Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

This easy lemon curd recipe is a favourite rich, sweet and tangy homemade lemon curd and you can get all the tips for how to make lemon curd right here.

Lemon is by far one of my favourite sweet flavours. Growing up, we had Lemon Meringue Pie regularly and I always loved those lemon sherbet hard lollies and still do.

Today also happens to be Sugar Salt Magic’s 3^rd birthday.

Woohoo! Happy Birthday, Sugar Salt Magic.

What better way to celebrate than with all of my favourites in one, right? I went ahead and made a Lemon Meringue Cake (that’s right cake, not pie). That one will be revealed tomorrow but I thought it was important to drop in today with a quick tutorial on how to make easy lemon curd , from scratch in around 10 minutes.

From there you can use it in these cute Mini Lemon Meringue Pies or maybe these gorgeous Fluffy Lemon Cupcakes with a lemon curd centre.

How to make lemon curd

The part I love about making lemon curd (aside from the absolute deliciousness I’m about to have at the ready for every possible need) is that fact that it takes less than 15 minutes to make. Seriously!

Simply start by whisking together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves.

The next step is to add the butter, a couple of cubes at a time and stir continuously until each has melted before adding more. Do this while still on the heat – my stove top is very dark so these photos are taken on my kitchen bench top where it is brighter.

Once all the butter is added and melted, cook for another 5-7 minutes until it thickens to the point of coating the back of the spoon or if you tip your saucepan to the side, then tip it back again, you will be left with a thick coating on the side of the pan.

How to store this Easy Lemon Curd

I use small weck jars to store my lemon curd. Lemon curd will keep for 3 months, in the fridge, unopened. Once opened, use within 7-10 days.

Click here to pin this recipe for later!

Pretty simple huh? You must give this Easy Lemon Curd Recipe a try and keep an eye out tomorrow for my Lemon Meringue Cake tomorrow.

4.45 from 18 votes

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Setting time: 2 hours

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 25 serves

Calories: 85kcal

Author: Marie Roffey

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This easy lemon curd recipe is a favourite rich, sweet and tangy curd made from scratch. Get all the tips for how to make lemon curd in this post.

Course: Dessert, Sauces, Sweets

Cuisine: Various

Keyword: easy lemon curd, lemon curd, lemon curd recipe

Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT 1 1/2 CUPS

• 2 large eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 200 g (1 cup / 7oz) caster (superfine) sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 150 g unsalted butter, cubed and cold

Instructions

• Beat together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, zest and juice. Pour into a small saucepan and stir over low-medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
• Add the cold butter a couple of pieces at a time, stirring until each addition is melted and incorporated. 
  
• Continue cooking the mixture for 4-5 minutes until it is thickened and coats the back of a spoon or leaves a thick coating on the side of the pan when you tilt it.
  
• Pour into sterilised conserve jars and store in the fridge.

Notes

1. This recipe makes approximately 1 1/2 cups of curd.
2. This curd will keep for up to 3 weeks in the fridge, unopened. Once opened use within a week. It will also freeze well.
3. To sterilise the jars, boil them in a saucepan of boiling water for 10 minutes then set aside to drain, dry and cool. The second way is to wash the jars well with soapy water, rinse and then place them in an oven at 120C / 250F for 10 minutes. Let them cool.
4. You can swap the butter for a vegetable based spread if you would like to make this curd dairy free.
5. TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE
   • Use a good silicone spatula so as not to leave any behind
   • A heavy based saucepan is best to distribute heat more gradually and evenly
   • I use these small Weck jars to store all my fruit curds

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