The Best Lemon Curd Recipe

Craft the creamiest, most authentic lemon curd with just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes! This ridiculously easy recipe is a blank canvas for culinary creativity – experiment with lime, orange, or other zesty flavors for endless variations. Perfect as a filling, frosting, or simply enjoyed with scones.

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 2763.2 kcal
Protein 63g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
The Best Lemon Curd 16

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for The Best Lemon Curd

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this The Best 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 The Best Lemon Curd

  1. Zest and juice 2 lemons. Reserve the zest of one lemon for later.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar and 4 large eggs until pale and fluffy.
  3. Gradually whisk in the lemon juice (approximately 1 cup; you may have slightly more or less depending on the lemons).
  4. Pour the lemon mixture into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or spatula.
  5. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 8-10 minutes). This is the point where it's thick enough to hold its shape; a good trick is to do the finger-test: press your finger into the curd and if it leaves a noticeable trace and slowly closes, then you're done.
  6. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding more.
  7. Stir in the reserved lemon zest.
  8. Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve (optional, but recommended for extra smooth texture).
  9. Pour into a clean jar or container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
  10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy as filling for tarts or cakes, frosting for cupcakes, or with scones, biscuits, or even just a spoon!
  11. Variations: Substitute lime or orange juice and zest for a delightful twist!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

12 g

Sugar

1205g

Fat

469g

Carbs

115g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)