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    Home » Recipes » Lemon and Citrus Recipes

    Homemade Lemon Curd – Done in 10 Minutes!

    by Jolina | Published: February 16, 2016 | Last Updated: January 22, 2019 | 78 Comments
    This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

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    With this quick and easy one-pot recipe, you can make your very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd anytime. You won’t go back to store-bought lemon curd again.

    (Can’t get enough of lemons? Check out The Best Lemon Cheesecake. Ever. It’s a reader favourite on the blog!) 

    Homemade Lemon Curd

    I recently baked a cake that only needed egg whites so I ended up with 5 extra (golden and beautiful) egg yolks. Me version 1 would have made such a big fuss about this whole scenario. I never know what to do with these dang yolks.

    But now, I look forward to actually having extras so I can make my very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd (and man do I need summer now; it feels like -32C as I type this).

    Related: What to do with Leftover Egg Yolks

    How do you make homemade lemon curd?

    Homemade Lemon Curd

    I used to ignore these kinds of recipes because I only get along with ovens; stoves, not so much.

    And traditionally, lemon curd recipes involved double boilers and tempering eggs which I didn’t care for (that is to say: have no talent for).

    Either it takes me too long or I make a mess of things or I just simply cannot for the life of me do it right (I mean, it’s difficult to ensure the boiling water doesn’t touch the bowl, right?).

    Related: What to do with Leftover Egg Whites

    How to make homemade lemon curd – the easy way

    Homemade Lemon Curd

    So I thought instead of giving myself unnecessary stress, why not take the simplest route?

    Put them all in one pot and just be extra conscientious about stirring to avoid ending up with scrambled eggs. And that’s how I’ve been making my lemon curd ever since.

    I promise you – try this recipe once and like me, you won’t go back to store-bought lemon curd again. This homemade version is thicker, brighter, silkier, and just all around better.

    I had a jar of store-bought lemon curd sitting around in the fridge when I made this and I can really taste the difference. Put side-by-side, by colour alone (I can show you but I’m wary of lawsuits), homemade lemon curd wins.

    Related: How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

    What is lemon curd used for?

    What is lemon curd used for, you ask? 

    It’s great with scones, as filling for cakes and it’s so delicious I eat it on its own (with a spoon, out of the jar, like peanut butter, don’t judge me).

    You can also make a batch of delicious lemon curd sweet rolls.

    When life gives you lemons…

    So when life gives you lemons (and extra egg yolks), make your very own lemon curd!

    And if you can, use Meyer lemons – they are sweeter. I always keep a stash of those around.

    I buy them at Costco, put them in a Ziploc bag, straight into the fridge and they last me several weeks.

    I’ve also learned how to freeze both the juice and the zest and they last a very long time.

    Enjoy!

    Happy Lemon Curd-ing!

    Did you make homemade lemon curd?  Tell me how it went in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.

    And if you love lemon curd, try orange curd and mango curd. So good!

    Homemade Lemon Curd

    Homemade Lemon Curd – Done in 10 Minutes

    Author: Jolina
    With this quick and easy one-pot recipe, you can make your very own summer-in-a-jar homemade lemon curd anytime.
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine North American
    Servings 24 tbsp
    Calories 68 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 5 pcs egg yolks from large eggs beaten
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup lemon juice see note 1
    • ½ cup salted butter cut into parts
    • lemon zest see note 2

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, combine 5 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, ⅓ cup lemon juice, lemon zest and ½ cup butter.
    • Cook over medium heat, constantly stirring until the mixture is thick enough (it usually takes me 10 minutes to get the consistency I want).
    • Remove from heat and carefully transfer the hot mixture into a heat-proof container. Use a strainer when transferring so you end up with smooth, silky, pure lemon curd.
    • Cover by putting a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd and refrigerate overnight.

    Video

    Notes

    1. I usually use 2-4 Meyer lemons, depends on the size.
    2. Use all the zest from the lemons you juiced.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 8gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 5mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 2mg

    Nutritional information are estimates only.

    Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

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    Comments

    1. Hailee

      January 22, 2024 at 3:53 pm

      4 stars
      This recipe was really easy and yummy. I only give it four stars, because the lemon in it was not very strong. Just add a little extra and it’s perfect.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        January 23, 2024 at 8:23 am

        A little extract will only make it better 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Mary Bethe Richards

      January 17, 2024 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      I made this lemon curd and it was so easy! It was my first time and I had mild expectations. But I was pleasantly surprised and rather proud of myself. I just love lemony deserts and made a lemon cheese cake with the curd.
      I’m going to use it on a lemon cake next. Thanks for opening my eyes to this wonderful recipe.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        January 23, 2024 at 8:18 am

        Glad you like it! Here’s a delicious lemon cake recipe you can use it on 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Patty

      July 22, 2023 at 9:41 am

      Would like to know how you freeze the lemon zest. I tried and it turned brown.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        July 24, 2023 at 10:19 am

        Hi Patty, I place them in a Ziploc bag and freeze. They don’t stay bright yellow, but don’t turn brown either.

        Reply
    4. Mai Yan

      July 16, 2023 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Such a simple recipe and it takes care of my lemon fix. I used it in mini pie crusts, but will play around with using phyllo pastry, cupcakes, cakes,… Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jolina

        July 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm

        Glad you liked it Mai Yan! I use this lemon curd recipe a lot in my lemon dessert recipes 🙂 Check it out!

        Reply
        • Kathleen Glaze

          April 08, 2024 at 1:09 pm

          5 stars
          Happy to use the yolks for my Angel Food Cake. I live in Mexico and no one had heard of it. Now along with my Biscotti I bake alot of AF Cake and this lemon curd is preferred over fruit for topping. Thanks

          Reply
          • Arlene

            May 21, 2024 at 7:11 am

            4 stars
            Easy straight l forward. You might to check you measurements in metric. 1 cup equals to 200g. Your recipe states 100g.

            Reply
            • Jolina

              June 04, 2024 at 1:59 pm

              Hi Arlene, thanks for letting me know! I’ve corrected the typo.

    5. Jane

      January 04, 2023 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Thankyou so so much for your easy recipe for this wonderful lemon curd. I remember my mum making this when I was a child, however here in NZ it was called Lemon Honey. It was so so yummy especially on hot buttered toast. So I’m going to try your recipe and go by taste as I can’t find her Lemon Hobey recipe and she is now residing in her mansion in the sky, so can’t ask her. Will let you know how it goes. However many thanks for this and all your lively recipes.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        January 06, 2023 at 9:53 am

        Hi Jane, glad you enjoyed it! It’s a lovely way to use lemons.

        Reply
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    4.93 from 26 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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