🍋 How to Make Lemon Curd
Easy • Sweet-Tart • Foolproof
🕒 10 min prep + 10 min cook + 2 hr chill
🥄 Yields: 2 cups | Serves: 16
🥄 What Is Lemon Curd?
🧈 Lemon Curd is a rich, creamy custard made with:
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🍋 Fresh lemon juice + zest
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🥚 Whole eggs
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🍬 Sugar
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🧈 Butter
🔍 Smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet, it’s perfect for cakes, pastries, pancakes… or just a spoon!
🍰 Uses for Lemon Curd
✨ Swipe, spread, swirl, or spoon it onto:
🥧 Cakes, cupcakes & tart fillings
🥞 Pancakes, waffles & scones
☕ Afternoon tea with clotted cream
🍦 Swirled into buttercream or yogurt
🥄 Eaten straight from the jar (no shame)
🧪 Ingredients You'll Need:
| 🧾 Ingredient | 📏 Amount |
|---|---|
| 🥚 Large Eggs | 4 |
| 🍬 Granulated Sugar | 1 cup |
| 🍋 Lemon Juice | ½ cup (fresh squeezed) |
| 🍋 Lemon Zest | 1 Tbsp |
| 🧈 Unsalted Butter | 6 Tbsp (cubed) |
👩🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Lemon Curd
🔹 Step 1: Whisk Eggs & Sugar
🥚➕🍬
In a small saucepan, whisk eggs and sugar together until smooth.
🔹 Step 2: Add Lemon & Butter
🍋➕🧈
Add lemon juice, zest, and butter. Whisk again to combine.
🔹 Step 3: Cook Until Thick
🔥 Low Heat | ⏱ 10 mins
Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon or reaches 170°F (77°C).
💡 Test: Drag your finger through the spoon — the curd should stay split.
🔹 Step 4: Chill to Set
❄️ 2 Hours
Transfer to a bowl and press plastic wrap directly on top of the surface to prevent a skin. Refrigerate until firm.
🍯 Makes about 2 cups.
💡 Tips & Tricks
🧂 Avoid Metal Taste:
Don't use aluminum or unlined copper — they react with lemon! Use stainless steel or non-reactive cookware.
🍋 Zest Without Pith:
Only zest the yellow part — the white pith = bitter. A sharp Microplane works wonders.
🥚 Want Richer Curd?
Use only yolks — about 2 yolks per egg. Try 8 yolks instead of 4 whole eggs!
🔥 Constant Stirring = No Scrambled Eggs
Low heat + patience = smooth lemon bliss.
🧺 To Strain or Not to Strain:
Don’t mind zest bits? Skip it. Want it silky smooth? Strain after cooking.
🧊 Storage Guide
🧊 Fridge: 1–2 weeks
🧊 Freezer: Up to 3 months (freeze in zip bags to save space)
💬 Pro Tip: Ikea’s freezer bags are 👌 — thick, sturdy, and space-saving!
😬 Why Does It Taste Metallic?
🚫 Aluminum or copper = metallic taste
✅ Stick with stainless steel or use glass/plastic to store.
Also, make sure you:
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✅ Zest just the outer skin
-
❌ Avoid white pith
📝 Recipe Recap
🍋 Lemon Curd
| ⏱ Total Time | 🍽 Servings | 🔥 Cooking Temp |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hr 20 min | 16 (2 cups) | Medium-Low |
📋 Ingredients:
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4 large eggs
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1 cup sugar
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½ cup fresh lemon juice
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1 Tbsp lemon zest
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6 Tbsp butter (cubed)
👨🍳 Instructions:
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Whisk eggs + sugar in a saucepan.
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Add lemon juice, zest, and butter.
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Cook on low heat, whisking until thick.
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Chill with plastic wrap on the surface for 2 hrs.
🎉 Done! Spoon, spread, or swirl it into your favorite treats!
🍋 Final Word
If lemon desserts are your weakness — this curd will be your new addiction.
Bright, buttery, and bursting with flavor — it’s pure sunshine in a jar.
💬 Tried it? Leave a comment and tell me how you used yours!
🫶 Happy zesting!