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Home » Desserts » Lemon Curd

Published: May 13, 2017 · Modified: Jan 6, 2023 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Lemon Curd

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Homemade Lemon Curd in a small white bowl

Tart lemon curd is perfect for adding to recipes or serving with fresh berries.

A bowl filled with lemon curd.
Table of Contents
What is lemon curd?
Tip
Lemon Curd

What is lemon curd?

A curd is a sweet spread usually made with citrus fruit. It is often served with scones as a condiment and is used as a jam. Curds are also used as a filling in sweet desserts. 

When making curd, you do want to plan ahead a bit. You want it to fully chill before eating. This takes a good couple of hours. Don't skimp on the chilling time. The lemony flavors are so much better when the curd is chilled.

The color of your curd may be lighter than my vibrant yellow curd. I used fresh eggs from my chickens. Right now their yolks are a deep dark yellow color.

I used this lemon curd as a filling in my Lemon Cupcakes topped with Lemon Buttercream Frosting! It would also be great in these lemon curd bars.

Tip

  • Don't toss those egg whites! Instead, freeze them to use later. Check out how to freeze fresh chicken eggs.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

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A bowl filled with lemon curd.

Lemon Curd

Kathy
Homemade lemon curd
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup
Calories 738 kcal
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Ingredients
  

  • 4 egg yolks
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (1-2 lemons)
  • ⅓ lemon juice (1-2 lemons)
  • ¼ cup butter (Sliced into chunks)

Instructions
 

  • In a metal bowl or in the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  • Place bowl over pan with a few inches of water. Do not let bottom of pan touch water. 
  • Turn heat to high, add butter slices and begin stirring with a whisk. Continue stirring to avoid burning. 
  • Cook until mixture becomes thick and coats the back of a spoon.
  • Remove from heat. Pour mixture into a very fine sieve. Use a spatula to push mixture through sieve.
  • Let cool a few minutes. Cover with plastic wrap making certain plastic wrap is directly touching the lemon curd. This helps avoid a skin forming on the surface.
  • Cool in refrigerator for a least 2 hours. 

Notes

Once cooled, curd can be frozen and used later.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 16tablespoonCalories: 738kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 6gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 520mgSodium: 427mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 1935IUVitamin C: 38.7mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 1mg
Keyword lemon curd, lemon desserts, lemon recipes
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says

    May 19, 2017 at 10:15 am

    This lemon curd looks amazing,it would be such a great cupcake filling 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 19, 2017 at 7:34 pm

      Yep! Super great in cupcakes!

      Reply
  2. stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    May 19, 2017 at 7:03 am

    I agree, lemons do get a bad rep! This lemon curd is amazing, I can imagine eating this with a dozen different things but it would be good all by itself! Take care.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 19, 2017 at 7:34 pm

      I know....I love to just sneak a spoonful!

      Reply
  3. allie says

    May 18, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    What a great spring recipe Kathy - looks delicious! I can eat lemon curd with just about anything - cookies, cake, pie, ice cream...or with a spoon! Hope all is well my friend.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 18, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      I've been known to eat it with a spoon from time to time! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Anne Murphy says

    May 17, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Lemon curd is such a wonderful balance of tart and sweet! I've always loved using it in all kinds of recipes, but it's good just on toast!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 18, 2017 at 4:45 am

      I love the sweet/tart combination.

      Reply
  5. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    May 17, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    I love a good lemon curd! But man it's been so long since I've had any! Must change that - this looks fantastic!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 18, 2017 at 4:45 am

      Yep...you'd better make some soon!

      Reply
  6. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    May 17, 2017 at 9:04 am

    I love lemons! In my baking but also in cooking and in drinks! I have yet to make lemon curd, which differs from my go-to Italian lemon cream (crema) from having butter. Now I want to try making it! P.s. Yes, usually the color is not that deep yellow, even with organic free range eggs bought at the Farmers Market...

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 18, 2017 at 4:50 am

      Lemons are such a great ingredient! I'd love to try your recipe for lemon crema!

      Reply
  7. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    May 17, 2017 at 2:31 am

    I love I love lemon curd but I don't know why I haven't made it at home. And this one looks so refreshing and delish. Thanks for the lovely recipe, I will have to give it a go.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 18, 2017 at 4:55 am

      I love the tartness of lemon curd! It is so delicious.

      Reply
  8. Megan says

    May 16, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    One of my favorite breakfasts is toast + honey + lemon curd. I've never made it myself, though - I'll have to try this out!
    Curious, you mentioned that you can use lemon curd in beverages. I've never considered that! Do you have any suggestions to start?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 16, 2017 at 6:09 pm

      That sounds like a great way to start the day. I've never used lemon curd in beverages....just lemons! Lemons are very versatile and can be used in so many different ways.

      Reply
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Homemade Lemon Curd in a small white bowl
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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