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You are here: Home / Recipes / Condiments and Sauces / Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

January 12, 2019

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three image collage of easy to make lemon curd recipe. Center color block with text overlay.

This incredibly easy Lemon Curd recipe is sweet, tart, silky smooth and perfect for spreading on all manner of baked goods. Lemon curd is so easy to make and is so much better than store bought. It’s simply amazing and so refreshing! We love to spread it on these The BEST Homemade Biscuits and Lemon Blueberry Scones but I also use it s a filling in these Lemon Meringue Cookie Cups – so good!

lemon curd in a glass jar with sliced lemons around it

Lemon Curd Recipe

I cannot get enough of lemon desserts all year long. They are my absolute favorite with that tart, bold, bright flavor. Refreshing and entirely irresistible. We have many lemon desserts that are on regular rotation in our home including this easy Lemon Bread and Lemon Bundt Cake. Really great for a crowd.

But when I want to make something that really epitomizes that amazing lemon flavor, nothing but this lemon curd will do.

Such incredible lemon flavor that really brightens up any dish and can be served in a variety of ways. It also makes a great gift for friends and family.

lemon curd in a glass jar with a spoon with sliced lemons around it

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Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

This easy lemon curd is a breeze to make and if you love lemon like I do, there is simply nothing better. Such a bright, intense lemon flavor that is impossible to resist.

Here’s how easy it is to make:

  • Melt butter in microwave
  • Whisk together sugar and eggs
  • Stir in lemon juice and zest
  • Whisk in the melted butter.
  • Microwave on 50% power for one minute. Stir.
  • Continue microwaving at 100% power in one minute intervals, stirring after each interval until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. (The curd will thicken as it cools.)
  • Strain curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove zest.
  • Pour curd into sterile jars and store for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

lemon curd on a piece of pound cake on a gray napkin

What Is Lemon Curd?

If you are a fan of lemons, chances are you’re a BIG fan of lemon curd. I know I am! Lemon curd is essentially wrapping up that tart, refreshing lemon flavor in a smooth, creamy package which makes it perfect for all sorts of recipes.

Lemon curd is a type of preserves. It’s made with sugar, eggs, lemon – of course!, and butter. It can be used for all sorts of recipes.

Lemon Curd Uses

There is no end to the different ways to enjoy lemon curd. It’s exceptionally versatile and delicious.

  • Topping Greek yogurt with a dollop makes for a great snack!
  • Spreading it on a piece of toast or pound cake.
  • Makes the perfect filling for cakes and tarts and even donuts!
  • The perfect spread on these Lemon Blueberry Scones. In fact, I always make up a batch when I know we’re having scones and often when we’re making biscuits.
  • Delicious as a topping on buttermilk pancakes or even these blueberry pancakes.

lemon-blueberry-scones with lemon curd and devonshire cream on a plate

Alright. I might as well be honest here. I also eat lemon curd by the spoonful. Especially this kind. Cause I know just how easy it is to whip up another batch 🙂 

Now I’m sure many of you will be skeptical. I mean, the microwave? Sounds a little far-fetched, I admit. But try this once, just once, and I know you’ll be convinced.

What Do I Need To Make Lemon Curd

You guys. Not a whole lot. I mean, how simple is this:

  • sugar – granulated
  • butter – I’ve use salted and unsalted in this recipe, both work fine
  • eggs – three of them plus one egg yolk
  • lemons – both the juice and the zest for really amazing lemon flavor

That’s right! Just 4 simple ingredients that you probably have on hand.

The bright tangy flavor and cheerfully bold yellow color will have you smiling in no time. Even on a cold, gloomy day in January.

spoonful of lemon curd and a glass jar filled with lemon curd

Love lemons? Try these favorites:

  • Lemon Blueberry Scones
  • Amazing Microwave Lemon Bars
  • No Bake Blueberry Lemon Cream Pie
  • Lemon Drop Bars
  • Lemon Zucchini Cake

How To Make Lemon Curd

Print Pin
5 from 28 votes

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

This incredibly easy Lemon Curd recipe is sweet, tart and perfect for spreading on all manner of baked goods. Lemon curd is so easy to make in the microwave and blows store bought lemon curd out of the water. It's simply amazing and so refreshing!
Course Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon curd, lemon curd recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes minutes
Total Time 11 minutes minutes
Servings 24
Calories 86kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk room temperature
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • lemon zest from 3 lemons

Instructions

  • Melt butter in microwave, set aside to cool slightly.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
  • Whisk together sugar and eggs in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
    1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 egg yolk
  • Whisk in lemon juice and zest.
    1 cup fresh lemon juice, lemon zest
  • Finally whisk in the butter.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
  • Microwave on 50% power for one minute. Stir.
  • Continue microwaving at 100% power in one minute intervals, stirring after each interval until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. (The curd will thicken as it cools.)
  • Strain curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove zest.
  • Pour curd into sterile jars and store for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

Makes 1 pint or 2 cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

lemon-curd-recipe-collage

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Have a great day!

  • 1081

By Trish - Mom On Timeout January 12, 2019 Appetizers and Sides, Breakfast, Condiments and Sauces, Dessert, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Dee says

    February 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM

    Delightful

    Reply
  2. Sheryl Gray says

    April 19, 2024 at 9:45 PM

    I made your recipe for microwave lemon curd. (Recommended to me by my daughter) So easy and delicious

    Reply
  3. Cheryl S. says

    July 4, 2021 at 1:53 PM

    OMG! I just made your blueberry/lemon scones and the lemon curd too. I had never made it in the microwave!! It was soooo easy and fast. Now the hard part is letting it cool down enough so I don’t burn the whole roof of my mouth off when I eat it! But I would pay that price, because it is THAT delicious! (I didn’t have enough blueberries for the scones so I added strawberries so that I had a cup of fruit. It turned out great! I just have to hurry up and bag them so that a.) the teenagers don’t eat them, or b.) the hubs doesn’t do the same so that they don’t make it to my girls’ getaway this week. Though if I don’t wrap them I’M gonna be tempted to eat another and that isn’t good either!) Thank you so much for the recipes!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      July 12, 2021 at 10:30 AM

      LOL! Yay! I am working on a strawberry scones this week so you beat me to it lol! Enjoy the getaway!

      Reply
  4. CHRISTINE says

    January 11, 2021 at 5:35 PM

    Thank you for this recipe, Trish! I made it and used it in some Thumbprint cookies for my Granddaughter. She LOVED them! This is going to be my go-to recipe from now on!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      February 13, 2021 at 6:23 PM

      Woohoo! Thanks so much Christine!

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Trish!

Welcome to Mom On Timeout where I’m serving up real food for real families! Dinners, desserts, and everything in between!
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