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Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

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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

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:

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
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 11 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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Comments

  1. Beth R. says

    Iv been wanting to make filled doughnuts and as I love the lemon filled from the bakery this would be perfect to fill my own homemade doughnuts and so easy too…..YUM!!!!!!!

    Reply

  3. Jessica Monnich says

    You are a genius/master!! I love lemon curd! I lived in England for 3 months a while back and I would eat this stuff allllllll the time over there. I found a recipe to make it but it takes a couple of hours after all the clean up etc. I am excited to try this!!

    Reply

  4. Lori in NC says

    Oh, I can’t wait to try this! I use my great-grandmother’s recipe to make Lemon Curd, but only once a year (or less), because I can’t stand how long it takes in the double boiler. This could be life changing!

    Reply

  5. Anna Chavarria says

    OMG! Just made this and it is heavenly! I was hesitant cause I was trying Meyer lemons but it came out outstanding!! Thank u for sharing this recipe! I can now make awesome things!! 😀

    Reply

  10. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says

    Ok, that looks amazing! I would totally give up chocolate to have that too! Are you serving that on pound cake or lemon bread. Want to eat it now! Can’t wait to give this one a try Trish, especially because you just made my life easier by making it in the microwave! 🙂 Pinning!

    Reply

  15. Lisa @ Wine & Glue says

    ENOUGH WITH THE CHOCOLATE ALREADY TRISH! <—– LOL!!! This looks fantastic Trish!! I totally have to make this. I see it on all sorts of things, and obviously by the spoonful. I mean. That's just common sense.

    Reply
5 from 28 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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