Easy, No-Fail Lemon Curd Recipe - Celebration Generation (2024)

Lemon Curd is a traditional breakfast condiment that feels luxurious, but is actually very easy to make. Learn how to make lemon curd, here!

Lemon curd is one of those things that feels like a luxurious treat, but is actually really easy to make.

... when you know what do to, anyway.

I've got a bunch to say on the matter, but don't be intimidated - it literally takes like 10 minutes to get a batch of lemon curd made. You just need the right knowledge, ingredients, and equipment.

Uses for Lemon Curd

Beyond a “just eat it with a spoon, straight from the jar”, there are many, many different uses for lemon curd!

Here are a few ideas for you:

- On the breakfast table. Spread it on toast, Biscuits, scones, etc. Spoon it over waffles or pancakes (especially good when topped with berries!)

- As a filling for baked goods. Fill Macarons, Cream Puffs or Profiteroles, tart shells, or layered cakes* with lemon curd.

- Curd is also a great option for Butterfly Cupcakes, either instead of or in addition to frosting. When “in addition to”, I’ll spoon some curd in the cavity, then pipe frosting over it.

- Use as a topping for Pavlova. I like to do the layer of whipped cream, then the curd, and finally the fruit topping. You can even mix some into the whipped cream to flavour it. Alternately, it’s great as an offering on a Pavlova Dessert Board.

- Spoon it over ice cream, Cheesecake, or crepes.

- We like to drizzle it over yogurt that’s been topped with my Porter’s Yogurt and Ice Cream Topping.

- You can also make layered parfaits with curd and yogurt, or curd and cottage cheese.

* When filling layered cakes with curd, it’s best to pipe a ring of frosting around the outer perimeter of the layer being filled, then fill the inside of that border with the curd.

This gives some stability to the filling layer, and will prevent the curd from oozing out.

Tips for Making Lemon Curd

Lemon Curd Ingredients

The ingredients are super simple: Lemon juice/zest, sugar, eggs, and butter.

Be sure to use an actual lemon, not bottled lemon juice. It really does not turn out as well when using bottled!

Use basic white granulated sugar for the best taste.

Also, for the best shelf life, use nice fresh eggs.

Lemon Curd Equipment

You don’t need a ton of equipment to make curd, but each piece you do need is important. Here’s the rundown:

A Zester

First off, you want some way to get the zest off the lemon.

When I photographed this, I was using a little zesting plane that I’ve had forever, and it works well. No idea where I got it or what brand it is, though.

Since then, I treated myself to a Kitchenaid Box Grater, and I LOVE it.

If you’re in the place I was - with a 10+ year old basic metal grater that was caving in on itself, didn’t do a great (grate? LOL) job, and was literally being held together with an epoxy job*, seriously... treat yourself to a really good grater.

I had no idea what a difference it would make!

* Ok maybe even if yours isn’t being held together with an ugly epoxy job. Don’t let things get as bad as I did, before deciding it was time to replace. Life is too short!

A Juicer

Next, you need a good way to get the juice out, I prefer using small, citrus-specific juicers for this, rather than the big contraption we have for juicing everything else.

I have a Cuisinart Pulp Control Citrus Juicer, love it, no complaints at all.

There are also the Manual citrus juicers, or the Squeeze-type citrus juicers.

Go with whichever you prefer, just get the juice and avoid the seeds!

Cooking Technique

While you’re “supposed” to cook this over a double boiler - and I did in the photos - I’ll be honest... I never do.

I like to cook my lemon curd over low, direct heat. I whisk it constantly, and it’s ready in just minutes - so much less fussy.

If you’re not cooking it over higher heat and you keep an eye on it / keep whisking, you’re not going to end up with clumps.

I like to use a heavy bottomed pot, for the best heat distribution.

You’ll find that when you start out, there will be a lot of foaming. As you approach the right temperature, that foaming will subside - that’s when you should really start keeping an eye on the temperature, to avoid overcooking it.

Finally, just know that the curd will thicken more as it cools, so don’t be so worried if it’s not as thick as you’d like.

If you followed the recipe, did the spoon trick (more on that later), and your curd reached 165F, it’ll thicken!

To Strain or Not to Strain

Traditionally, lemon zest is used in the cooking process, then strained out afterwards.

Personally, I prefer the method I demonstrate here, as well as in my posts for other citrus curds:

I run the zest through my Mini Food Processor, along with the sugar.

This breaks up the zest to bits that are so fine, they’re basically undetectable in the curd.

Not only is this less fussy, I find it tastes better.

That said, you can always zest the lemon and not strain at all - the curd just won’t be quite as smooth. Sometimes this is a fun option - I think it’s got some ~ character ~!

Or, if you want smooth and traditional, just press your cooked curd through a Fine Mesh Wire Strainer, before adding the butter.

How to Make Lemon Curd

Full recipe follows, but here's a pictorial overview!

Zest the lemons.

Add the zest and sugar to your mini food processor, blitz until zest is finely chopped and well incorporated in the sugar. Note: See post for details on skipping this step.

Juice your lemon(s), measuring out ⅓ cup of the juice.

In a small pot, whisk together egg yolks, large egg, and lemon sugar until well combined.

Add the ⅓ cup of juice, whisk until well combined.

Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens.

It should be able to coat the back of a spoon and retain a clear trail when a finger is dragged across the back of the spoon.

Ideally, you want the mixture to reach 165F - I use a surface thermometer for this.

Once the mixture is thick/hot enough, transfer to a bowl. Add the pieces of butter, whisking until well incorporated.

If you want to strain the curd, press it through a metal strainer at this point.

Once all of the butter has melted in and been fully incorporated into the curd, transfer to your storage container and chill for at least 1 hour before use.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Lemon Curd

Lemon Curd is a traditional breakfast condiment that feels luxurious, but is actually very easy to make. Learn how to make lemon curd, here!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Cooling Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Condiment

Cuisine: British

Servings: 16 Servings (About 1 ¾ cups)

Calories: 91kcal

Author: Marie Porter

Equipment

• Zester

• Juicer

• Mini Food Processor

• Silicone Whisk

• Infrared Surface Thermometer

Ingredients

• 1-2 Lemons
• ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
• 3 Large Egg Yolks
• 1 Large Egg
• 6 tablespoon Salted Butter Chilled and cut into pieces.

Instructions

• Zest the lemons.

• Add the zest and sugar to your mini food processor, blitz until zest is finely chopped and well incorporated in the sugar. Note: See post for details on skipping this step.

• Juice your lemon(s), measuring out ⅓ cup of the juice.

• In a small pot, whisk together egg yolks, large egg, and lemon sugar until well combined. Add the ⅓ cup of juice, whisk until well combined.

• Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens. It should be able to coat the back of a spoon and retain a clear trail when a finger is dragged across the back of the spoon. Ideally, you want the mixture to reach 165F - I use a surface thermometer for this.

• Once mixture is thick / hot enough, transfer to a bowl. Add the pieces of butter, whisking until well incorporated.

• If you want to strain the curd, press it through a metal strainer at this point.

• Once all of the butter has melted in and been fully incorporated into the curd, transfer to your storage container and chill for at least 1 hour before use.

Video

Notes

Lemon curd will last for 2 weeks in the fridge, or a few months in the freezer. (Thaw overnight in the fridge before use!)

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg