How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (2024)

Bright, tart, and tasty ... the possibilities with Lemon Curd are seemingly endless. And fortunately for lemon lovers, making it is not hard at all. Follow these steps for how to make Lemon Curd to whip up your own tasty homemade batch. It's actually pretty easy. Then, check out the bottom of this post for ideas on what the heck to use it for!
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How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (1)


Ah, tart and tasty Lemon Curd. If you're like me you probably have a few questions about Lemon Curd. Like perhaps:

Why is it called curd? (Curd certainly isn't the most attractive sounding word.)

Is Lemon Curd hard to make?

And, what the heck do you use lemon curd for anyway??

The key is to simply cook Lemon Curd slowly and gently to create the perfect smooth and creamy texture.

While I'm certainly not qualified to explain why it's called curd, I certainly can show how to make it and share what the heck to use Lemon Curd for. And, no ... it's indeed not hard to make at all.

The key is to simply cook Lemon Curd slowly and gently to create the perfect smooth and creamy texture. And then from there, use it to create all kinds of lemony sweet treats. From cake filling to cheesecake topping, lemon tarts to ice cream mix-in, and even lemony co*cktails ... the ways to enjoy Lemon Curd are pretty endless.

How to Make Lemon Curd

Step 1: Squeeze Fresh Lemons

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Fresh lemon juice is a must for the brightest and best-flavored Lemon Curd.

Start by squeezing fresh lemons to yield the needed juice.

To get the most out of each lemon, pop it whole in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds and then roll it on the counter top a few times with the palm of your hand before squeezing. This method will give you a whole lot more juice than just straight-up squeezing a lemon fresh out of the refrigerator.

Step 2: Whisk Together Ingredients

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Off the heat, whisk together sugar, some cornstarch, and a touch of salt in a saucepan.

Then whisk in the freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Next, add in the eggs ... one at a time ... whisking each one in thoroughly before adding the next.

Step 3: Cook the Lemon Curd

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Cook the mixture over medium heat. Whisk the curd constantly while it cooks to make sure the eggs cook slowly, gently, and free of lumps.

This is super important to bring the temperature of the mixture up slowly, whisking the entire time. -- Too fast a temperature rise or bits of egg sitting on the bottom of the pan will lead to lumps of cooked egg in the curd.

When the curd is ready, the mixture will thicken and turn from dark bright yellow to pale yellow.

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Step 4: Finish with Butter & Zest

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Remove the lemon curd from the heat. Stir in a couple tablespoons butter and some fresh lemon zest, stirring until the butter is melted.

Step 5: Chill

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Chill at least four hours or overnight. The Lemon Curd will continue to thicken as it cools.

That's it! See, making Lemon Curd isn't hard at all, is it?

And as I said at the start of the post, the possibilities with Lemon Curd are pretty much endless. Scroll down a bit below the Lemon Curd recipe to enjoy 15 possibilities to get you started.

My only remaining Lemon Curd question? ... Which of the tasty lemon curd possibilities to make next!


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homemade lemon curd, lemon curd recipe, how to make lemon curd

Desserts

Yield: about 1 cup curd

Author:Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (10)

How to Make Lemon Curd

Bright, tart, and tasty ... the possibilities with Lemon Curd are seemingly endless. And fortunately for lemon lovers, making homemade Lemon Curd is not hard at all!

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 8 Mtotal time: 18 M

ingredients:

  • 1 c. + 2 T. granulated sugar
  • 1 T. cornstarch
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1 c. fresh lemon juice (approximately 5 lemons)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 T. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. grated lemon rind

instructions:

How to make homemade Lemon Curd

  1. Off any heat, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan; stir with a whisk. Stir in lemon juice and eggs.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk.
  3. Reduce heat; simmer 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly.
  4. Remove from heat. Add butter and lemon rind; stir gently until butter melts. Spoon mixture into a bowl; cool.
  5. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or overnight. Lemon curd will thicken as it cools.

https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2015/08/how-to-make-lemon-curd-what-heck-to-use-it-for.html

Created using The Recipes Generator



What to Do With Lemon Curd

Let's take a look at some of the wonderful things you can do with Lemon Curd. Other than ... for the die-hard lemon lover ... eat it straight from a spoon, that is! Lemon Curd does amazing things as a filling, topping, mix-in, or even as a base for a beautifully tasty co*cktail.

1. Fillings - Fill tarts, edible bowls, cookies, cakes, and cupcakes with Lemon Curd for a zippy punch of lemon goodness.

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (11)

Lemon Curd Tartlets| from The Kitchen is My Playground



How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (12)

Easter Cups with Lemon Curd & Cream | from Noshing with the Nolands


How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (13)

Lemon Meringue Whoopie Pies | from Lemons for Lulu

Coconut Lemon Curd Poke Cake| fromDiary of a Recipe Collector

Meyer Lemon Macarons| from52 Kitchen Adventures

2. Toppings- For a little touch of lemon zing, top waffles, muffins, scones,cheesecake, a slice of pound cake, gingerbread, or even ice cream with a dollop or drizzle of Lemon Curd.

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Gingerbread Waffles| from The Kitchen is My Playground


How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (15)

Lovely Lemon Cheesecake | from Lovefoodies

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Classic English Scones | from Lovefoodies

3. Stir-In for Lemon Dessert Creations- Stir Lemon Curd into no-bake and baked creations to make and endless array of luscious lemon desserts. Here are a few delicious ideas to get you started!

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (17)

Limoncello Lemon Ice Cream| from The Kitchen is My Playground

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (18)

Easy 3-Ingredient Lemon Mousse Recipe| from The Kitchen is My Playground

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (19)

Lemon Crumble Bars | from House of Yumm


How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (20)

Lemon Cloud Tart with Salted Caramel Sauce | from Life Currents

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (21)

Lemony Strawberry Shortcake | from Hot Eats and Cool Reads

4. co*cktails- Whip up a beautifully delicious co*cktail with Lemon Curd as the base.

How to Make Lemon Curd {& What the Heck to Use It For} (2024)

FAQs

What can lemon curd be used for? ›

As a topping, lemon curd is the perfect complement for everything from scones and pancakes to cheesecake and ice cream. It also works well as a filling — consider using it in crepes, pastries, tarts, or in between cake layers. Of course, we wouldn't judge you if you ate it with a spoon.

How long is lemon curd good for? ›

Lemon curd will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, so it is great to make it in advance when you need it to fill cakes and pastries.

How do you eat Trader Joe's lemon curd? ›

Slather it on toast or stir it into yogurt. Drizzle it on pancakes, or ice cream, or cheesecake. If you want to get fancy, whip up some heavy cream and fold it into the Lemon Curd for an almost-effortless tart or layer cake filling worthy of a royal afternoon tea.

What is lemon curd made of? ›

Lemon curd is a spread made out of fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, zest, and butter. The eggs in the recipe thicken the mixture, giving it a custard-like consistency. It's often used as a dessert topping or spread for cakes, cookies, tarts, etc. Serve this over Sponge Cake, with Strawbery Scones or Crepes.

What are the uses of curd? ›

The unique nutritional value of curds is beneficial in various ways. Apart from enhancing the taste of various foods, curd also improves the digestion and provides strength to bones and teeth. Regular consumption of curds also lowers the cholesterol levels and reduces high blood pressure.

Can you eat lemon curd on toast? ›

This beautifully tart citrus curd is the perfect filling for cakes and tarts or quite simply, spread generously on toast. One of my favourite ways to eat it, has to be spooned on top of greek yoghurt with a handful of blueberries and a scattering of mint leaves.

Can you freeze fresh made lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

When lemon curd begins to spoil, there are identifiable changes in texture, smell, and taste. One should watch for: Texture: Any signs of separation or a watery consistency can indicate spoilage. Smell: A sour or off-putting aroma is a clear signal that the lemon curd should not be consumed.

Does lemon curd contain raw egg? ›

Lemon curd is a cooked mixture of eggs, lemon juice and zest, sugar, and butter. It's a versatile lemony spread or citrusy topping.

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.

How do you know when lemon curd is done? ›

Dip a spoon into the curd then run your finger over the back of it. If it leaves a clean line in the curd, it's cooked enough and ready to cool. Curd will thicken up more once cooled completely. Spoon into a container, cover and refrigerate.

Why is it called lemon curd? ›

'Lemon Curd' is originally English in origin dating back to the early 1800's. The recipe back then was rather literal — lemon acidulating cream to form curds then separated from the whey through a cheesecloth. Long time Cottage Delight fans may remember our Lemon Curd as 'Lemon Cheese'.

What do you eat with lemon curd? ›

Its smooth and creamy texture makes it perfect for spreading on toast or scones for a delightful breakfast or afternoon tea treat. Lemon curd can also be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, and pastries, adding a burst of citrus flavor to every bite.

How long does lemon curd last once made? ›

In a covered, airtight container for up to one week. It doesn't really freeze well.

How do you use lemon and curd? ›

Lemon and Yoghurt contain enzymes and acids that eliminate dandruff in a couple of applications. All you need to do is combine 2 tablespoons of curd with one tablespoon of lemon. Mix the two together before massaging it into your scalp. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly.

What can I do with lemon curd that didn't set? ›

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.

Can lemon curd be frozen? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

What's the difference between lemon curd and lemon cheese? ›

Some say that Lemon curd is a little runnier and tarter than lemon cheese, while lemon cheese has a more buttery taste and consistency. Most agree though that the difference is so subtle very few would not be able to distinguish between the two.

How do you salvage lemon curd? ›

The curd wasn't cooked long enough to allow the egg to thicken, or not enough butter was added. How to fix it: To thicken runny lemon curd, put the curd back into your saucepan, place over the lowest possible heat, and stir constantly.

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