Valentina Ablaev
This simple lemon curd recipe is the perfect way to create a delicious homemade lemon filling. The tangy lemon curd is packed with flavor and is easy to prepare. The lemon curd is so versatile and may be used in cakes, pies, cookies, and our favorite, the easiest lemon tiramisu.
Lemon desserts are some of our all-time favorites! From fluffy lemon bread to our lemon poppyseed muffins, lemon flavor brings the perfect balance to any dessert, and this lemon curd is no exception! It’s rich and buttery with the ideal zesty flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Making lemon curd from scratch is easier than you think and so much better! Not only is this a healthier option than store-bought, but it tastes better and is cheaper!
Ingredients for Lemon Curd:
Simple ingredients come together to make an incredible
- Whole egg – large egg are the key to any curd, making it rich and delicious.
- Sugar – sweetens and thickens the curd.
- Lemons – fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are all you need for a flavorful curd.
- Unsalted butter – the secret ingredient to a silky and rich sauce.
- Vanilla – adds a hint of flavor.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Lemon Curd From Scratch
- Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a saucepan until well combined.
2. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Cook on the stove over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar fully dissolves.
3. Add the butter and continue whisking for 5–6 minutes or until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Strain the curd through a fine mesh sieve into a storage container. Let it cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Expert Tips:
- Keep the temperature low. When making any curd, keeping the temperature consistently low is key. Otherwise, you could accidentally cook the egg and ruining the curd!
- Customize the flavor. Add almond extract, orange juice, or berries to make a custom-flavored lemon curd.
How to Use Homemade Lemon Curd Filling
- Cakes: Use this lemon curd in your favorite vanilla cake recipe.
- Crepes: Add this filling to your homemade crepes to make delicious lemon-filled crepes.
- Cupcakes: Just like in our strawberry shortcake cupcake, you can add lemon curd to the center of the cupcakes. The combination is out of this world!
- Toast: Add lemon curd to a slice of toasted sandwich bread for a delicious bite.
- Pancakes: Top your homemade pancakes with lemon curd for the best texture and flavor.
Lemon Curd FAQ’S
We recommend using only freshly squeezed lemon juice because of the extra ingredients in store-bought lemon juice. The flavor is so much better when using fresh lemons!
The sugar in lemon curd balances the sourness, so the filling isn’t overwhelmingly sour, but it has that recognizable zest!
If your lemon curd separated, that could be a sign you were cooking it on too high of a heat.
Store & Reheat
- Storage. Store the lemon curd in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze. You can freeze lemon curd for up to a year! Add the curd to a freezer-safe container and store for up to a year. Thaw: Place the lemon curd in the fridge overnight and enjoy!
More Dessert Recipe
If you enjoyed this lemon curd recipe, be sure to try our other popular dessert recipes; here are some of our favorites:
If you tried this lemon curd recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!
Lemon Curd
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the eggs and sugar until combined.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Heat over medium-low and cook until the sugar is dissolved, whisking constantly.
- Turn the heat to low and add in the butter.
- Whisk the mixture for 5-6 minutes or until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla.
- Run the curd through a fine mesh strainer into a storage container.
- Once cooled, cover and refrigerate.
Notes
- Keep the temperature low. Keeping the temperature low is vital for the perfect lemon curd!
- Customize the flavor. Level up your lemon curd with the addition of another flavor! Some of our favorites are orange, almond, and blueberry!
- Storage. Lemon curd can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
