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Home Ā» Food Ā» By Country or Region Ā» Western Europe Ā» England Ā» Creamy Homemade Lemon Curd

Creamy Homemade Lemon Curd

July 8, 2013 by Kimberly Killebrew Ā· 71 Comments

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lemon curd recipe best english british traditional

Fresh, creamy, citrusy, Summery lemon curd!Ā  Put some on your tongue and experience a delightfully sweet zing!Ā  I first fell in love with lemon curd when I when lived in England. Ā I lived near Cambridge for six years and enjoyed lemon curd on a regular basis.Ā  It’s practically a staple in Great Britain!Ā  Lemon curd has accompanied traditional British tea since the 18th century, enjoyed as a spread for scones and toast.

Good lemon curd is hard to find. Ā Either the texture isn’t right or the flavor is off. Ā What I often find in many homemade versions is that it just tastes too “eggy.” Ā Here is a foolproof, kitchen-ready lemon curd recipe that is easy to follow with positively perfect results. Ā This lemon curd is fairly thick, which makes it ideal for spreading (without it dripping off whatever you’re eating) as well for filling, say, cupcakes. Ā Enjoy this lemon curd as a spread on bread, muffins, scones and cookies, or use it in baking to add flavor and moisture.

However you decide to use it, you won’t be able to keep your fingers out of the lemon curd jar!

Lemon curd is made with egg yolks, but don’t throw away those egg whites! Ā Use them to make some luscious Mint Chocolate Meringues!

St. Patrick's Day Mint Chocolate Meringues

Okay, let’s get lemon curding!

First, a couple of taste troubleshooting tips:

1) Ā Be careful to remove as much of the egg whites as possible when separating the eggs. Ā It is the egg white that has the sulphuric, “eggy” flavor.

2) Ā Use a glass or stainless steel mixing bowl and a stainless steel pot for preparing the lemon curd. Ā The high acidity content of the lemon can cause the metal to leach into the lemon curd resulting in a “metallic” flavor. Ā Do not store the lemon curd in anything containing metal.

Lemons. Ā Fresh, juicy, citrusy lemons. Ā Who doesn’t love lemons?Ā  (Prefer limes?Ā  Make this with limes!)

Lemon Curd prep 1

Zest 3 medium or two large lemons.

Lemon Curd prep 2

Juice the lemons.

Lemon Curd prep 3

Add the sugar and lemon zest to a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until the zest is finely ground up in the sugar.

Lemon Curd prep 4 Lemon Curd prep 5

Place the butter and lemon sugar in a bowl and cream it for several minutes until fluffy. Ā Use a glass mixing bowl, not metal. Ā Use a stainless steel pan to cook the lemon curd. Ā The high acidity content can otherwise leach some of the metal into the mixture resulting in a “metallic” taste.

Lemon Curd prep 6

Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat until combined.

Lemon Curd prep 7 Lemon Curd prep 8

Add the fresh lemon juice and salt and beat until combined.

Lemon Curd prep 9

Place the mixture in a stainless steel pot over low heat and stir continuously until the mixture has thickened and has reached 170 F. Ā Use a candy thermometer to check. Ā This will take about 20 minutes. Ā Be patient and do not try to heat it too quickly or else the eggs will scramble.

Lemon Curd prep 10

Allow the lemon curd to cool and then refrigerate. Ā It will keep for a week in the fridge and can then be frozen for up to two months.

Lemon Curd prep 11

lemon curd recipe best english british traditional

Creamy Lemon Curd

Kimberly Killebrew
A deliciously sweet and tangy, creamy lemon curd. Perfect as a spread or used in baking.
Print Recipe
5 from 16 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course condiment
Cuisine english

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 lemons
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter , room temperature
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

  • Zest the lemons. Be careful to avoid the white pith as it is very bitter.
  • Add the sugar and lemon zest to a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until the zest is finely ground up with the sugar.
  • In a medium glass or stainless steel mixing bowl, cream the butter and lemon sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. Add the lemon juice and salt and beat until combined.
  • Pour the mixture into a medium stainless steel saucepan and cook over low heat stirring continuously until thickened and the temperature has reached 170 F, about 20 minutes. Check the temperature using a candy thermometer.
  • Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate. It will keep in the fridge for a week and can then be frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Makes about 2 cups.
Keyword Lemon Curd
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

 

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71 Comments →

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71 Responses

  1. LTLisa says

    November 12, 2022 at 7:46 am

    Late to the party and feeling guilty – this has been my “go-to” recipe for lemon curd FOR YEARS. Absolutely the best, most delicious, most fabulous curd! But I need to make a lemon tart and am fearful that the creamy softness that I love won’t serve me well in a tart. Has anyone adapted it to a recipe that can be cut with a knife, without resorting to a gelatinous, shiny, typical curd recipe? Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Nicole says

    January 17, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    Great recipe, easy and YUM!! Better citrus flavour than other recipes, probably due to blitzing the zest which gives maximum flavour. Only used 1C sugar and a lime and 2 lemons. This is now my go to recipe.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 17, 2021 at 11:44 pm

      Fantastic, Nicole, thanks so much!

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    September 6, 2020 at 1:51 am

    Is it safe to consume it even if it’s mettalic?

    Reply
  4. Monica Wall says

    September 5, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    I never leave reviews, but Oh My God this stuff is amazing! Thanks so much for this fantastic recipie.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 5, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      Thank you, Monica, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)

      Reply
  5. Nimmy says

    February 26, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    Hi, I read somewhere that lemon curd was used as a topping for cupcakes, does this remain stable in room temp?(right now it 37°C here in Kerala, India) and it will be sitting out in a hall with no AC..

    Reply
  6. Lee Fox says

    February 8, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    Fantastic recipe, can this be made with lime, grapefruit and or blood orange? How much can you cut the sugar back without it affecting the consistency?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 8, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lee, thank you! I haven’t tried this with other citrus but I think it should be perfectly fine swapping the lemon out since this curd relies on eggs for thickening instead of pectin (which varies between types of citrus).

      Reply
      • nicole brown says

        June 30, 2020 at 8:13 pm

        Is the lemon curd supossed to smell eggy? I placed on top of my cheesecake and it has this faint eggy smell.

        Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    February 7, 2020 at 11:33 am

    I recently made this recipe, my first time making a curd, I reduced sugar to 1 cup and it turned out perfect. Couple of Qs for you, (1) can this same recipe be used for lime, grapefruit. blood orange curd? Secondly do you know if reducing the sugar will affect how it sets up?

    Reply
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!Ā  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.Ā  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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