Lemon curd is one of my favourite things in the world. Try it on toast, dollop it on desserts, or even just eat it straight from the jar with a spoon - the choice is yours. But whatever you do, make sure it’s homemade lemon curd - it’s lightyears ahead of the jar from a shop.
For years I wondered why my parents liked lemon curd. It was sharp, tangy and to me a crazy idea to use it when sweet and delicious jam was available. But these days it’s out with the jam and in with homemade lemon curd and marmalade. It’s sharp, tangy and it’s totally addictive. I may eaten some of this batch straight from the jar with a spoon…
What I love about homemade lemon curd is that it’s actually really, really easy to make. It’s not something you have to make half a dozen times before it turns out correctly, it’s there from the beginning. It also only has four ingredients in it, which makes me a lot happier than looking at the jars of the stuff I saw in the supermarket the other day, which had all sorts of preservatives, setting agents and other such things in them.
There is, of course, the undeniable fact that homemade lemon curd won’t last for the apocalypse-defying epoch that a shop-bought version will, but do you really want it to? And if you’re not baking or not going to get through all of it whilst it is at its prime, give a jar to a friend. Who wouldn’t love to get a jarful of something like this?
Homemade lemon curd
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 jars 1x
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This recipe is adapted from the Great British Bake Off’s How to Bake – adapted because I didn’t have enough butter (for once, I’ve not stockpiled). It makes approximately 2 jarfuls. The recipe suggests it can last for up to two weeks after you make it, but given that I’m six days past making it and two-thirds of mine has gone I guess I won’t be testing that ‘best before’ deadline.
Ingredients
- 3 unwaxed lemons
- 3 large eggs
- 100g butter
- 225g caster sugar
Instructions
Zest the lemons into a large pyrex (or similar) bowl and add the sugar to it. Cube the butter and place into the bowl before juicing the lemons into it as well.
Set a pan of water on the hob, place the bowl on top and bring the water up to a simmer – don’t let the water touch the base of the bowl. Stir over the heat until the butter and sugar are melted; you should be able to stir the mixture without feeling any grains of sugar.
Remove the bowl from the heat and crack the three eggs into the mix one by one. Stir these into the mixture well, but don’t beat them excessively. Turn the heat down a notch and place the bowl back over the pan.
Do not let this mixture boil or you will end up with sweet, lemon flavoured scrambled eggs.
Continue stirring the lemony liquid over the heat until it becomes opaque and starts to thicken. To test if it’s ready remove your wooden spoon and draw your finger across the back of it, if a clear line is visible the curd is ready.
Remove from the heat immediately and pour/spoon into pre-sterilised jars. Set aside to cool then put the lids on and store in the fridge. Use within 2 weeks.
- Category: Preserves
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the other thing about lemon curd is that once you have a good recipe you can then start to explore other curds…. raspberry curd, rhubarb curd… lime curd, the list is endless and great fun… I’m so glad to have nudged you on your way with this recipe, it’s what random recipes is all about… so thank you for your entry x
Oh, tell me about it! Lime is the next on my list. Almost endless possibilities. Thanks for hosting it - I do love trying something completely new.
Oooo I love jut eating lemon curd with a spoon. Or spread over digestives.
Yeah, sometimes [read: always] the best way. I bought crumpets for the sole purpose of eating the lemon curd. There’s no just a dribble left in the bottom of the jar.
I agree I do think taste buds change over time. I love lemon curd but have never made my own (unbelieveable I know) especially as you have proved it is so simple. You have encouraged me to give it a go.
Yeah, they definitely do. It was my first time too - so much easier than I expected, there’s really no excuse! Good to know that you’re feeling encouraged - thanks for stopping by The Usual Saucepans!
I’ve obviously not grown up yet - I still don’t like lemon curd! (Rhubarb curd is amazing though). Although I’ve made it plenty of times and palmed it off to other people… and they seemed to like it. This does look like really fab lemon curd though.
There’s no shame in that! I regularly get told to grow up by certain people… I think I’m going to go for lime or raspberry curd next. It was pretty fab - even if I do say so myself! Thanks for stopping by.
One of my favourites and yet I’ve never made curd from scratch…must give it a go. There’s a fabulous Lemon Meringue cake in Nigella’s Feast which uses Leomn Curd and is worth checking out
I was surprised by just how easy it really was - definitely worth giving it a try! Oh is there? I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by The Usual Saucepans.