The Perfect Lemon Curd Recipe

The perfect homemade lemon curd is sweet, tangy, and velvety smooth! This lemon curd recipe is so simple and quick to make, not to mention versatile, as it can be used on scones, cakes, cookies, or even toast.

I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos, a video tutorial, helpful success tips, and additional flavors.

Overhead view of lemon curd in a jar with a spoon in it.

Baking Tip!

  • Cook over low heat to help prevent curdling the eggs
  • Don’t stop whisking once everything has been added to the saucepan
  • Use fresh lemons for the best flavor
  • Use cold butter to help cool the curd and stop it from cooking any further
Ingredients: lemons, butter, eggs, and sugar.

How to Make Simple Lemon Curd

Thankfully, you wonโ€™t have to wait long to get this stuff in your mouth. Itโ€™s so quick and easy to make! Just dump your sugar, lemon juice and zest, butter, eggs, and egg yolk in a pan. Whisk it all together over heat until it thickens, and then push it through a mesh strainer. 

You donโ€™t have to strain it, but itโ€™ll be even more satiny smooth if you do, so I suggest it. This lemon curd will also thicken more as it cools.

Now, the most important part – ENJOY! 

Overhead view of the completed curd in a jar.

Uses for Lemon Curd

There are SO many ways to enjoy this treat. You can go as simple as spreading it on a piece of toast, or as involved as making it a layer in a three-tier cake. I personally love eating it straight from the jar, lol! 

If you want to incorporate it into a breakfast meal, this Blueberry Dutch Baby is served with lemon curd and is sure to be a hit with your family. You could also double up on lemon by putting your curd on cheesecake bars. One of my personal favorites is curd smeared on top of lemon ricotta pancakes!

This homemade curd could also be used as a filling in this lemon blueberry cheesecake crescent roll recipe. (And yes, they are as incredible as they sound.)

Donโ€™t want an additional recipe in the mix? Go ahead and slather it on a scone, toast, English muffin, or ice cream. You could even top your oatmeal with it along with a selection of berries (blueberries go wonderfully with lemon if you couldnโ€™t tell). It doesnโ€™t have to be complicated to be yummy. 

A spoon pulling up lemon curd from the jar.

Craving More Lemon?

The Perfect Homemade Lemon Curd

A quick and easy recipe for thick and luscious homemade Lemon Curd!
Servings: 20 (1 tablespoon servings)
Author: Malinda Linnebur
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients

  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • ยฝ cup (105g) sugar
  • ยฝ cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • Zest one lemon and add to the sugar. Rub the zest with the sugar to release the oils. This step will add a lot of lemon flavor to the curd.
    Zest of 1 lemon, ยฝ cup (105g) sugar
    Two pictures showing adding the zest to the sugar and the other rubbing the zest with the sugar.
  • Add the zest and sugar mixture to a medium saucepan along with the lemon juice, eggs, and egg yolk. Whisk together until combined.
    ยฝ cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice, 2 large eggs, 1 egg yolk
    Two pictures showing how to mix up everything in the pan.
  • Cook over low heat, whisking constantly just until the mixture starts to thicken. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Pour through a mesh strainer or sieve. This step will remove the zest along with any little chunks that may have formed while cooking, ensuring a smooth curd.
    3 tablespoons butter
    Two pictures showing how thick the curd should be and stirring in the butter.
  • Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  1. FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.ย 
  2. Do not use bottled lemon juice.ย 
  3. Use salted butter if desired. Adds a nice touch!
  4. NUTRITION: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Did you make this?Let me know by sharing a picture and tagging @countryside_cravings on Instagram

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3 Comments

  1. Until I saw this recipe of the lemon blueberry crescent rolls,I had never heard of lemon curd.

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