Description
This tangy and creamy lemon curd is bursting with bright citrus flavor, made from just five simple ingredients and four easy steps. Perfectly smooth and thick, its rich butter and egg base balances the acidity of fresh lemons. Ideal as a spread or filling for cakes, tarts, pies, and breakfast items like scones, this homemade lemon curd is tastier and fresher than store-bought versions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 lemon zested
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup butter (cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, whole egg and egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sea salt. Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth with no visible egg pieces. For best results, use a non-metal saucepan such as a ceramic-coated one to avoid metallic taste.
- Cook Curd: Heat the saucepan on medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning. Continue cooking until the curd thickens and begins to bubble gently.
- Add Butter: Remove the curd from heat and immediately transfer it to a non-metal heat-safe container or strain if lumpy. Add the cold cubed butter and stir or whisk until fully melted and the curd is smooth.
- Chill and Store: Cover the surface of the curd with parchment paper or plastic wrap pressed directly on top to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for about 1 to 2 hours until fully chilled and thickened further.
Notes
- This lemon curd yields about 1 ½ cups (26 tablespoons), perfect for spreading or filling.
- Using fresh lemons (about 2) ensures vibrant flavor and acidity balance.
- Cook over medium-low heat and stir frequently to avoid curdling or burning.
- For smoother texture, strain the curd before adding butter if lumps appear.
- Covering the curd while chilling prevents an undesirable skin from forming on top.
- Store leftover curd refrigerated and consume within one week for best freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 48 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 33 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.01 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
