Lemon Curd
A silky, bright lemon curd made with fresh lemon juice, zest, eggs, butter, and sugar. Perfect for filling cakes, topping scones, or swirling into yogurt.
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Prep time
10 min
Cook time
15 min
Total time
25 min
Servings
About 2 cups
This classic lemon curd is smooth, tangy, and wonderfully rich. Made with fresh lemon juice, zest, eggs, sugar, and butter, it comes together in minutes and adds a fresh citrus touch to pastries, toast, cakes, and desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until smooth.
- Set the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
- Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter cubes a few pieces at a time until fully melted and glossy.
- Strain the curd through a fine mesh sieve for an extra smooth texture, if desired.
- Transfer to a clean jar or container and let cool completely before refrigerating.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients used. Ensure the curd is cooked to a safe temperature when preparing with eggs.