Description
This homemade lemon curd recipe yields a smooth, tangy, and sweet spread perfect for topping desserts, toast, or incorporating into baked goods. Made from fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, and butter, it’s thickened on the stovetop to achieve a luscious consistency. Easy to make and versatile, this lemon curd adds bright citrus flavor to a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- â…› tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 lemons)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp grated lemon rind (lemon zest)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined. This base helps thicken the lemon curd and balances the flavors.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, eggs, and lemon zest into the dry mixture. Make sure everything is thoroughly blended for even cooking and flavor integration.
- Cook the Curd: Place the saucepan over medium heat and constantly stir the mixture to prevent curdling or burning. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, indicating it’s reached the right consistency.
- Incorporate Butter: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the unsalted butter until it melts completely and is fully incorporated. This enriches the curd with a smooth, creamy texture.
- Strain the Mixture: Pour the lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any cooked egg bits or zest chunks, ensuring a silky smooth texture.
- Cool and Store: Transfer the strained lemon curd to a clean jar or container and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate it for up to 1-2 weeks for best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice can alter the taste.
- Constant stirring during cooking is crucial to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- If thicker curd is desired, cook a little longer but avoid burning.
- Store lemon curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Allow lemon curd to come to room temperature before using for easier spreading.
