What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This lemon curd recipe is a delightful treat that’s easy to make and bursting with bright, tangy flavor. Perfect for spreading, topping, or even eating straight from the jar! You’ll love how creamy and smooth it turns out, with just the right balance of sweetness and zing. Plus, it’s made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Homemade lemon curd tastes fresher and richer than store-bought, and it’s a great way to impress family and friends. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Recipe
Lemon curd is a versatile and delicious spread made from lemons, sugar, butter, and eggs. It’s perfect for filling tarts, topping scones, or simply enjoying by the spoonful. This recipe yields a smooth, tangy, and creamy curd that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined.
- Add the lemon juice and zest, and whisk until smooth.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the cubed butter until fully melted and incorporated.
- Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any lumps or zest.
- Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate until chilled and set, about 2 hours.
Notes
- Store lemon curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- For a smoother texture, make certain the curd is strained thoroughly.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Plastic wraps
Time
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
Cuisine
British
Serving
Makes about 1 ½ cups
Nutrition
This homemade lemon curd is a delicious and versatile spread. It’s important to be aware of its nutritional content for balanced consumption.
| Nutrition | Per Serving (1 tbsp) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 52 kcal |
| Total Fat | 3.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 38 mg |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Total Carbs | 5.7 g |
| Sugars | 5.4 g |
| Protein | 0.6 g |
What To Serve With It
I love spreading lemon curd on warm toast or flaky scones—it’s the perfect tangy treat for breakfast or tea time. For something a bit sweeter, try topping pancakes or waffles with a dollop of lemon curd, and you’ll feel like it’s a special occasion. It’s amazing how versatile this simple recipe can be!
Toast & Scones
When you’ve got a jar of homemade lemon curd ready, pairing it with toast or scones feels like a match made in heaven. I love spreading it thickly on warm, buttered toast—the tangy lemon cuts through the richness perfectly. For scones, I like to split them in half, slather on a generous layer of lemon curd, and maybe add a dollop of clotted cream if I’m feeling fancy. The combination is simple but feels indulgent. Whether it’s breakfast or an afternoon treat, lemon curd always brings a little sunshine to the table. It’s one of those pairings I can’t resist!
Pancakes & Waffles
While lemon curd on toast or scones is a classic, it’s just as fantastic on pancakes and waffles. I love spreading it thickly over fluffy pancakes or drizzling it into the pockets of crispy waffles. It adds a bright, tangy twist that balances the sweetness perfectly. Sometimes, I’ll even mix it with whipped cream or a dollop of yogurt for extra richness. It’s such a simple upgrade that makes breakfast or brunch feel extra special. Trust me, once you try lemon curd on pancakes or waffles, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed them plain before!
