Best Lemon Curd Recipe

Learn how to make the best lemon curd! A fresh, light and lemony filling or topping that goes great on cakes, cookies, cupcakes or any baked treat!

Original post: February 2018 | Updated: April 2021

Why This Recipe Works

Curd. Lemon Curd. Really? Do you wonder who named this sweet, lemony, succulent nectar? Because if I could give it a name, “curd” would not be involved. More accurately, I’d name it Most Heavenly Lemony Filling On The Planet In Which I Wish To Bathe Daily.

I’m not kidding, if you have never made Lemon Curd before, GO MAKE IT. You will squeal so loudly with excitement that your neighbors will call the police. This stuff is my crack. I could easily incorporate it into any baked good and I am just fine with eating it by the spoonful. There is really nothing better.

Lemon Curd tastes amazing when paired with cookies, cakes, cupcakes, coffee cake or any other baked good. Use it as a decadent dip for fruit. Throw a dollop into your morning oatmeal. Spread it on a piece of toast.

If you love curd and this style of baking, then try Mama Gourmand’s Fluffy Banana Cake with Banana Filling. She shares that the banana filling – like a curd filling – gives this the extra special touch for your favorite banana flavor and that this cake isn’t like banana bread. She was able to come up with a fluffy, light cake to add the banana filling to.

Recipe Ingredients

Eggs – Use room temperature eggs whenever possible for this recipe. Using cold eggs will alter the temperature of the other ingredients and cause clumping.

Lemon juice – Go fresh! Squeeze juice straight from a few lemons to make this recipe. Fresh is best. Check out my favorite citrus juicer if you find juicing a hassle!

How to Make Lemon Curd

Step 1

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugar, eggs and egg yolks and beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice and zest and beat until just combined.

Step 2

Add the mixture to a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until smooth. Increase to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and yellow in color, about 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool. Pour into a bowl and chill in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

• When whisking the mixture on the stove top, be sure to whisk constantly and briskly to avoid the eggs turning into scrambled eggs.
• Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface when chilling to prevent skin from forming.

How to Tell if a Lemon is Ripe

I have lemons on hand all the time because we never know when we’ll want to make our favorite citrus cocktail. Plus its magical juice just goes great in so many recipes. When picking them out at the grocery store, look for these attributes to make sure you are getting the juiciest, ripest ones:

• First, give it a smell. Go ahead, put it right up to your nose and smell for a strong lemony scent. The stronger the scent, the riper the fruit will be.
• The deeper yellow in color they are, the juicier they are, as well.
• The heavier it feels in your hands, the more juice is hiding inside!
• Gently squeeze it in your hands. The more give it has, the juicier it’ll be. If it is too squishy it may be past its prime, so be sure it doesn’t give too much.

FAQ About Lemon Curd

Best Lemon Desserts

Don’t limit yourself to lemon squares! If you or anyone in your life loves lemon desserts as much as I do, consider making one or more of these delicious sugary concoctions:

• Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake with Lemon Buttercream will knock your socks off, from the blueberry- and lemon-infused cake, through the succulent lemon curd and straight to the lemony buttercream frosting.
• Lemon Ice Box Pie – The perfect compliment to the zest of lemon is the graham cracker crust. A citrus flavored cream pie is delightful and so delicious. A small slice goes a long way in flavor, it’s the perfect summer treat!
• Candied Lemon Slices are EASY to make! They make beautiful edible garnishes for baked goods and can be enjoyed as a treat, as well. Such a great way to use up lemons!
• If you have a lemon lover in your life, you are going to want to add these Lemon Bars to your baking list pronto! A lemon curd filling tops a perfectly baked shortbread crust, making the most delicious lemony dessert you will ever taste!
• For more ideas about what to do with lemons that might be sitting in your kitchen, read on for a variety of delicious ideas!

Related Recipes

• Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake with Lemon Buttercream
• Orange Curd Recipe
• Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream
• Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

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