I told my friend Lisa that I was making lemon curd today, and asked if she liked it.
She had never had it, but her husband, Michael, loves anything lemony.
I told her I would give her a jar.
It has been a while since I made lemon curd. I had forgotten how easy it is.
The first time I made it was with my friend Joan back in Albany in the early 1990s. We decided to make lots of preserves for holiday gifts that year. The recipe I used today came from her little book: Harrod’s Book of Jams, Jellies, and Chutneys.
It’s the best I’ve had, and really couldn’t be easier.
~ David
Best Lemon Curd
Minimally adapted from Harrod’s Book of Jams, Jellies, and Chutneys.
3 large organic, untreated lemons (see notes)
4 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
8 ounces unsalted butter
2 1/3 cups granulated sugar
Finely zest all three lemons, then set zest aside. Juice the lemons and strain out the seeds and pulp. Measure out 1/2 cup of the juice and reserve any remaining for another use. Set aside with the zest.
Place the eggs and egg yolks in a medium bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
In a large bowl set over simmering water, melt the butter (it will melt faster if you cut it into slices). When fully melted, add the sugar and stir to blend. When the sugar is warmed, add the eggs and mix in quickly. Add the juice and zest, and mix well.
Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, over simmering water for 10 minutes, or until thick and creamy.
Ladle into clean, dry containers and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use. Once open, continue to keep refrigerated.
Makes about 3 cups.
Notes: it is important that your lemons have not been treated with any waxes or pesticides. If they are, you will be eating them as the zest. Also, the sweetness of your lemon will make a difference. Tart lemons make tarter curd. Neither is right or wrong – just a matter of preference.
Developed and maintained by Inspiratech LLC.
Design by Themeshift.
Lois B
June 16, 2018 at 3:34 pmIt’s been a while since I can lemon curd too. 🍋 My favorite way to use it is to fold into whipped cream for a lemony mousse, so good with berries and pound cake.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 12:56 pmI guess I forgot to mention that I played around with it a lot – you will see a couple of new recipes in the next two weeks! I love your idea of it as a mousse!
Nutmeg
June 16, 2018 at 6:04 pmEverything I love in a spoonful!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 12:58 pmI know, right? I just love the stuff!
John | heneedsfood
June 16, 2018 at 11:07 pmI adore lemon curd and, when it's in the fridge, often just eat it with a spoon. LOVE it on warm toast. I've got a bag of finger limes in the freezer waiting to be turned into lemon and lime curd. Thanks for reminding me they were in there!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 12:59 pmI really want to try a finger lime – I just haven’t found anyone here who grows them! I am sure I could get one in CA, but that’s a long drive for a lime!
Jill
June 18, 2018 at 1:32 amremind me next time we go see V and we will bring you some.
Gerlinde de Broekert
June 16, 2018 at 11:40 pmThis looks so good David and I still have lemons on my tree. I never have made lemon curd before. I should try it. Thanks for the recipe.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 1:00 pmGerlinde – this would be the perfect filing for one of your beautiful cakes. I have never seen lemon curd in Germany, but it seems it would be very popular there.
Valentina
June 17, 2018 at 5:57 amNext to chocolate, my mom's absolute favorite flavor was lemon. She loved it and would adore this! Looks so rich and creamy, and who doesn't love easy?
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 1:01 pmI live on the concept of “easy!” I used to be the person who always said chocolate was my favorite, but realized as I got older, that lemon (citrus in general) is a much better end to a meal. Chocolate always has me wanting more!
2pots2cook
June 17, 2018 at 7:26 amOh yes ! So easy, so good ! Thank you so much and I wish you enjoy the day !
Cocoa & Lavender
June 17, 2018 at 1:02 pmThanks! I hope you have a lovely day, too!
Michael
June 18, 2018 at 3:18 amWe called it Quaker Butter when I was a kid. Love it then, love it now
Cocoa & Lavender
June 19, 2018 at 2:46 pmI have never heard it called that. Love learning new things!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
June 18, 2018 at 6:00 pmFinding the pesticide and wax free lemons is a challenge…making the curd is easy. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
June 19, 2018 at 2:45 pmAgreed, Karen – luckily, we have friends with really big lemon trees!
Fran @ Gday Souffle
June 20, 2018 at 5:53 amYum, my mind now expands exponentially into images of Lemon Meringue Pie(or even better yet, Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie)!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2018 at 1:22 pmI love the way you think, Fran!
Inger@Art of Natural Living
June 21, 2018 at 2:11 amI am glad you reminded me how easy this is. No lemons, but I am planning strawberry curd tomorrow. The local harvest is in!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2018 at 1:23 pmStrawberry curd is fantastic, Inger – hope you post your recipe!
All That I'm Eating
June 21, 2018 at 3:03 pmI love lemon curd but I have never made my own, yours is such a fantastic yellow colour! What a treat for breakfast.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2018 at 1:23 pmIt’s a treat anytime, isn’t it Caroline? You should definitely try it!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
June 21, 2018 at 6:05 pmDavid, it's beautiful! That recipe has quite a bit more sugar than mine, but one eats such a small amount of curd at a time, it probably won't hurt anything! I'm glad you mentioned the importance of getting unwaxed and unsprayed lemons. Precisely why I make my own curd.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2018 at 1:24 pmEver since I was a kid, Jean, I have been disgusted by waxed fruit… and that was before I learned of pesticides! It only got worse from there…
Frank
June 22, 2018 at 12:19 pmLooks yummy, David. A very summery… 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
June 22, 2018 at 1:25 pmIt does kind of look like summer sunshine, Frank!
Sippity Sup
June 25, 2018 at 11:59 pmA bright yellow jolt of perfection. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
June 29, 2018 at 1:24 pmIt’s like sunshine in a jar, Greg – and such flavor!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
July 3, 2018 at 2:18 amI adore lemons and usually like very British things, but this is something I've never been fond of; isn't that strange? One of my friends absolutely adores it, so I should probably make some with my Meyer lemons at some point, she'd be so happy!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 14, 2018 at 7:12 pmAs you will see, I use it as an ingredient you might like!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat
July 18, 2018 at 9:08 pmI always forget too how easy lemon curd is to make at home, yours looks super delisious. I really must make some soon!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 22, 2018 at 4:51 pmI can’t wait till lemons are back in season, Emma!