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.
Nicole
Lemon Curd is good for so many things! I love it, particularly on ice cream! It’s lovely. Thank you for showing me how to make it.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this recipe a try. It really is so easy to make.
Lathiya
I have once tried lemon curd and loved it. You made it to the perfection and got lovely yellow color. As you said, once we make this perfect lemon curd, there are various dishes we can make
Homemade & Yummy
Give this recipe a try. You will see just how easy it is to make. Not to mention DELICIOUS.
lauren
Don’t tell anyone but I might like sweet lemon things more than chocolate! Lemon curd is one of my favorite breakfast indulgences. Such a great spring and summer flavor and perfect for spreading on pancakes or muffins!
Homemade & Yummy
I know. I can eat this all year long. Perfect for so many things. I need to make more.
Analida Braeger
Lemon curd has to be one of my favorite things about spring ! Honestly I just eat it out of the jar ! it is SO good
Homemade & Yummy
Eating it out of the jar is THE BEST!!
Stephanie
This lemon curd looks so delicious and is so easy sounding to make! I can just imagine slathering it on my pancakes!
Homemade & Yummy
It is super easy to make. Give it a try and see. You will be hooked!!
Dominique
This lemon curd looks just perfectly creamy! I love the tangy yet sweet flavor of lemon curd and everything you can do with it. Yours looks just PERFECT. I can’t wait to try it!
Homemade & Yummy
This is super easy to make and so delicious. Hope you give it a try.
Dan from Platter Talk
I have never made lemon curd but I think I just found my weekend kitchen project! W love all things lemon and I’m looking forward to adding this to the collection.
Homemade & Yummy
Have fun in the kitchen with this one. Super easy and super delicious.
Denise
This looks delicious. I have never tried making lemon curd, I never realized how easy it was to make. Thanks for sharing.
Homemade & Yummy
Super easy. Hope you give this recipe a try. So many ways to enjoy it too.
Trish Bozeman
I adore lemon curd but have never made my own before. I think it’s time! You’ve got my wheels turning with all the things I could make with lemon curd now. But, like you mentioned, I’ll probably just eat it with a spoon, LOL! Giving this a try, thank you!
Homemade & Yummy
I find it so hard not to just eat this off the spoon. Hope you give it a try. It is SUPER easy.
Jacquelyn Hastert
This sounds like a spring staple that must start happening!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup I need to make more…SOON!
Annemarie
Oooh, lemon curd! I love lemon curd though I’ve always bought it instead of making my own. Now that I see your recipe and how easy it will be to make (finally a use for all those lemons I keep buying!), I’m going to have to make some curd of my own. I’m thinking tarts with fresh berries. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
This is super easy to make. So much better than anything in the store. Give it a try and see. You will be a pro the first time.
Traci
This is so delicious, I can literally eat it by the spoonful! I’m a huge fan of lemon ANYTHING, and where I live, we have Meyer lemons hanging from trees. I love how simple and straightforward your recipe is, Gloria. Thanks for sharing another great one! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
OMH making this with Meyer lemons would be AWESOME!!
Dana
I am so so in love with lemon curd. I could eat it by the spoonful! It’s so bright and refreshing. And so so easy to make, which is surprising to me. (I always overcomplicate baking/baked goods/sweets in my head.) Last night I was thinking about what I could make to pair with some blueberry scones I have in mind. I thought I’d settled on lemon compound butter, but I think I’m going to go this route 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Lemon curd and blueberry scones are a match made in haven. ENJOY!!
Mimi
If you ask me what my favorite curd is, I will say – lemon curd. Just because it tastes insanely good and goes well with pretty much anything. I like how easy it is to make it, too – just what I prefer these busy days.
Homemade & Yummy
Super easy to make a super delicious. Hope you give this recipe a try.
April
I really enjoy lemon flavors in my food. And when it comes to curds, I think it is the best flavor you can make – it always gives that nice warm feeling of satisfaciton!
Homemade & Yummy
This is such a great recipe. I love how perfectly it turns out EVERY TIME!