1-2 weeks. Place it in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge. Alternatively, you can also freeze it to prolong its shelf life.
Be very careful not to overcook the lemon curd. This will cause it to become rubbery or lumpy because the egg proteins will coagulate, and the curd will contain bits of cooked egg.
Lemon Curd Uses
So many ways to use this delicious 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.
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.
Homemade Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- 3 ounces unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ⅔ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoons lemon zest
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.
Danielle Wolter
lemon curd is seriously one of the best things ever. I make vats of it every year. I actually have some in my fridge right now. it’s such great stuff!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is great to have on hand. Good so many ways.
Byron Thomas
I love, love, love lemon curd! Your version looks so thick, Gloria. I was reading some of your suggestions for serving, and I have to say, my favourite way to serve lemon curd is as a dessert. I place some plain yogurt in a dessert dish, swirl in a good helping of lemon curd, top it with fresh blueberries and a little sprig of fresh mint. I looks super impressive, and no one needs to know how easy it was! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
You really gotta love when simple is so delicious. I need to make some scones. Such a great way to enjoy it too.
Jolina
I just love making lemon curd (or lemon cheese, I love that!!). I usually make lots in the winter when meyer lemons are everywhere, then hide it from everyone so it lasts me till spring lol.
Homemade & Yummy
OMG Meyer lemons are the best. Perfect for making delicious curd.
Debra
You’re right! With winter dragging on, this lemon curd would definitely be a harbinger of spring. Going to make it tonight. I would totally spread that on a blueberry muffin for breakfast. YUM.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…spread away. SOOO good.
Jere Cassidy
I have a tree full of lemons ready to be picked. This would be perfect to make along with some scones.
Homemade & Yummy
Wow I wish I had a lemon tree. YES this is the perfect place to use them!! ENJOY!
SHANIKA
This Lemon Curd recipe sounds so easy! I definitely love making this homemade and it’s perfect for so many sweet treats!
Homemade & Yummy
It really is easy. Hope you give it a try.
Jillian
Lemons are the first sign of spring! I love all the recipes running through my head that this would be perfect for! Or I can just eat this with a spoon!
Homemade & Yummy
YES I happen to think eating it with a spoon is the best way LOL!
Hannah F Healy
I used to love lemon curd as a kid, but it’s been so long since I’ve had it. This looks delish!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this recipe a try and see just how easy it is to make.
Elizabeth
Lemon curd is one of my most favourite things, ever! Love how easy you make it sound to make my own!
Homemade & Yummy
Give it a try. You will be a pro the first time.
Julie Wallace
Lemon pie without meringue??! OMG, your grandson sounds awesome, I love it!
You’re inspiring me to give lemon curd another go – I screwed it up the last time 🙁
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…he is a special little guy that is for sure. Gramma will make a “meringue-less” pie for him.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
I always wanted to try making lemon curd – had no idea is was so simple!
Chef G
Truly so easy.
The Hungry Mum
We have so many lemons at the mo – The Hungry Dad raided his mum’s tree so I am looking at ways to use them up. This curd looks so lush 🙂
Chef G
Awesome…how nice to have such fresh lemons.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
i love the colour! I can just imagien spreading it on some freshly baked bread.
Chef G
I know the colour is stunning….and the curd it so delicious!!
Alison
I love lemon curd but still not tried to make it. It doesn’t look as hard as I thought so will have to try it
Chef G
It really is easier than you think!
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels
This looks so beautiful, your photos are stunning, so vibrant. I adore curds and having recently made blood orange curd have quite an addiction to them at the moment, so I will definitely be trying this version out, I’m imagining it slathered in a Victoria sponge. Yum!
Chef G
Oh yes that would be so yummy!!