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.

English Lemon Curd Recipe (4)

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.

English Lemon Curd Recipe (8)

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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English Lemon Curd Recipe (10)

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 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.

How long does lemon curd last in the fridge? ›

Store the curd: Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

Why does lemon curd 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. If you're one of those people, I would recommend trying out my eggless lemon curd. It's just as good, if not better!

Is lemon curd good for you? ›

Alternative recipes of lemon curd allow you to use butter, margarine and egg whites also. Lemon curd is an intensely unhealthy type of topping and spread that should only be eaten rarely, if that. It is heavy in both fat as well as carbohydrates.

What is curd called in 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 another name for lemon curd? ›

Lemon curd's texture is smooth and silky, similar to a very smooth, creamy custard, and thick enough to be spread on scones and other foods. In Britain, lemon curd is also known as "lemon cheese," and other fruit curds are known as "[name of fruit] cheese."

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.

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.

How do you know 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.

What is the best lemon curd to buy in the US? ›

Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Lemon Curd

The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows. The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows.

Why does my lemon curd taste weird? ›

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.

Why did my lemon curd have a metallic taste? ›

To prevent the curd from acquiring a metallic taste, make absolutely sure that all utensils coming into contact with it--bowls, whisk, saucepan, and strainer--are made of non-reactive stainless steel or glass. Since the tart pan has a removable bottom, it is more easily maneuvered when set on a cookie sheet.

What do you eat lemon curd with? ›

Its smooth and creamy texture makes it perfect for spreading on toast or scones for a delightful breakfast or afternoon tea treat. Lemon curd can also be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, and pastries, adding a burst of citrus flavor to every bite.

Do people eat lemon curd on toast? ›

It's a mixture of eggs, butter and lemon juice & zest. You'll usually find it near the jams in the store, sealed in a jar but it's never, ever as good as homemade. You can spread it on toast, pancakes, french toast, scones, english muffins, etc. – it goes well with most breakfast (and dessert!) dishes.

Why do they call it lemon curd? ›

Lemon curd originated in England in the 19th century, but not as the lovely spread we know today. It was first made with lemon and cream that separated into "curds," which were strained and pressed to fill tarts.

What is difference between yogurt and curd? ›

While curd is formed by allowing milk to naturally ferment, using bacteria already present in the environment or the milk itself. In contrast, yoghurt is produced through the intentional introduction of specific bacterial strains, predominantly Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Is curd and yogurt the same thing? ›

In almost every Indian household, the curd is prepared by curdling milk with natural acidic substances like lemon juice. On the other hand, yoghurt is fermented with artificial acids and it usually cannot be prepared in your kitchen.

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

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.

Is Buttermilk and curd the same thing? ›

Curd is made by fermenting milk with the help of lactic acid bacteria. Buttermilk, on the other hand, is a byproduct of the process of making curd. It is the liquid that remains after butter is churned out while making curd. Buttermilk is rich in calcium, vitamins B12 and B2, zinc, and proteins.

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