Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

Desserts ·

Creamiest Lemon Curd – Experience the flavors of our Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe, a dessert that will surely add brightness to any meal. With squeezed lemon juice, a hint of zest and just the right amount of sweetness this curd encapsulates simplicity and elegance in each spoonful.

this Recipe

I can still vividly recall the first time I whisked together this lemony delight. The kitchen was filled with the invigorating scent of lemons. I eagerly awaited that taste. When my husband and son took their bite their faces lit up with joy! It has since become a family favorite evoking memories of days and shared laughter.

What makes this Creamiest Lemon Curd truly special?

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Our Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe stands out for its commitment, to using ingredients. We rely on squeezed lemon juice for an unparalleled zesty flavor while allowing flexibility in adjusting the sugar content to accommodate diverse preferences for sweetness. Moreover its versatility knows no bounds – whether enjoyed as a spread or used as a filling for pastries this lemon curd is an indulgent treat in its own right. It is more than a recipe; it represents a celebration of simple yet exquisite flavors designed to bring happiness to every palate.

What You Need To Make This Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe?

⬇ Scroll For Recipe Measurements⬇

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Lemon Juice: For the best results it’s important to use squeezed lemon juice. Not only does it provide the flavor but it also adds a personal touch to your curd.

Lemon Zest: To give your dish a burst of lemony goodness sprinkle some lemon zest. It’s, like capturing the essence of a day and infusing it into your creation.

Granulated Sugar: The level of sweetness in your curd is up to you. Adjust the amount of granulated sugar to find that balance that complements the tartness of the lemons right.

Egg Yolks: Believe it or not egg yolks are responsible for bringing a texture to your curd. It’s fascinating how something small can add richness and depth.

Salt: A tiny pinch of salt works wonders in enhancing the flavors of both the lemon and sweetness, in the curd subtly taking them to heights.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is what gives your curd its thickness transforming it from a liquid into a spread that you’ll love indulging in.

Unsalted Butter: To achieve a velvety finish incorporate butter into your curd. As it melts into each bite it beautifully rounds out both the texture and flavor profile.

Steps To Make Creamiest Lemon Curd:

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Step 1: Start by grating the zest of your lemons. Cut them in half. Squeeze out the juice making sure to strain out any seeds.

Step 2: In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch and salt. Keep this mixture aside, for later use.

Step 3: In a sauté pan combine the lemon juice, sugar and grated zest. Heat it over medium heat while stirring with a whisk.

Step 4: Once it begins to simmer gradually pour 1 cup of this mixture into the egg yolks while continuously whisking to prevent them from curdling.

Step 5: Carefully pour this tempered egg mixture back into the pan with the rest of the lemon mixture. Remember to keep whisking throughout! This step is crucial as it prevents the eggs from scrambling.

Step 6: Continue cooking until it reaches your desired thickness. I personally cook mine for 2 minutes to achieve a curd consistency.

Step 7: Monitor the temperature closely; aim for around 170ºF if you prefer a thinner curd or around 180ºF for a thicker one.

Step 8: Lastly add chunks of butter while whisking continuously until fully melted and incorporated into the mixture.

Step 9: Transfer the curd into a heat-proof jar or bowl. Cover it directly on its surface, with plastic wrap to prevent any skin from forming.

Tip:

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Achieving the perfect texture in your lemon curd relies heavily on managing the temperature. When combining the mixture of lemon juice, with the egg yolks it’s essential to do it and at a slow pace. This is commonly known as tempering. This technique prevents the eggs from cooking and resulting in curdling. Additionally closely monitoring the cooking temperature is important. Removing the curd from heat at the moment. Around 170ºF for a thinner consistency or 180ºF, for a thicker one. Guarantees that you consistently achieve your desired texture. These meticulous steps truly distinguish between a lemon curd and an exceptional one.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long can I store the lemon curd?

When stored in the refrigerator it stays good for a week. If you decide to freeze it you can store it for up, to a year.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

It’s better to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor and zest.

Is this recipe suitable for a lemon tart filling?

Definitely! The thick and creamy consistency of this curd makes it an ideal choice, for fillings.

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Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe (6)

Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe

  • Author: Audrey
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Immerse yourself in the realm of citrus delights with our Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe, where each spoonful is a symphony of flavors. Picture the lemons freshly squeezed by hand their zest adding a touch perfectly combined with the richness of butter and the velvety smoothness of egg yolks. This recipe presents a smooth texture striking a balance, between sweetness and tanginess. It’s not just a recipe; it’s, like having a jar filled with sunshine that brings joy with every dollop.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz lemon juice (1 c) – About 6 large fresh lemons

2 tbsp lemon zest

6 oz granulated sugar (1 c) – add 2 more oz for a sweeter lemon curd

5 egg yolks

¼ tsp salt

1 tbsp cornstarch

4 oz unsalted butter (½ c)

Instructions

Start by preparing the lemons; grate the zest. Extract the juice making sure to remove any seeds that may be present.

In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch and salt. Set this mixture aside for now.

Next combine the lemon juice, sugar and zest in a sauté pan. Stir everything together. Heat it until it begins to simmer.

To temper the eggs without curdling them slowly add 1 cup of the hot lemon mixture to the bowl with the egg yolks. Keep whisking as you do this.

After tempering the eggs pour this tempered egg mixture back, into the sauté pan. Continue whisking over medium heat until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Once it has thickened sufficiently remove it from heat. Add in butter. Stir until it melts completely and becomes well incorporated.

For cooling purposes transfer your lemon curd into a jar or bowl. Make sure to cover its surface with plastic wrap, for protection before placing it in the refrigerator to chill.

Notes

Good news for my gluten-sensitive friends – this lemony delight is naturally gluten-free! Isn’t it wonderful when indulgence meets health-conscious choices? Our Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe requires no wheat-based ingredients, making it a safe haven of flavor for those avoiding gluten. So, whether you’re spreading it on a gluten-free scone or swirling it into a gluten-free tart, you can savor every zesty, creamy spoonful with the joy of knowing it’s completely gluten-friendly.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Natasha

My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!

nodashofgluten.com/

Creamiest Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my lemon curd not thick enough? ›

If your lemon curd hasn't thickened, it may not have been heated enough. It can take up to 30 minutes of constant stirring to cook lemon curd, especially if it's a large batch. Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken.

What happens if you overcook lemon curd? ›

Overcooking will cause proteins to bond too tightly, squeezing water out from between them and giving them a rubbery, lumpy texture. If you over-heat the lemon curd, the egg proteins can coagulate and you will see little bits of cooked egg.

What is the best brand of lemon curd? ›

The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows. The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

If you just place all the ingredients in a saucepan without beating the butter and sugar with the eggs first, the curd tends to taste eggy. Add the lemon juice and tablespoons of lemon zest and mix.

How do you add curd to thicken it? ›

Simply add a small amount of yogurt, like a spoonful, at a time. Stir your yogurt into the curry and keep adding a little more at a time until it reaches your desired thickness. This is great for Indian-style curries as a cream substitute.

Why is my curd thin? ›

The temperature is too low. If the temp is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the cultures will not ferment properly and the milk will stay runny. The temperature is too high. If the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the yogurt will ferment too fast and will also render the yogurt runny.

What is the mistake for lemon curd? ›

Avoid Over-cooking The Curd

Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

What is the shelf life of homemade lemon curd? ›

Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, move the container from the freezer to a refrigerator at 40°F or colder for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, store in the refrigerator in a covered container and consume within 4 weeks.

How to know if lemon curd went bad? ›

If the curd changes color, has a significant change in texture (such as lumpiness or wateriness), or if it has an unpleasant smell, you should assume that it has gone bad and dispose of the remaining curd instead of eating it.

What is Sicilian lemon curd? ›

Sicilian Lemon Curd Deliciously rich and smooth, tangy organic lemon curd. Naturally ripened in the Sicilian sunshine, organic lemons are mixed with organic British free-range eggs and just enough organic butter to create our Sicilian lemon curd.

Should you refrigerate lemon curd? ›

Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

What consistency should lemon curd be? ›

Lemon Curd should thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when it's hot and should thicken up to pudding-like consistency when it's chilled. The curd can take up to 10 minutes to thicken to the consistency of pourable pudding, so be patient (remember it will thicken more once it cools).

Why does my lemon curd taste like metal? ›

Why does my lemon curd taste metallic? A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

Why is curd not setting? ›

Usually the temperature of milk determines how well your curd will set. Too cold or too hot temperature can make the curd setting process tougher. Firstly boil your milk properly and switch off the flame. Once the boiled milk cools down to 20 per cent, then the milk is ready to be set.

Why won t my orange curd thicken? ›

You need to keep a low heat and stir constatntly. The time it takes for the curd to thicken can vary accoding to the size of the pan and the heat used. To test if the curd is cooked properly, dip a spoon into the mixture then run your finger through the mixture on the back of the spoon.

Does lemon curd set in the fridge? ›

Remove from heat and pass through a mesh strainer set over a bowl to remove the zest and any egg clumps. Place plastic wrap directly on top of the curd and let set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

What if my lemon curd is too sour? ›

If you measured correctly according to the instructions and still feel it is too sour, you can add about ¼ cup more sugar next time you make it.

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