English Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

This English Lemon Curd Recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Spread it on a freshly baked scone or even a yummy piece of toast with butter. And, I have the best Magnolia Table Scones recipe that will go nicely with a dollop of lemon curd.

English Lemon Curd Recipe (1)

Lemon Curd Recipe

I love this recipe. My good friend Mindy gave me this recipe, and she found it in an English cookbook that her mom gave her years ago. This authentic and wonderful cookbook, published in the mid-’60s. The recipe is easy, and you only need five ingredients which makes it one of my favorites.

Did I mention that it only takes about 30 minutes to make? I know that Trader Joe’s sells a delicious lemon curd, but I love this recipe more. It has a smooth buttery consistency that melts in your mouth. Also, I always have many lemons on hand, so I always love to make my own curd.

I just made this recipe again, and I made a big revision. So, now you’ll get a fabulous lemon curd. Before my latest change, the eggs would scramble, so now you shouldn’t get this at all. You’ll want to cook it over low heat and in the last bit you’ll turn it up to a medium-low temperature.

If you do get bits of scrambled eggs, strain your curd or pick them out after it is done. It really is a personal preference. But if you cook it for the 30 minutes, you should end up with a smooth creamy curd!

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Meyer Lemons

So, I used my fresh Meyer Lemons from my garden. Do you know anything about Meyer Lemons?

What is the difference between a Meyer lemon and a lemon?

Meyer Lemons are a hybrid of a lemon crossed with a mandarin orange. The acidity is less than lemon, but they still have the taste of a lemon.

Do Meyer lemons look different than lemons?

So, they are rounder than a lemon. Also, they are definitely more orange in color than a lemon. I used my Meyer lemons in all these photos to see that they are more on the orange side for color.

Can you substitute Meyer lemons for lemons when baking?

Yes! The Meyer lemons are less tangy, so in my book, that is a bonus. Also, since they are half orange, you can use them when a recipe calls for oranges.

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Lemon Curd Ingredients

I love making these little posters! As you can see, this recipe has very few ingredients, and the results are homemade yummy goodness!

Fresh Lemons

I used my Meyer lemons, but regular lemons are fine too.

Eggs

You’ll need to bring the eggs to room temperature. You can leave them out to get the right temp or place them in a bowl of warm water. Keep the water running on them for a couple of minutes. Room temperature eggs mix better with the other ingredients thus preventing scrambled eggs in the curd.

Butter

I used salted butter, but either kind will work. I love the little hint of salt, which brings out the butter flavor. Bring the butter to room temperature. You can help this along by cubing the sticks of butter.

Lemon Zest

Add as much zest as you wish. The more zest, the more lemon flavor your curd!

Sugar

I used regular granulated sugar. I have made it with organic sugar as well, and the texture comes out the same despite the sugar’s coarser grains.

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English Lemon Curd Recipe (5)

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Lemon Curd

This buttery Lemon Curd has the perfect blend of sweetness and citrus. It is an easy recipe to make, and the taste is so delicious that you won't stop eating it. Enjoy the curd on scones, toast or just on a spoon! They make the perfect gift.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time12 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: British Baking, Dessert, LemonCurd, Scones

Author: Happy Happy Nester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • zest of 2 lemons

Instructions

  • Get all your ingredients ready.

  • Thoroughly whisk eggs in a bowl.

  • Add whisked eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a medium-size saucepan. Whisk ingredients thoroughly. Next, add the cubes of butter to the egg mixture. Note that the butter will melt in the next couple of minutes of cooking.

  • Turn on the burner to the lowest heat setting. Next, place water in the bottom of a double boiler.

  • Place the saucepan on the double boiler and constantly stir with a rubber spatula. The heat should be at the lowest setting. Make sure not to boil the curd, or it will split, and you'll have scrambled egg bits in it.

    Stir with a spatula for 20 minutes.

  • After 20 minutes, increase the heat to a low-medium flame. Stir constantly. The curd goes from a liquid yellow color to an opaque creamy color in the last 5 minutes. Also, it will thicken up quite nicely.

  • Once it thickens, take off the stovetop and immediately transfer the cooked curd to a bowl. Make sure to keep stirring for a couple of minutes as it cools. If you get bits of scrambled egg, strain the curd or pluck out the bits of egg. The scrambled egg won't doesn't affect the flavor but just an aesthetic choice.

  • This recipe makes 2 cups of lemon curd. Pour into a clean jar and place in the fridge once cooled. The lemon curd should last for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

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I like to get the ingredients ready before I start since it can be a little hectic once things get started on the stove.

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Here is how I grated the lemon peel. Did you know that I have a blog post about my favorite kitchen tools? The right tools make your experience in the kitchen go so much better.

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I used Meyer Lemons for this batch of Lemon Curd, but the regular lemons are perfect too! We happen to have a ton of lemons on our trees, and I thought that I would make a fresh batch of curd and use up some of our Meyer lemons. I still have a ton more lemons on the trees, so maybe more lemon recipes will start popping up over on the blog.

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This photo has the Magnolia Table Orange Scones, so make sure to check out that recipe too. And my friend Leslie has a wonderful citrusStained Lemon Tart that you might enjoy.

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Well, my family is ready to dig into this beautiful jar of fresh English Lemon Curd. I hope you have a chance to make it this spring. I find that I crave lemon recipes in the spring and summertime.

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Oh boy, now I need to pour a glass of my sparkling lemon ice tea! I’m so easily distracted.

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Or maybe we should have a piece of Lemon Sour Cream Pie instead? Yes, I have lemon recipes on my mind these days!

Cheers,

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English Lemon Curd Recipe (15)

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Janine Waite

I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!

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English Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is an English curd? ›

/kɝːd/ uk. /kɜːd/ (also curds [ plural ]) Add to word list Add to word list. the solid substance that forms when milk turns sour.

Why is my lemon curd not setting? ›

If your lemon curd hasn't thickened, it may not have been heated enough. It can take up to 30 minutes of constant stirring to cook lemon curd, especially if it's a large batch. Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken.

How to know when lemon curd is done? ›

I cook mine for about 2 minutes because I like thick lemon curd. Test the thickness by dipping the back of a spoon into your lemon curd and drag your finger across it. If it holds the shape without dripping off too quickly, it's done!

How long is homemade lemon curd good for in the fridge? ›

This homemade lemon curd will last in your fridge for 1-2 weeks, but you can also freeze it! You guys know how I love freezing everything. In the freezer, the lemon curd will last at least a few months and the beautiful part is that it only hardens about as much as ice cream, so you can scoop it out as needed.

What is curd called in the USA? ›

Curd or dahi is called yogurt in the United States. Yogurt is a commercialized product that is made from milk that has been heat-treated to kill live bacteria. Dahi is a traditional yogurt that is made from cow's milk, buffalo milk, or goat milk.

What is the taste of curd in English? ›

Curd is sour in taste due to the presence of acidic substance.

Why is my lemon curd not getting thick? ›

Why is my lemon curd not thickening? Make sure to cook the curd until thickened and bubbling. Stir it frequently with a rubber spatula or whisk to make sure it doesn't get lumpy. Once it's cooked, add cold butter and stir until it melts and becomes smooth.

Can you over cook 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.

Why did my lemon curd curdle? ›

The most common reason why your homemade lemon curd split is cooking the curd on too high temperature. Because lemon curd is an egg yolk based "sauce," it requires gently cooking so that the egg doesn't become scrambled.

Does homemade lemon curd go bad? ›

Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

Does lemon curd taste eggy? Although lemon curd uses egg yolks and/or egg whites, the final product shouldn't taste eggy. If it does, it may mean that you've overcooked your eggs. In saying that, traditional lemon curd does have a distinct after taste which doesn't sit well with some.

How thick should lemon curd be when cooking? ›

Place over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring constantly to prevent it from curdling, until the mixture becomes thick (like sour cream) and coats the back of a wooden spoon (165 degrees F) (74 degrees C).

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

When this acid comes into contact with certain metals, notably copper or aluminum, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction causes the metal to oxidize and release ions, and when these ions mix with the lemon curd, it results in a greenish tint to the mixture.

Can I freeze homemade lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

Can lemon curd sit out overnight? ›

In a covered, airtight container for up to one week. It doesn't really freeze well. Lemon curd does contain eggs and dairy (butter), so I'd be ok leaving it out for the day if I plan on serving it, but anything overnight definitely would need to be refrigerated.

What is the difference curd and yogurt? ›

Both curd and yoghurt contain bacteria, which The amount of bacteria in yoghurt is significantly higher when compared to curd. Also, in curd, the bacterial population is a mixed bag. Whereas, while preparing yoghurt, specific types (or strains in scientific terms) of bacteria are used.

Is curd and yogurt the same thing? ›

Curd is made by mixing milk with lemon or Curd, which yields several types of Lactic acid bacteria also known as Lactobacillus. Whereas, Yogurt is made by commercial fermentation of milk by ingesting a particular type of bacteria strain.

What is the difference between curd and yogurt in English? ›

Curd typically has a looser texture and a milder flavour, as its fermentation process is less controlled. yoghurt, on the other hand, undergoes a more controlled fermentation, resulting in a thicker, custard-like consistency and a distinct tangy taste.

Are curds the same as cottage cheese? ›

When cheese is made it starts as milk, is curdled to curds, is aged to cheese. Cottage cheese is curds that are still wet from keeping some of the whey. Cheese curds is curds that have had the whey pressed out. They are ready to be pressed into blocks and aged but they are sold before being aged.

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