Everyone should know how to make lemon curd! Lemon curd is the perfect side to lemon strawberry scones, muffins, toast, and desserts! It’s sweet, tangy and so easy to make!
My favorite tea shop has the best scones and sweets. They are all delicately arranged on a tiered tray and served with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd on the side. There is something exquisite about sipping on hot tea while munching on scones and lemon curd. It feels sophisticated for one thing but the taste is truly divine. Lemon curd may seem complicated but it is one of the easiest things to make. You need only a microwave and a few ingredients and you are on your way to afternoon tea!
How Is Lemon Curd Made?
While some recipes call for you to prepare you lemon curd on the stove top, I’m here to tell you can make lemon curd in the microwave in just minutes! Think of lemon curd as almost a custard, to get that creamy consistency you have to start with eggs. Eggs and sugar are whisked together along with a little lemon juice and lemon zest.
This next is someone critical as it is the difference between lemon curd and lemon eggs. Slowly stream in melted butter into the lemon mixture. I mean drizzle it in a little at a time and make sure you are whisking the entire time! This will temper or cool the eggs so that they do not curdle or scramble!
WHERE IS THE LEMON CURD RECIPE?
If you’d rather skip cooking tips, suggestions, handy substitutions, related recipe ideas – and get straight to the Lemon Curd Recipe– simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
All that remains to do is to microwave your lemon curd. I like to work a minute at a time. Place your lemon curd in the microwave, heat for 1 minute then stir. Repeat this process maybe 1-2 more times until the mixture coats the back of a spoon and comes together almost like pudding. At this point, the curd is ready to sit in the fridge where it will thicken completely.
How Long Does Lemon Curd Keep?
If stored properly, lemon curd will keep for some time. Store your lemon curd in the fridge in an air-tight container and it will last you for up to two weeks!
Can lemon curd be frozen? Yes!
Lemon curd can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a year! When you need the lemon curd, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator and use within a few weeks of opening.
What’s Lemon Curd Used For?
As mentioned above, lemon curd is great with scones, muffins, toast, or just with a spoon! But it is also great as a pancake or French toast topper. My favorite ways to use up lemon curd are:
Lemon curd is tangy, sweet, and totally versital! It can be served as is or in many types of desserts! Sweet little lemon meringue whoopie pies have delicate swiss meringue buttercream and tart lemon curd sandwiched between two tender little cakes. The perfect summer time treat! Tart lemon curd and creamy mascarpone cheese are tucked inside grilled pound cake for a dessert grilled cheese! This easy tiramisu recipe is a tart and tangy pick me up! Lemon curd and fresh raspberries make an idea combo in this light and tasty dessert recipe! An ultra tender cake is topped with a tangy and smooth lemon curd topping and a buttery crumb coating. This Lemon Crumb Cake is more than an ordinary coffee cake. Mini lemon hand pies are buttery and flaky pie dough, shaped into a single-sized portions and filled with homemade lemon curd! Perfect little bite sized lemon desserts!Uses For Lemon Curd
Want more lemon desserts? Try this Lemon Crumb Cake, The BEST Lemon Pie, Lemon Frosted Zucchini Cake, Lemon Strawberry Scones, Lemon Zucchini Cookies, or Lemon Sugar Donuts!
Mini Lemon Hand Pies
Mini lemon hand pies are buttery and flaky pie dough, shaped into a single-sized portions and filled with homemade lemon curd!
Ingredients
For the lemon curd:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 lemon zested
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Also needed:
- 1 14.1 package refrigerated Pillsbury Pie Crust
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/8 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine sugar and eggs. Whisk in lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir in melted butter. Microwave lemon mixture for 1-minute stir. Continue to heat lemon mixture in 1-minute intervals until mixture begins to thicken and easily coats the back of a spoon. Refrigerate to set.
- Meanwhile, bring piecrust to room temperature. Unroll one pie crust on a floured surface. Using a 3â?? biscuit cutter cut crust into circles and place dough on a cookie tray. You should get about 10-12 circles. Repeat with remaining piecrust. Place trays of dough in the refrigerator to chill about for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425. Prepare egg wash by lightly beating together the egg and the water. Remove dough from the refrigerator and place a spoonful of lemon curd onto the center of one tray of dough. Brush edges with egg wash and place circles from second tray over each lemon topped pie. Using a fork, crimp the edges to seal the pies. Generously brush the tops of each pie with remaining egg wash. Using a pairing knife, carefully cute 3 slits onto the tops of each pie. Bake pies for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely.
- In a small bowl, melt chocolate and vegetable oil together. Drizzle white chocolate over pies. Let set completely before storing.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1 mini pieAmount Per Serving Calories 240Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 85mgSodium 152mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 4g
How To Make Lemon Curd
Once you learn how to make lemon curd you find any excuse to make it over and over again!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 lemon zested
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- In a microwave safe bowl, whisk together the sugar and the eggs. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Slowly whisk in the melted butter and place the bowl in the microwave. Heat the lemon mixture in 1-minute intervals or until the mixture becomes thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Refrigerate the lemon curd until it has set.
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 40Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 21mgSodium 22mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 0gSugar 4gProtein 1g
Carole Betson says
Thank you for you Lemon Curd Recipe, it’s the easiest, and the best I’ve come by! And it saves me a ton of money for ovetsweetened bland store renditions!
I’m in you debt!
Tanya Schroeder says
It is almost too easy but it is so good!!! I’m so happy you like it!
Barbara says
Do you use fresh lemons or lemon juice from a bottle? Thank you
Tanya Schroeder says
You can use either!