Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This incredibly easy Lemon Curd recipe is sweet, tart, silky smooth and perfect for spreading on all manner of baked goods. Lemon curd is so easy to make and is so much better than store bought. It’s simply amazing and so refreshing! We love to spread it on these The BEST Homemade Biscuitsand Lemon Blueberry Sconesbut I also use it s a filling in theseLemon Meringue Cookie Cups– so good!

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (1)

Lemon Curd Recipe

I cannot get enough of lemon desserts all year long. They are my absolute favorite with that tart, bold, bright flavor. Refreshing and entirely irresistible. We have many lemon desserts that are on regular rotation in our home including this easy Lemon Bread andLemon Bundt Cake. Really great for a crowd.

But when I want to make something that really epitomizes that amazing lemon flavor, nothing but this lemon curd will do.

Such incredible lemon flavor that really brightens up any dish and can be served in a variety of ways. It also makes a great gift for friends and family.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (2)

free email course

5 SECRETS TO GETTINGDINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

This easy lemon curd is a breeze to make and if you love lemon like I do, there is simply nothing better. Such a bright, intense lemon flavor that is impossible to resist.

Here’s how easy it is to make:

  • Melt butter in microwave
  • Whisk together sugar and eggs
  • Stir in lemon juice and zest
  • Whisk in the melted butter.
  • Microwave on 50% power for one minute. Stir.
  • Continue microwaving at 100% power in one minute intervals, stirring after each interval until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. (The curd will thicken as it cools.)
  • Strain curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove zest.
  • Pour curd into sterile jars and store for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (3)

What Is Lemon Curd?

If you are a fan of lemons, chances are you’re a BIG fan of lemon curd. I know I am! Lemon curd is essentially wrapping up that tart, refreshing lemon flavor in a smooth, creamy package which makes it perfect for all sorts of recipes.

Lemon curd is a type of preserves. It’s made with sugar, eggs, lemon – of course!, and butter. It can be used for all sorts of recipes.

Lemon Curd Uses

There is no end to the different ways to enjoy lemon curd. It’s exceptionally versatile and delicious.

  • Topping Greek yogurt with a dollop makes for a great snack!
  • Spreading it on a piece of toast or pound cake.
  • Makes the perfect filling for cakes and tarts and even donuts!
  • The perfect spread on these Lemon Blueberry Scones. In fact, I always make up a batch when I know we’re having scones and often when we’re making biscuits.
  • Delicious as a topping on buttermilk pancakes or even these blueberry pancakes.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (4)

Alright. I might as well be honest here. I also eat lemon curd by the spoonful. Especially this kind. Cause I know just how easy it is to whip up another batch 🙂

Now I’m sure many of you will be skeptical. I mean, the microwave? Sounds a little far-fetched, I admit. But try this once, just once, and I know you’ll be convinced.

What Do I Need To Make Lemon Curd

You guys. Not a whole lot. I mean, how simple is this:

  • sugar – granulated
  • butter – I’ve use salted and unsalted in this recipe, both work fine
  • eggs – three of them plus one egg yolk
  • lemons – both the juice and the zest for really amazing lemon flavor

That’s right! Just 4 simple ingredients that you probably have on hand.

The bright tangy flavor and cheerfully boldyellow color will have you smiling in no time. Even on a cold, gloomy day in January.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (5)

Love lemons? Try these favorites:

  • Lemon Blueberry Scones
  • Amazing Microwave Lemon Bars
  • No Bake Blueberry Lemon Cream Pie
  • Lemon Drop Bars
  • Lemon Zucchini Cake

How To Make Lemon Curd

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (6)

Print Pin

5 from 27 votes

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

This incredibly easy Lemon Curd recipe is sweet, tart and perfect for spreading on all manner of baked goods. Lemon curd is so easy to make in the microwave and blows store bought lemon curd out of the water. It's simply amazing and so refreshing!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword lemon curd

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 11 minutes minutes

Servings 24

Calories 86kcal

Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • lemon zest from 3 lemons

Instructions

  • Melt butter in microwave, set aside to cool slightly.

  • Whisk together sugar and eggs in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.

  • Whisk in lemon juice and zest.

  • Finally whisk in the butter.

  • Microwave on 50% power for one minute. Stir.

  • Continue microwaving at 100% power in one minute intervals, stirring after each interval until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. (The curd will thicken as it cools.)

  • Strain curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove zest.

  • Pour curd into sterile jars and store for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

Makes 1 pint or 2 cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (7)

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (8)

For all dinner recipes, goHERE.
For all dessertrecipes, goHERE.
Sign upto get emails when I post new recipes!
For even more great ideas follow me onFacebookPinterestInstagramTwitterBloglovin’.

Have a great day!

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my lemon curd get thick? ›

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.

How long is homemade lemon curd good for in the fridge? ›

The flavor also mellows a bit as it refrigerates. It's quite sour at this point but it gets creamier as it refrigerates. You can refrigerate the lemon curd for 1-2 weeks, OR freeze it for a few months.

Why is egg used in lemon curd? ›

I personally love an ultra thick, spoonable mixture. Lemon curd is an emulsion, with the emulsifiers in eggs paving the way for a relationship between the water (in lemon juice) and fat (in the yolks and butter) to form into a thick, unctuous mixture.

What is lemon curd made of? ›

Lemon curd is a spread made out of fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, zest, and butter. The eggs in the recipe thicken the mixture, giving it a custard-like consistency. It's often used as a dessert topping or spread for cakes, cookies, tarts, etc. Serve this over Sponge Cake, with Strawbery Scones or Crepes.

How do you fix lemon curd that didn't set? ›

You could try:
  1. Reheating it. Continuously whisk until the mixture reaches 170. ...
  2. Bloom one package (2.5 tsp or 7g) in 1/4 cup ( 60g ) of water for 5 minutes. Dissolve the bloomed gelatin in the microwave for 3-5 seconds. ...
  3. Mix 2 tablespoon of cornstarch in a 2 tablespoons of water and mix into lemon curd.
Mar 11, 2022

How do you know when lemon curd is thick enough? ›

Lemon Curd should thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when it's hot and should thicken up to pudding-like consistency when it's chilled. The curd can take up to 10 minutes to thicken to the consistency of pourable pudding, so be patient (remember it will thicken more once it cools).

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 you over cook 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.

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.

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.

Why is my curd not setting? ›

Usually the temperature of milk determines how well your curd will set. Too cold or too hot temperature can make the curd setting process tougher. Firstly boil your milk properly and switch off the flame. Once the boiled milk cools down to 20 per cent, then the milk is ready to be set.

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.

What makes curd thicker? ›

There are different methods for making curd, like whisking, foaming, and scrubbing, but the first thing you need to do is mix the milk and curd culture together. This is important because it helps the milk and curd starter combine fully, which leads to a thicker and richer curd.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6689

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.