Homemade Lemon Curd

March 19, 2016 17 Comments

Lemon curd is so bright and fresh tasting for spring. I love how versatile it is too! It can go into tart shells, on top of pancakes, in sweet crepes, you name it. Making homemade lemon curd is simple to do and so much tastier than store bought. There aren’t many ingredients.

The basis of my homemade lemon curd was lots of lemon juice, lemon zest, butter and sugar. It was hard to go wrong with that combination!
The basis of my homemade lemon curd was lots of lemon juice, lemon zest, butter and sugar. It was hard to go wrong with that combination! I heated it up to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar.
I needed to strain that mixture to get the lemon zest and any seeds that fell in out. My fine mesh strainer was perfect for the job.
I needed to strain that mixture to get the lemon zest and any seeds that fell in out. My fine mesh strainer was perfect for the job.

Once the mixture was strained, it was time to temper the eggs before I brought the homemade lemon curd together. Tempering the eggs was the most crucial step. If I added the cold egg yolks right into the hot liquid, they would have scrambled. Yuck! That would not have been good for a smooth, luscious lemon curd. To temper them, I whisked a small amount of the hot liquid into my bowl of egg yolks. That gently brought them up to a higher temperature so that they wouldn’t scramble in the rest of the remaining liquid!

I heated the remaining liquid back up in the saucepan, then slowly whisked in my tempered eggs. I kept whisking until it was thick and glorious for a couple of minutes. It was important that the mixture didn't come to a boil. Gentle cooking was key here.
I heated the remaining liquid back up in the saucepan, then slowly whisked in my tempered eggs. I kept whisking until it was thick and glorious for a couple of minutes. It was important that the mixture didn’t come to a boil. Gentle cooking was key here. Then the homemade lemon curd was done!
Once it had cooled just a bit, I transferred the homemade lemon curd to a container. Then I directly covered it was plastic wrap before sealing it with the lid. Putting plastic wrap directly on the lemon curd prevented a skin from forming while it chilled.
Once it had cooled just a bit, I transferred the homemade lemon curd to a container. Then I directly covered it was plastic wrap before sealing it with the lid. Putting plastic wrap directly on the lemon curd prevented a skin from forming while it chilled.
Homemade Lemon Curd
Once it chilled, the homemade lemon curd was ready to use! Oh my goodness, it was smooth and amazing with loads of lemony flavor. I could have just happily eaten it with a spoon. It kept in the refrigerator for days to use whenever I needed it. Hope you all enjoy! xoxo
Homemade Lemon Curd
Homemade Lemon Curd
5 from 2 votes
Homemade Lemon Curd
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Homemade Lemon Curd
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
 

Homemade lemon curd is so simple to make and amazing! It can be used in countless ways for desserts, pancakes, you name it.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Custards, Lemon Curd
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 234 kcal
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 4 whole lemons zested and juiced
  • 1 stick butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 8 whole egg yolks reserve the egg whites for meringue or omelettes!
Instructions
  1. Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, butter and sugar in a small saucepan and bring it to a low boil over medium low heat. Let the butter melt and the sugar dissolve while you give it an occasional stir. While the lemon mixture heats up, beat the egg yolks thoroughly together in their own bowl until they are liquid.
  2. Take the lemon mixture off of the heat once it starts to gently boil, then pour it through a fine mesh strainer to get rid of the lemon zest and any little particles in the lemon juice. Take a 1/4 cup of the lemon mixture and whisk it into the egg yolks to temper them. Transfer the remaining lemon mixture back into the sauce pan and heat it back up over medium low heat. Pour the tempered eggs into the sauce pan while you whisk it into the lemon mixture. Keep whisking for about 2 minutes to let the lemon curd thicken. The mixture can bubble around the edges but do not let it come to a boil or else the eggs will scramble.
  3. Once it has thickened for 2 minutes, take it off of the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Then spoon it into a clean container. Cover the lemon curd with plastic wrap right on top of it so that it doesn't develop a skin, then seal the container with its top. Let the lemon curd chill for at least 3 hours before using it in countless ways!
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Lemon Curd
Amount Per Serving
Calories 234 Calories from Fat 145
% Daily Value*
Fat 16.1g25%
Saturated Fat 8.9g56%
Cholesterol 240mg80%
Sodium 90mg4%
Potassium 62mg2%
Carbohydrates 22.1g7%
Fiber 0.8g3%
Sugar 19.6g22%
Protein 3.1g6%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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17 thoughts on “Homemade Lemon Curd”

  2. Oh my! I’m obsesed with lemons and LOVE lemon curd! I’ve never thoughts about making my own, I’m so glad I came across your delicious sounding recipe!

  5. I don’t think I’ve ever even had curd, let alone made it! Would love to give this a try. Thanks!

  7. I didn’t even know that this was a thing! But it does look and sound amazing. I bet it would be good in cookies.

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)