Lemon curd holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite sweets. However, due to my commitment to a healthier lifestyle, it’s been years since I last indulged in this treat. But the holiday season brought an opportunity to make Christmas cookies, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to top some of them off with a touch of homemade lemon curd.
Despite it being December in Maryland, Mother Nature had a surprise in store for me. The day I decided to whip up my tangy lemon curd, the temperature soared to 70 degrees! It was an unexpected gift of warmth, perfectly matched by the summery lemon curd.
It’s crucial to stay close and give this recipe your full attention so it cooks properly and does not burn! You will be rewarded with the tantalizing aroma of lemon zest and citrusy goodness. 🙂
Uses for lemon curd
- Use it to top shortbread cookies
- Put it on your pancakes!
- You can also use it as a topping for cheesecakes
- Swirl into your oatmeal
- Use as filling for macarons or crepes
Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- 10 egg yolks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- Zest from four large lemons or to taste
- 1 cup butter
Instructions
- Whisk egg yolks, lemon juice, sugar, and zest in a medium sized sauce pan.
- It's important to start with low heat to gently warm the mixture and prevent the eggs from curdling or scrambling. Stir continuously using a whisk as it heats. This helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents any lumps from forming.
- After a few minutes of stirring over low heat, gradually increase the heat to medium-low. This allows the curd to heat up further without overheating too quickly.
- Observe and adjust heat: Pay close attention to the curd as it heats. You're aiming for a mild simmer, which means small bubbles should begin to appear on the surface of the mixture. If the heat is too high and the curd starts to bubble vigorously, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook until thickened: As you simmer and stir the curd, it will gradually thicken. The cooking time can vary, but typically, it takes around 5-8 minutes for the curd to reach the desired consistency. You'll notice that the mixture becomes velvety and coats the back of a spoon.
- Turn the heat off and mix in small pieces of the butter at a time, allowing them to melt and combining them thoroughly.
- Then, strain the lemon curd through a mesh strainer so the finished curd has a smooth texture.
- Allow the lemon curd to cool, then store in a covered container. Glass canning jars are ideal for storage. Lemon curd can typically be stored for up to 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
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