Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe (Video) (2024)

March 17, 2021 By Brandy 27 Comments

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Lemon curd might sound fancy, but it’s actually SUPER easy to make. Try our homemade lemon curd recipe, it’s delicious! You’ll find yourself finding more and more ways to enjoy this yummy treat! This post was originally shared in 2012 and now includes a step by step video!

Try our lemon curd cheesecakes, lemon curd hand pies, lemon raspberry turnovers and thumbprint lemon cookies!

Watch our step by step video!

What is lemon curd?

Lemon curd is a very rich dessert that can be used as a topping or spread. It has the consistency of pudding and has a deep yellow color that you would assume would be from the lemons, but is actually from the egg yolks! Lemon curd is simmered over the stove then chilled. Store bought lemon curd is delicious, but homemade is even better and EASY to make.

Homeamde Lemon Curd Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest (zest from 1 lemon)
4 egg yolks
5 Tbsp butter

Directions

Whisk sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and egg yolks in a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until thickened (should look like a hollandaise sauce) and the mixture sticks to the back of a spoon (6-8 minutes). Mixture should be heated enough to simmer while cooking.
Remove from heat. Stir in butter, one tablespoon at a time and stir until smooth and melted.
Transfer mixture to a bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap AGAINST the curd to prevent the top from drying out. Refrigerate for an hour to allow the curd to chill and thicken.

How To Store Lemon Curd

My recipe makes 1 cup of curd. I usually double the recipe and store the leftovers in the refrigerator. You can also freeze containers of lemon curd up to 6 months or can jars of curd for a longer shelf life!

(Lemon curd hand pie recipe HERE)

Ways To USe Lemon Curd

Spread over shortbread cookies or warm bread
Served with vanilla ice cream
Use as a filling for turnovers, hand pies, macarons, scones, or cupcakes
On waffles, pancakes, German pancakes or popovers
As a filling between cake layers

Here are 23 more ways!

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

Homemade Lemon Curd

Lemon curd might sound fancy, but it actually SUPER easy to make. Try our homemade lemon curd recipe, it's delicious! You'll find yourself finding more and more ways to enjoy this yummy treat!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

chill: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 9 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 (Tablespoons)

Calories: 60kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 egg yolks
5 Tbsp butter

Instructions

Whisk sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and egg yolks in a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until thickened (should look like a hollandaise sauce) and the mixture sticks to the back of a spoon (6-8 minutes). Mixture should be heated enough to simmer while cooking.
Remove from heat.
Stir in butter, one tablespoon at a time and stir until smooth and melted.
Transfer mixture to a bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap AGAINST the curd to prevent the top from drying out. Refrigerate for an hour to allow the curd to chill and thicken.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcal

Years ago I hosted a baby shower with a raspberry lemon theme. The momma-to-be loved the flavor of lemons as much as I did, so everything was lemon raspberry themed and it was gorgeous! I made lemon cupcakes, filled with lemon curd and garnished with fresh raspberries and lemon slices. I also mademini raspberry cheesecakes.We had lemon drop candies on the table and bright yellow flowers. This is where my obsession with lemon curd began. I’ve been making it ever since!

Brandy

Website | + posts

Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Deanne says
May 7, 2012 at 8:08 am
yum, its lemon season here in oz, so I will be making some lemony treats!
Reply
Rose says
May 7, 2012 at 3:06 pm
These looks SO yummy!
Reply
Stephanie says
May 7, 2012 at 6:30 pm
I saw these on fb…they look beautiful and yummo!
Reply
SayNotSweetAnne says
May 7, 2012 at 8:09 pm
You are SO not pathetic for setting up your desserts! Firstly, they look *amazing* and I am a HUGE fan on lemon anything so I’m sure they taste as good as they look. You can come set up desserts at my house any day =OP if you have the time, I’d love for you to share on Sweet Sharing Monday! http://saynotsweetanne.com/2012/sweet-sharing-monday-4/
Reply
mellywoods5 says
May 7, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Lemon curd looks amazing and I have about 10 ripe lemons on the tree so far – YUM!
Reply
Printabelle says
May 17, 2012 at 12:39 am
Those look delicious and gorgeous! I’d love for you to add it on my link party at: http://printabelle.com/?p=3717 Thanks!
Reply
Sue says
May 26, 2012 at 4:26 am
It all looks delicious, and so pretty too!
Reply
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Heather Painchaud says
May 26, 2012 at 5:17 am
Oh my! Pinned for sure!
xo
Reply
Robin @ Bird On A Cake says
June 2, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I just found this recipe (yum!!) and your watermelon shark (so creative!) on Tatertots & Jello. I pinned them both! And I’m your newest follower. :0)
Reply
misschocolat says
June 3, 2012 at 8:30 am
They look delicious.I have to try this recipe.Thank you!
Reply
Isabelle Thornton says
February 18, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Oh WOW! Looks delicious!
Reply
Maju Q. says
May 19, 2013 at 2:54 am
What means 1 T?
Reply
- Brandy says
  May 19, 2013 at 4:43 am
  Tablespoon 🙂
  Reply
HELEN ELLIOTT says
May 31, 2015 at 7:44 pm
Why can’t I bring up the recipes?
Reply
- Brandy says
  May 31, 2015 at 7:52 pm
  Hi Helen. If you click on “source” under each recipe title it will take you to the website where I found the recipes.
  Reply
Megan says
May 16, 2016 at 7:35 am
These look delicious and have a Granddaddy that would go crazy over them! I may have to make up a batch next time we have him over for dinner!
Reply
Chris says
May 16, 2016 at 11:31 pm
looks so delicious. thanks for sharing at #2usestuesday
Reply
Anita says
May 18, 2016 at 7:20 pm
These looks yummy!
Reply
Mommy's Apron says
May 19, 2016 at 12:57 pm
What happy colors and a great combination of flavors. I am pinning this for later. Thank you for posting. I’m glad I saw you over at #ThisIsHowWeRollThursday.
Reply
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
May 20, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Yumm…these look amazing! Pinning
Reply
apoconant says
May 22, 2016 at 5:49 pm
I always have about 10 lemons on hand for infused water and raspberries are just about in season here. Thanks for the recipe!
You should share this with everyone on my weekly link party : )
http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-008/
Hope to see you there!
Reply
Linda Bass says
May 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Looks awesome! I’d like to invite you to come party at Share the Love blog party. Opens each Sunday evening thru Thursday. Hope you can make it. http://homecookingrecipebox.blogspot.com/
Reply
Mindy Sullivan says
May 25, 2016 at 7:17 am
I love citrus in desserts, can’t wait to try your recipe!
Reply
Anita says
May 25, 2016 at 5:41 pm
These looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Pin Junkie Pin Party.
Reply
Danita Carr says
May 26, 2016 at 8:04 am
Oh yum! These sound SO good! And they look pretty!…which is always a plus! 😉 Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories
Reply
Lisa says
December 8, 2021 at 6:29 pm

Made your lemon curd !! Absolutely fabulous..and so simple! And way cheaper than store bought..I got to determine the sweetness!!
Reply
- Brandy says
  December 8, 2021 at 9:56 pm
  Oh, yay! I’m so glad you like it—-and yes, so much cheaper!
  Reply