Lemon Curd Without Butter Recipe

This light and zesty lemon curd recipe is surprisingly easy to make and requires no butter! Perfect for adding a burst of sunshine to your cakes, tarts, or simply enjoyed on toast. Made with fresh lemons and a touch of sweetness, this recipe delivers a luxuriously smooth and tangy curd in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 444.3 kcal
Protein 21g
Rating 5.0 (3 Reviews)
Lemon Curd Without Butter 12

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Lemon Curd Without Butter

  • 2 large lemons
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)

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How to Make Lemon Curd Without Butter

  1. Wash 2 large lemons thoroughly. Carefully zest the lemons, avoiding the bitter white pith. You should have about 2 tablespoons of zest.
  2. Juice the lemons; you should have about 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) that has been whisked smoothly with 1/4 cup of the lemon juice to form a slurry.
  4. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to the saucepan.
  5. Whisk constantly over low heat until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk 3 large eggs until light and frothy. Gradually whisk the warm lemon mixture into the eggs to temper them.
  7. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-low and whisk continuously until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Do not boil.
  8. Remove from heat immediately. Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve (optional, but recommended for extra smooth texture).
  9. Pour the lemon curd into sterilized jam jars or airtight containers. Allow to cool completely before refrigerating. Enjoy within 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

4 g

Sugar

312g

Fat

12g

Carbs

29g