Lemon Curd Recipe

Indulge in the bright, tangy perfection of homemade Lemon Curd! This recipe, adapted from the beloved 2001 cookbook "Luscious Lemon Desserts," creates a creamy, intensely lemony curd perfect for spreading on toast, topping cakes, or filling tarts. Learn how to make this classic dessert in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Calories 914 kcal

Protein 23g

Rating Be the first

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Lemon Curd

Unsalted Butter
Granulated Sugar
1 cup (240ml) fresh lemon juice
Lemon Zest
Pinch of salt
Egg Yolks

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Lemon Curd? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Lemon Curd

Melt 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 cup (240ml) fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
Whisk in 4 large egg yolks until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
Return the saucepan to medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (it should leave a trail when you draw your finger across it). Do not boil.
Immediately strain the lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any lumps. Let cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy within a month (or freeze for up to three months!).
Serve your delightful lemon curd on toast, scones, tarts, fresh fruit, gingerbread, pound cake, cheesecake, or any other treat that deserves a burst of sunshine!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

6 g

Sugar

144g

Fat

227g

Carbs

14g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

30 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Desserts Eggs Dairy Fruit Cakes Dietary Low Sodium Cake Fillings And Frostings Low In Something Citrus Lime

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Lemon Curd?

Lemon Curd takes about 30 minutes from start to finish — roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Lemon Curd?

Lemon Curd has approximately 914 calories per serving, with about 23 g protein, 14 g carbohydrates and 122 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Lemon Curd?

The key ingredients for Lemon Curd are Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest, Salt, Egg Yolks. See the full list with measurements above.