Small batch lemon curd recipe (2024)

Published on July 23, 2021 - Updated on June 26, 2022 by Chahinez 49 Comments

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This small-batch lemon curd recipe is perfect for two people. Ready in just 10 minutes with 5 simple ingredients, this from-scratch recipe couldn’t be easier to make and tastes so much better than any store-bought version. You won’t find a more delicious and easy recipe than this one!

Since you’re here, I know you’ll also enjoy Crumbl lemon glaze cookies, Blueberry lemon loaf cake, Keto summer matcha lemonade with chia seeds, Lemon strawberry vegan tart and also The best pink lemon bars.

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Small batch lemon curd recipe (1)

If you have put off making your own lemon curd, as you thought it was tricky and too labor-intensive to make, this is the recipe that will change your mind! Made with fresh lemon juice, it really delivers on the tangy flavor and doesn’t require a double boiler or cornflour either!

This is the best small-batch lemon curd recipe ever!

Store-bought lemon curd doesn’t even deserve to share the same name as homemade.This from-scratch recipe is tangy, creamy, and sweet in equal measures. This is the lemon recipe you never realized you needed!

I always say that this condiment is so versatile, once you make it you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Trust me on that 🙂

Why you need to make this recipe!

  • Ready in only 10 minutes.
  • Uses just 5 simple ingredients.
  • Makes a small batch so nothing goes to waste.
  • Instantly makes any breakfast, snack, or dessert just a little more special.T
  • This lemon curd doesn’t require a double boiler.
  • It is also made without cornflour.

What is lemon curd?

Lemon curd is a rich citrus topping or spread. It’s buttery and sweet with an intense tangy lemon flavor – like a creamy lemon version of jam or custard. This one is made from simple ingredients and comes together quickly on the stove.

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Ingredients for this homemade lemon curd

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.

  • Egg – You will need to use an egg that is at room temperature. Use both parts of the egg.
  • Sugar – You will white granulated sugar, don’t use brown sugar or it’ll change both the flavor and color of the curd.
  • Lemons – You will need to use good quality fresh lemons for best results. The zest and juice will both be used for that extra zingy and citrusy flavor. The most important tip for flavor is to use fresh lemon juice that’s been freshly squeezed. Don’t be tempted to use bottled lemon juice of any kind as it’ll be far too acidic and will ruin the flavor. Look for lemons that are fragrant with brightly colored yellow skins.
  • Butter – The butter will help thicken the curd and give it a delicious creamy and decadent flavor. Make sure to use unsalted butter and make sure you keep it cold before adding so it thickens the curd quickly to emulsify.
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How to make small batch lemon curd

This is how you can make small batch lemon curd. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!

  1. Bring the lemon juice and zest to a boil.
  2. Whisk the egg and sugar in a bowl until dissolved while the juice is boiling.
  3. Very slowly pour the lemon juice into the beaten egg mixture while whisking. You want to make sure the egg doesn’t cook or curdle at this point.
  4. Pour back into the saucepan and cook again.
  5. Once thick, remove from the heat.
  6. Add in the butter and continue stirring until combined.
  7. Press through a sieve (you want a super smooth consistency).
  8. Transfer to a bowl and press plastic wrap onto the surface to avoid forming a skin.
  9. Chill in the fridge, where it will continue to thicken as it cools.
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Frequently asked questions – FAQ

Why is my lemon curd not thickening?

The curd will thicken as it cooks on the stove and will continue to thicken as it cools. Its final consistency will be achieved once it is chilled in the fridge.

How to store homemade lemon curd?

Store your scratch-made lemon curd in an air-tight container in the fridge, where it will keep for up to 1 week. But I doubt it will last that long!

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Can you freeze lemon curd?

Yes absolutely! Store the curd in an air-tight container in the freezer, where it will keep for up to 2 months.

What is lemon curd used for?

  • Top on mini cheesecakes.
  • Use as a filling in croissants.
  • Stir into yogurt for a luxury touch.
  • Try as a topping on scones, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, or even oatmeal.
  • Use as filling between cake layers, in a tart, in a crepe, or as a filling for macarons and other sandwich cookies.
  • The uses for lemon curd are endless, it is such a versatile condiment that helps to elevate mundane breakfasts and desserts into versions that are flavorful and truly wow!
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Small batch lemon curd recipe

If you made this small batch lemon curd recipe and enjoyed them, don’t forget to leave a 5-star review by clicking on the 5 stars under the title and description. It would help me a ton

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Small batch lemon curd

This small batch lemon curd is smooth, creamy and extra tangy. It is delicious on its own but would go great on cheesecakes, cookies, icecream, pancakes and so much more.

5 from 50 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, French

Servings 8 tablespoon

Calories 68 Calories

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan

  • whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the lemon juice and lemon zest to a boil.

  • While the juice is heating up, whisk the egg, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until the sugar is dissolved.

  • Very slow pour in the lemon juice into the beaten egg mixture while whisking rapidly to keep the egg from cooking and curdling.

  • Pour the mixture back into the medium sauce pan and cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly. Once the lemon curd is thick, remove from the heat and add in the butter. Continue stirring until everything is combined.

  • You can now press the lemon curd through a sieve to ensure it's super smooth.

  • Transfer the lemon curd to a bowl, then press plastic wrap onto the surface of the lemon curd to keep it from forming a skin on top and chill in the fridge. The curd will thicken as it cools and can be used anytime after that.

Notes

This recipe makes about ½ cup of lemon curd.

How to store homemade lemon curd?

Store your scratch-made lemon curd in an air-tight container in the fridge, where it will keep for up to 1 week. But I doubt it will last that long!

Can you freeze lemon curd?

Yes absolutely! Store the curd in an air-tight container in the freezer, where it will keep for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 68CaloriesCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 122IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

Keyword easy lemon curd recipe, lemon curd, small batch lemon curd

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FAQs

How long does homemade lemon curd last in the fridge? ›

Lemon curd will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, so it is great to make it in advance when you need it to fill cakes and pastries.

Can you overcook lemon curd? ›

Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

What's the difference between lemon curd and lemon cheese? ›

Some say that Lemon curd is a little runnier and tarter than lemon cheese, while lemon cheese has a more buttery taste and consistency. Most agree though that the difference is so subtle very few would not be able to distinguish between the two.

What's the difference between curd and custard? ›

While curd resembles pudding or custard, the difference lies in the way it's thickened. Custards and puddings rely on cornstarch, milk and cream, while eggs are the primary thickener for curd, making it lighter and brighter.

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

If you just place all the ingredients in a saucepan without beating the butter and sugar with the eggs first, the curd tends to taste eggy. Add the lemon juice and tablespoons of lemon zest and mix.

Why does my lemon curd taste like metal? ›

Why does my lemon curd taste metallic? A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

How to tell when lemon curd is done? ›

Dip a spoon into the curd then run your finger over the back of it. If it leaves a clean line in the curd, it's cooked enough and ready to cool. Curd will thicken up more once cooled completely. Spoon into a container, cover and refrigerate.

How thick should lemon curd be when cooking? ›

Lemon Curd should thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when it's hot and should thicken up to pudding-like consistency when it's chilled. The curd can take up to 10 minutes to thicken to the consistency of pourable pudding, so be patient (remember it will thicken more once it cools).

What is Sicilian lemon curd? ›

Sicilian Lemon Curd Deliciously rich and smooth, tangy organic lemon curd. Naturally ripened in the Sicilian sunshine, organic lemons are mixed with organic British free-range eggs and just enough organic butter to create our Sicilian lemon curd.

Why did my lemon curd curdle? ›

Curdling in lemon curd can occur if the mixture is heated too quickly or if the eggs are cooked at a very high temperature.

How do you eat Trader Joe's lemon curd? ›

Slather it on toast or stir it into yogurt. Drizzle it on pancakes, or ice cream, or cheesecake. If you want to get fancy, whip up some heavy cream and fold it into the Lemon Curd for an almost-effortless tart or layer cake filling worthy of a royal afternoon tea.

What do you eat lemon curd with? ›

As a topping, lemon curd is the perfect complement for everything from scones and pancakes to cheesecake and ice cream. It also works well as a filling — consider using it in crepes, pastries, tarts, or in between cake layers. Of course, we wouldn't judge you if you ate it with a spoon.

Is lemon creme the same as lemon curd? ›

Adding the butter after the cooked eggs, juice and sugar have cooled significantly is what sets lemon cream apart from lemon curd, in which everything is cooked together. The flavor is quite similar, but the textures of the two couldn't be less alike.

Can I substitute lemon pie filling for lemon curd? ›

While they both have a lemony flavor, they are not interchangeable due to their different textures and consistencies. Lemon curd is best used as a spread or filling for cakes, tarts, or scones, while lemon pie filling is specifically formulated for use in pies.

How to tell if lemon curd has gone bad? ›

If the curd changes color, has a significant change in texture (such as lumpiness or wateriness), or if it has an unpleasant smell, you should assume that it has gone bad and dispose of the remaining curd instead of eating it.

What is the shelf life of homemade curd in fridge? ›

Upto 5 days and 11 days dahi could be stored at room temperature (24°C) and refrigeration temperature (7°C) was in good condition with acceptable quality respectively. ... Products like yoghurt are known more for their therapeutic significance than nutritional value [11] .

How do you keep lemon curd fresh? ›

Lemon curd will keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. To freeze for longer storage, transfer the lemon curd to a freezer-safe container, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top to accommodate expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Is it OK to reheat lemon curd? ›

A double boiler technique is highly effective for reheating the lemon curd in a saucepan, especially when not reheating the whole tart. Fill a saucepan with a small amount of water and place it on the stove. Then, put the lemon curd into a heatproof bowl that fits onto the saucepan without touching the water beneath.

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