Lemon Curd

4.69 from 16 votes

Never buy lemon curd from the store again! No really, don't, it's gross. And making it at home is so easy! This lemon curd is creamy, tart, and perfect for topping your toast. Or topping your spoon.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Chill Time2

Total Time2 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 155kcal

Author: The Food Charlatan

Ingredients

1 tablespoon lemon zest optional*
3/4 cup lemon juice fresh, 3-4 large lemons
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs + 4 large egg yolks
4 tablespoons butter 1/2 stick, chopped**

Instructions

In a small saucepan, stir together lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Set over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat together 3 eggs and 4 egg yolks. Whisk it very well.
When the liquid on the stove is ready, slowly pour some of it into the bowl with the eggs, whisking constantly. I usually pour in about half, but you can do more or less. This is called tempering the eggs.
Return the pot to the stove and add the rest of the eggs while stirring. If you don't stir you may curdle your eggs.
Continue to whisk pretty constantly over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. When you drag your whisk over the top of the mixture, it should leave marks.
Pour the curd through a mesh strainer into a new bowl (or the same one, washed). Unless you are an expert curd maker, you will probably have a few solid egg pieces in there, which is totally okay! Just strain them out.
Stir the chopped butter into the lemon curd until it's completely melted. This is a good time for a large spoonful of hot lemon curd.
Press a square of plastic wrap directly on top of the lemon curd. If you just cover the bowl, you will get a film on your curd.
Refrigerate until cold, about 2-4 hours. It will thicken up some as it cools.
Transfer to a tupperware. Keeps for 1-2 weeks.

Notes

*The lemon zest adds great flavor and will make it more tangy. If texture is more important to you than flavor and you are looking for a super creamy lemon curd, then leave it out.

**I've seen similar recipes that call for up to 8 tablespoons of butter. Go for it! I think it tastes great with 4 tablespoons, but I'm not one to turn down extra butter...

Nutrition

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