Lemon Curd Ice Cream (2024)

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Bright and creamy homemade Lemon Curd Ice Cream with a thick swirl of tangy lemon curd. This frozen treat is great year round.

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (1)

Bright and creamy lemon ice cream with a thick swirl of lemon curd

It feels like spring here in Virginia! We’re already looking ahead to weekend grill-feasts and frosty treats like this delicious homemade lemon curd ice cream.

Recently, we’ve been up to our elbows in ingredients for our new Lemon Cheesecake recipe. Fortunately (for our taste-testers) it took a few tries to perfect the recipe. As a result, we had lots of cheesecake floating around for about a week.

Once the cheesecake recipe was fine-tuned, we had plenty of leftover cream cheese, a few lemons and a jar of homemade lemon curd. What better way to use up those extra ingredients, and a few delicious orbs of sunshine, than in an easy ice cream recipe?!

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (2)

Cream cheese is added to the base in place of eggs for added richness.

The base ice cream recipe was adapted from a cookbook titled Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer. If you’re looking for inspiration and some of the best ice cream recipes ever, check out this New York Times Best Selling cookbook.

I followed Jeni’s lead and added 2 ounces of cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup to my ice cream base. Corn syrup adds a nice silkiness to the ice cream and the cream cheese gives the base a slight tang and adds to the terrific consistency.

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (3)

Homemade ice cream is not difficult to make

As with most ice cream recipes, the ingredients are easy to blend together. First, we start by steeping lemon zest in hot milk. Then add all the remaining ingredients and pour the mixture into an ice bath to cool it down.

Once the ice cream base is cooled, it’s refrigerated until well chilled (overnight) then processed according to the instructions for your ice cream maker.

Next, layer the lemon ice cream in dollops between spoonfuls of our tart and tangy lemon curd. Using a table knife or skewer, swirl the ice cream and curd together.

Finally, pop the finished ice cream in the freezer overnight or until ready to serve. This lemon curd ice cream will keep well for a few weeks if sealed in an airtight container.

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (4)

Allow our lemon curd ice cream to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Our lemon curd ice cream freezes well and can be hard to scoop when first removed from the freezer. Allow the ice cream to soften for a few minutes for easier serving and for better flavor. Top each serving with a little extra lemon curd, if desired.

Can you use store-bought lemon curd or do you have to make homemade?

Store-bought lemon curd will be fine in this ice cream recipe. Make sure to purchase good quality curd, or make our easy homemade lemon curd recipe.

What are some other ways to use lemon curd?

Lemon curd can be smeared on a biscuit, scone or even a slice of toast. It’s great on pancakes, waffles and terrific dolloped on a slice of pound cake. If you’re still looking for inspiration, here are more creative ways to use lemon curd!

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (5)

Ice cream is perfect anytime of the year!

We’re from the camp that believes you can eat ice cream in winter, and it’s just as delicious as it is in summer. There’s no special rule about not being able to eat ice cream before Memorial Day; that only applies to white pants, skirts, or shorts – haha!

We even make Snow Cream when the winter weather cooperates. Frozen inside and out! Our part of the world seems to have skipped winter this year, so let’s get on with spring!

Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 day d 45 minutes mins

Yield: 1 quart

Course: Dessert, Frozen dessert, Ice Cream

Author: Tricia

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5 from 8 votes

A bright and creamy lemon ice cream with a thick swirl of tangy lemon curd.

Equipment

  • Ice cream maker

Ingredients

  • cup granulated sugar (135g)
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • 2 cups whole milk, plus 2 tablespoons, divided (17½ oz or 480 ml)
  • a pinch of fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (cut into small chunks)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, strained of seeds and pulp (60g)
  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream (1 cup)
  • 1 cup lemon curd

Instructions

  • Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from 2 lemons. You’ll want large strips of zest, with no white pith.

  • In a medium heavy bottom saucepan, combine the lemon zest and sugar with 2 cups of milk, sea salt and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and cover with a lid. Steep for 30 minutes.

  • Combine the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk. Stir until smooth and set aside.

  • Set the saucepan back on the stove top and warm on medium-high. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese adding one piece at a time. Whisk until melted then add lemon juice. Whisk until blended.

  • Set a large clean bowl in an ice bath. Add the heavy cream to the clean bowl and place a fine mesh sieve over the bowl. Pour the warm ice cream base through the sieve into the bowl with the heavy cream. Discard lemon zest. Whisk the ice cream every five minutes or so, or until cooled, about 30 minutes.

  • Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Process according to the manufacturer’s directions for your ice cream maker.

  • Spoon about ⅓ of the lemon ice cream into an airtight container. Dollop ⅓ of the lemon curd in spoonfuls on top. Repeat with half the remaining ice cream and half of the remaining curd. Make a third layer, using all the ice cream base and curd. Swirl the curd into the ice cream using a table knife. Cover and freeze until set. This can take up to 8 hours for the best consistency.

Recipe Notes

  • Base ice cream adapted Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Homecookbook

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 2731kcal | Carbohydrates: 351g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 140g | Saturated Fat: 86g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 422mg | Sodium: 1186mg | Potassium: 959mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 331g | Vitamin A: 4890IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 765mg | Iron: 1mg

Here are a few more lemon recipes you might enjoy:

Lemon Cheesecake Recipe

A New York-styled lemon cheesecake with a sweet graham cracker crust, melt in your mouth filling and a nice zing from the tangy lemon curd topping.

View this Recipe

Lemon Curd Recipe

An intensely flavored lemon dessert sauce that tastes just like a crustless lemon pie! Great served with pancakes, biscuits, scones, pound cake and angel food cake.

View this Recipe

Homemade Tangy Lemon Brownies Recipe

Lemon Brownies are light, bright, fresh and oozing with a citrusy lemon bite

View this Recipe

Tangy Lemon Bars Recipe

These bars taste absolutely amazing, and hold up well for picnics, BBQ's and all your summer get-togethers!

View this Recipe

Lemon Curd Ice Cream (2024)

FAQs

Does lemon curd freeze well? ›

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 is lemon curd vs custard? ›

It was also called lemon cheese. While curd resembles pudding or custard, the difference lies in the way it's thickened. Custards and puddings rely on cornstarch, milk and cream, while eggs are the primary thickener for curd, making it lighter and brighter.

Can lemon curd be warmed up? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

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.

How long is lemon curd safe to eat? ›

Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone 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.

Why is lemon curd not called jam? ›

What is the difference between curd and jam? Fruit curds are distinctly different from jams, since curds are made by cooking down fruit juice with sugar rather than the whole fruit. The result is a creamier spread.

What is the best store-bought 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.

What is the best way to eat lemon curd? ›

Let us count the ways! 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.

Does lemon curd contain raw eggs? ›

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

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.

Can you buy lemon curd in the grocery store? ›

It's kept in jars and sold in the jam aisle of the supermarket. Yet technically, lemon curd is more of a thick custard than a traditional preserve.

What is the shelf life of homemade lemon curd? ›

The Shelf Life

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.

What is the best way to preserve lemon curd? ›

Allow the curd to cool to room temperature. To prevent a 'surface skin' from forming while it cools, place a clean piece of plastic food wrap down onto the surface of the curd or cover the bowl. Fill cooled curd into freezer container(s), leaving ½-inch headspace, and freeze immediately.

What happens if we keep curd in freezer? ›

Freezing yogurt is possible and can extend its shelf life for longer storage. The effects of freezing on yogurt include changes in texture and maintaining probiotic content. Thawing yogurt should be done in the refrigerator to maintain food safety.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a mason jar? ›

Ladle lemon curd into clean jars to fill line. Chill until set, about 1 hour. Twist on lid. Label and freeze up to 1 year.

Can you freeze lemon curd in a cake? ›

Can you freeze a sponge cake with a lemon curd filling? Hello, Yes, you can. I would freeze either whole or sliced on a tray until frozen solid, then wrap individually in freezer film or bags for up to 3 months.

References

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