Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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!

Pin this now to save it for later

Pin It

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (4)

Rate

Print

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!

Save Recipe

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.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

Dessert Fruit Recipes Spring Recipes

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

More About Me

You May Also Like

Coconut Syrup

Banana Bread Brownies

Five Minute Microwave Fudge

Gingersnap Sweet Potato Pie

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade lemon curd last in the 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.

What happens if you overcook lemon curd? ›

What happens if I over-cook lemon curd? Overcooking will cause proteins to bond too tightly, squeezing water out from between them and giving them a rubbery, lumpy texture. If you over-heat the lemon curd, the egg proteins can coagulate and you will see little bits of cooked egg.

Why is my lemon curd not thick enough? ›

Problem: My Lemon Curd is Too Runny
  1. To thicken runny lemon curd, put the curd back into your saucepan, place over the lowest possible heat, and stir constantly. ...
  2. Alternatively, heat the curd until it's warm to the touch, then remove from the heat and whisk in another few tablespoons of butter.
Apr 2, 2024

Why is my homemade lemon curd runny? ›

📋 Recipe FAQs

If it is then it means the curd is overcooked and this could be caused by the bottom of the bowl touching the surface of the water and the water being at a rolling boil rather than simmering. Why is my curd runny? The curd hasn't been cooked for long enough to reach the correct temperature to thicken.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

If the curd changes color, has a significant change in texture (such as lumpiness or wateriness), or if it has an unpleasant smell, you should assume that it has gone bad and dispose of the remaining curd instead of eating it.

How long does homemade lemon curd keep? ›

Store the curd: Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

Why does my lemon curd taste weird? ›

A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

Why does my lemon curd taste like eggs? ›

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.

What to do with failed lemon curd? ›

EDIT: I managed to fix it by reheating it, letting it get somewhat smooth, straining it, adding lemon juice, and then stirring more. I did it with one orange so I couldn't just start over again. I'm thankful for the advice though! The curd is now a beautiful orange, a bit thick and sweet, but really good!!

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

Add a cornstarch slurry: First, ensure your curd is cooked to 170 degrees F and if it still hasn't thickened, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

Why is my lemon curd frothy? ›

Both whole eggs and egg yolks are required. Follow the recipe exactly for best texture. If you use too many whole eggs, the egg white will cause foaming and the curd will end up foamy.

Does homemade lemon curd need to be refrigerated? ›

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.

Why did my lemon curd scramble? ›

But WHY did the Lemon Curd scramble? I learned that day, based on the scientific fact that eggs do not curdle when cooked in the presence of starch, and because Lemon Curd has no starch (such as flour or cornstarch), it will curdle when the eggs get too hot.

How to know if curd is set? ›

The time that the milk takes to convert into curd depends on the temperature. In a warm, hot and humid climate, the time taken for the curd to set will be 4 to 7 hours. Whereas in a cool or cold climate, the time taken can be 8 to 12 hours.

Why did my lemon curd crack? ›

Zestful Kitchen tells us "the most common reason why your tart cracked is because the oven was too hot." It's easy to be tempted by the lure of the myth that jacking up the oven temp will lead to a faster bake. But recipes have been painstakingly developed to help you achieve the best possible result.

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.

What is the shelf life of homemade curd in fridge? ›

How long can we keep curd in the fridge? It can be stored at low temperatures (less than 5 degrees C) for several weeks. You can usually store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks but it becomes much stronger at the end of that period.

How many days can homemade curd be stored in the 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.

How long can you preserve lemon curd? ›

Made fresh it has a refrigerator shelf life of approx. 1 week. Canned, it can have a shelf life of approximately 3 to 4 months. If you don't mind the darkening that occurs, it can have a shelf life of up to 1 year.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5933

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.