Nothing screams summer more than lemons. They’re a summer staple at our house. We prepare all sorts of lemon recipes; lemon icebox pie, sparkling pineapple lemonade, lemon ice cream. You name it, we probably have a lemon recipe for it! One of my year-round favorites is lemon curd, with its smooth, sweet mixture and its ability to make every dish from scones to lemon pie filling pop with tart citrus flavor. Once you whip up a batch of this easy lemon curd recipe, you’ll want to make it over and over again.
Best Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe
Lemon curd is both a naturally gluten-free and vegetarian treat. As a bonus, you’ll only need a four ingredients to prepare a batch of this tasty goodness.
Ingredients You Need:
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Fresh Lemons
- Butter
- Optional-yellow food coloring
How Can I Use Lemon Curd?
Although many people think lemon curd is just a topping for scones, there are so many ways to use it. Here’s a few of them.
- Use it as a filling for crepes.
- Spread it over pancakes.
- Spread it between cake layers. It’s especially good with any type of lemon, plain white, or coconut cake.
- Layer it with fruit and yogurt to make a parfait.
- Use it as a filling for cookies
- Use it as a tart or pie filling
- Use it in a dip for fresh fruit
The Secret to the Perfect Lemon Curd
Stir it often while it is cooking! Otherwise, it will stick to the pan and burn. No one wants a sticky, smelly, burned mess.
How to Store Lemon Curd:
Refrigerator Storage: Remove the mixture from the stove and allow it to cool completely. This process should take around 30 minutes. Spoon the mixture into an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator. Use the lemon curd within a week. It will keep for up to seven days.
Tip: Want a pretty presentation? Store the refrigerated lemon curd in small Mason jars.
Freezing Lemon Curd- According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without a change in flavor or texture. You’ll need to store the lemon curd in an airtight storage container to prevent freezer burn.
To thaw frozen lemon curd: Place the container in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
How to Choose the Best Lemons
You need 3/4 cup lemon juice for this recipe. To get the most juice from your lemons, you’ll need plump juicy lemons. Use these tips to find the perfect lemon for your curd. The lemon should be:
- firm and heavy for its size
- unblemished with no wrinkles
- a bright yellow with no tinges of green (green is a sign of under-ripe lemons)
How much juice is in a lemon?
It depends on the size. Here’s a general rule of thumb.
- One small (4-ounce) lemon- 3 tablespoons
- One medium (5-ounce) lemon- 4 tablespoons
- One large (6-ounce) lemon- 5 tablespoons
Printable Recipe:
The Best Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe
Ingredients
3/4 cup lemon juice (or the juice from 3 to 4 large lemons)
2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 stick of butter at room temperature
1/8 teaspoon of salt (optional)
Directions
- Slice lemons in half. Juice them to make approximately 3/4 cup freshly squeezed juice. Strain the juice to remove the seeds. Using a small zester tool, thinly shave the peel off the sides of the lemons to make 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon zest.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, stir the lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs together until blended. Add salt, if using. Add butter and stir until the butter is melted.
- Cook, stirring often, until mixture thickens, about eight to ten minutes.
Have you tried our homemade lemon curd? We’d love to hear about it. What are some of your favorite summer recipes?
You Might Like These Summer Recipes:
Easy Mocktail Lemon Drop Recipe
The Best Fruit Salad Recipe
Sangria Mocktail Recipe
3 Ingredient Lime Pie
Pingback: Easy Homemade Chive Sea Salt Recipe
I never try this before and it looks great and easy to try.
Looks really tasty! I love lemon. Bookmarking, I want to make it this weekend.
I just did a recipe that called for lemon curd and I had no idea how to make it! This is a very simple recipe. Wish I had seen this last week lol
I’ve never tried a lemon curd. I’d love to though, it’s got my mouth watering reading about it alone!
I absolutely love lemon curd and it’s just a perfect treat for summer. I’ve never made my own but now I want to so thank you.
Lemon curd is new to me! I’ve actually never tried to make it here. I would like to give it a go!
That does sound pretty good! I’ve never had it before but I want to try it out.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of lemon curd and certainly didn’t know you could make your own. I do love lemon so I may just try this.
I have never tried making my own lemon curd before. It looks delicious and easy to make.
I absolutely love lemon! I am going to have to try this! There are so many different ideas for how to use this lemon curd!
My mom loves all things lemon. I will have to try this recipe for her. I bet she will love it.
Lemons are a little bit expensive g=here so we don’t usually buy. Your recipe sounds really the best!
I had no idea how popular lemon flavor is until we started making birthday desserts for our volunteers. The majority of them pick some form of lemon. I have never tried lemon curd but will have to add it to the choices.
What a fantastic recipe to share, Lemon curd looks yummy!
My dad has a lovely lemon tree. I think he would really enjoy a cake made with this lemon curd as filling for Father’s Day.
I love lemon desserts but have never tried making lemon curd before. I had no idea that there would be so few ingredients!
Homemade lemon curd has nothing on store bought! I always make my own and it really is very easy.
I have never had lemon curd, ever. I may have to make this just to experience eating it for the first time!
Thanks for sharing a lemon curd recipe, looks delicious!
I am definitely going to try this recipe. I have always wanted to learn how to make lemon curd. Lemon is one of my all time favorite flavors.
It’s the perfect time of year for citrus desserts. I’ve never had lemon curd, but I do think I would love it mixed with some Angel Food Cake!
I have never tried curd but it kind of freaks me out! lol
I never had lemon curd but it is now a total must try. Lemon is one of my favorite flavors and perfect for summer!
I have never tasted lemon curd. I don;t know why. I love lemons. I might have to try this recipe.
This looks easy enough for ME to make. I love putting this on vanilla ice cream and poundcake. Yum
I don’t know if I have ever had it, but it sounds yummy. I would love to try it on some ice cream.
Lemon curd is one of our favorite “fancy” party snacks to make. It’s SOOOO EASY too!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never made homemade lemon curd. I usually buy it from the grocery store. I really need to try your recipe because I know it will be so much better and fresher than what I buy. I’m crazy for lemon everything, so I know I’ll love it.
That sounds so good! I absolutely love lemon curd, so I can’t wait to try this. My favorite is putting it over pound cake. Yum.
I’ve never had lemon curd before but I’m a huge lemon fan so I knew I’d like this. I can’t wait to try this recipe out for myself.
I’ve only eaten lemon curd with scones when I was traveling. I had no idea it was something you could make at home.
I’ve never made my own lemon curd before, but I love it! I’ll have to try it, because we have a lemon tree in the backyard.
Oh how lovely to have a lemon tree in your garden that is absolutely awesome! x
I have never done a lemon curd before. I wonder if I make this if the kids would like it. I know my son loves sour things so he just might. Pouring it over ice cream would be a great idea!