Lemon Curd Recipe
This classic Lemon Curd recipe yields a smooth, tangy, and creamy spread perfect for adding bright citrus flavor to toast, scones, desserts, and more. Made with fresh lemon juice, zest, butter, egg yolks, and sugar, this easy stovetop curd is cooked gently until thickened to the perfect consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce/Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
Instructions
- Juice and zest lemons: Juice enough lemons to yield 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice and zest one lemon to get about 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for maximum flavor.
- Combine egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice: In a small saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice over low heat until fully blended to begin the curd base.
- Add butter and lemon zest, cook until thickened: Stir in the butter and lemon zest continuously while cooking the mixture on low heat. Cook until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Alternatively, use a thermometer to cook until the temperature reaches 160°F to ensure proper thickening and safe cooking of the eggs.
- Strain the curd: Pour the hot lemon curd through a fine wire mesh sieve to remove any lemon zest pieces and any cooked egg bits to achieve a silky smooth texture.
- Cool the curd: Transfer the strained curd to a bowl or glass jar and allow it to cool to room temperature for proper setting.
- Refrigerate until ready to use: Cover and refrigerate the lemon curd until chilled. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and used as a spread or dessert topping.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor and acidity in your lemon curd.
- Cook the curd gently over low heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, use the spoon-coating test to judge when the curd is done.
- Store lemon curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Lemon curd can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Keywords: lemon curd, lemon spread, lemon dessert sauce, citrus curd, homemade lemon curd, easy lemon curd recipe
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/lemon-curd-recipe/
