How to Make Lemon Curd

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Love lemon curd? Learn how simple and easy it is to make this classic homemade lemon curd with these step-by-step instructions! Pucker up!

This recipe is easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s perfect for topping pancakes, waffles, and other sweet treats. So why not give it a try? Your taste buds will thank you!

A bowl full of yellow lemons.

Are you a lemon lover like me?

As a child, I remember sharing half a lemon with my mother.

It was so fun to “drink” the juice from the lemon and then involuntarily squish up our faces.
We would try to see who could make the silliest face as we bravely slurped the sour!

Obviously, lemons are so tart and acidic, but also refreshing. And what’s better than a nice lemon dessert?

Lemon curd is one of my favorite things to make any time of the year because it’s bright, tastes fantastic, and makes the kitchen smell amazing.

I’m going to share how to make your own from scratch. It’s really easy and much cheaper than buying it from the store!

Is Lemon Curd the Same as Pie Filling?

These two yummy treats are both lemon-flavored, but that’s where the similarities end, my friend!

Lemon curd is a rich, creamy mixture made from lemon juice, sugar, and eggs. It’s often used as a filling for tartlets or as a spread for scones or toast.

Pie filling, on the other hand, is a thickened mixture of fruit (usually lemon) and sugar that’s cooked until it’s thick enough to hold its shape in a pie crust.

So while lemon curd and pie filling may be similar in flavor, they’re definitely not the same thing.

What You Will Need

The key ingredients in lemon curd are lemons, sugar, butter, and eggs.

Pause for a moment while I sing…”These are a few of my favorite things!”

Several yellow lemons.

Ingredients:

  • Zest of 3 lemons
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 lb. unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 extra-large eggs
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (3-4 lemons)
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Ingredients for lemon curd including lemons, eggs, sugar, butter, and salt.

The lemon juice and zest give lemon curd its tart flavor, while the sugar balances out the sweetness. The butter helps to create a smooth and creamy texture, while the eggs bind all of the ingredients together. When made correctly, this tasty spread should be thick enough to spread but still light and fluffy.

Today, lemon curd can be found in a variety of recipes, from pies and tarts to muffins and scones. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a spread for toast or crackers.

How to Make Lemon Curd

So, what are the steps to making homemade lemon curd?

Though it may seem like a daunting task, lemon curd is actually quite easy to make!

First, zest and juice 4 lemons. When zesting, be careful to avoid the white pith of each lemon.

Zesting a lemon.

My preferred way to juice lemons is by using a stainless steel juicer.

Quick, easy, and strangely satisfying!

Squeezing juice from a lemon using a juicer.

Now, it mainly a matter of combining!

I love to have everything measured out and ready to pour.

Ingredients for lemon curd displayed on a wood cutting board.

It makes me feel like I am on a cooking show.

Or better yet…the Great British Baking Show! (I’m obsessed!)

Farthest thing from reality but it is a fun daydreaming moment for me!

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A pan on the stove beside bowls of lemon juice, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, and lemon zest.

Now, combine the lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and salt in a saucepan. I like to incorporate the eggs one at a time so there is no risk of them heating up too quickly. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.

Once the lemon curd has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter.

Note: One time, I was combining and stirring this while on a zoom call, was not paying attention, and added everything at once.

Oops! I had bits of egg floating around and it never became quite as silky and smooth as when combined correctly.

So, save the zoom calls for later!

Ingredients combined into a saucepan on the stove and adding pats of butter.

Finally, pour the mixture into a jar and refrigerate until it is cold.

Now, here is an important tip…

As the curd cools, place a piece of wax paper on top. This will prevent a “skin” from forming on the top of your beautiful new lemon curd!

A piece of wax paper laid on top of a jar of lemon curd to prevent a "skin" from forming.

Just look at the gloriously sweet, tangy, lemon-yellow color!

A glass jar of fresh lemon curd.

Lemon Curd

A sweet and tangy topping with strong lemon flavor that is used to complement muffins, scones, waffles, and other desserts. This always reminds me Sunday brunch, Downton Abbey, and my beautiful mother!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 219 kcal

Equipment

  • Lemon Squeezer
  • Zester

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest (3 lemons)
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature (cut into cubes or pats.)
  • 4 extra large eggs
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (3-4 lemons)
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Zest and juice 3-4 lemons.
  • Combine the lemon zest, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a saucepan. Add the eggs one at a time and incorporate into the mixture.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.
  • Once thickened, add butter pats one at a time and stir until each melts into the curd.
  • Pour the curd into a glass jar and let cool. Place a piece of wax paper on top to prevent a "skin" from forming.
  • Store in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Lemon Curd Last?

According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, you can keep homemade lemon curd in the refrigerator for up to a month and in the freezer for up to a year.

So, how can you tell if your lemon curd has gone bad?

The nose knows!

The best way to test it is by giving it a smell. If the lemon aroma is noticeably weaker than when you first opened the jar, or if there’s any hint of sourness, then it’s probably time to toss it out.

Another telltale sign is if it has changed color, usually to a darker yellow or brown. Lastly, if the curd has started to form any lumps or clumps, then it’s also past its prime.

But, this lemon curd is so good, you will eat it all before it has the tiniest chance of going bad!

A jar of lemon curd sitting on a counter beside cut lemons and a plate of english muffins.

So there you have it, a foolproof guide to making lemon curd!

It’s really not as difficult as it seems and the results are well worth the effort.

This is such a versatile spread that can be enjoyed all year round with everything from toast and scones in the morning to cakes and desserts at night.

Or, be like me, and just eat it by the spoonful!

Give it a try and let me know how you get on!

A wooden spoon dipped into a jar of fresh, homemade lemon curd.

Cheers!

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26 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This looks so yummy! I love the story about your mom and you drinking the lemon juice. So cute!!! I drink lemon juice in hot water every morning as it is supposed to help with weight loss – haven’t seen any change though lol!!! The photography in this post is amazing – it could be in a food tv show. The way you styled the items and the photos are so clear and crisp! Amazing.

    1. I think I need to try lemon juice in hot water too. Maybe it would help me not eat quite so much of the lemon curd! LOL! Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world to me! Thanks, Crystal!

  2. This looks amazing. Can’t wait to give it a try. I’m a lemon curd lover and have never made it. Pinned!

    1. Oh, thank you so much, Leslie! I take that as the highest compliment because you are so good in the kitchen! Let me know how it turns out for you!

    1. Thank you so much, Madeline! Lemon is one of my favorite flavors too! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

    1. Hi Vicki! Lemon curd is a huge favorite in my household so I always try to have some on hand. Give it a try!

  3. I love nostalgic stories of the past, thank you for sharing Missy. I have to say, you are a better woman than I…. my husband loved lemon curd and so for his birthday a few years ago I decided to give it a try. I had no idea how much work went into it, and how little zest you get from an entire lemon. In fact, I did not have enough in comparison to how much I needed, and I purchased an entire bag of lemons. Needless to say, I told him it was a labor of love that would not happen again so I hoped he appreciated it. Teehee… thank you for sharing!

    1. Hi Natasha! I don’t know that I will ever go back to buying it in the jar! Give it a try and let me if you like it! Have an awesome day!

  4. This looks delicious, Missy! I have never made lemon curd before, but I can’t wait to give it a try! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Thank you so much for sharing!

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