Easy Recipes with Lemon Curd

Easy recipes with lemon curd are here plus we will share how to make lemon curd from scratch too. Use our homemade recipe or a jar to make lemon curd cake first and then move on to our other and delicious desserts like cookies, muffins, cupcakes and more.

This or homemade lime curd only takes about 15 minutes to make believe it or not. There is just a bit of heating necessary to thicken it up but once done it will solidify even more. Use immediately on top of ice cream, that is wonderful, refrigerate or bake with it. We have a ton of ways to use homemade lemon curd for you below. To make it you’ll need;

Ingredients in Lemon Curd

• Butter unsalted
• Sugar
• Egg yolks
• Lemon juice freshly squeezed
• Lemon zest is optional but best for the most lemon flavor
• Pan and bowl to create a double boiler

Using a hand mixer to beat the butter and other ingredients together, or stand mixer works well too. You want this to be nice and smooth, creamy for sure. If you want to make a few things you can certainly double or triple these amounts and use a larger pan, or make multiple batches.

An easy one is that you can fill lemon muffins or cupcakes with a dollop of lemon curd before frosting them. It adds a burst of tangy flavor to the cupcakes. You can also swirl some lemon curd into the frosting for a lemony twist.

Desserts with Lemon Curd

1. Use lemon curd as a filling for a classic lemon tart. Pour into a pre baked tart shell, or our 3 ingredient pie crust baked just to set, cooled, and refrigerate until set. Serve chilled, optionally garnished with whipped cream or fresh berries.
2. Make lemon bars with cake mix by spreading a layer of the curd over baked mix, over shortbread bars or using a graham cracker crust. Bake until set and then dust with powdered sugar before cutting into squares.
3. Great as a sweet dip of sorts spooned on top of a block of softened cream cheese. Serve with grahams or Nilla wafers.
4. Combine with a fluffy meringue topping to make a delicious lemon meringue pie. Pour the below completed recipe into a pre baked pie crust and top with meringue. Bake until the meringue is golden brown and serve chilled.
5. Add some of your curd with your whipped cream topping and fresh fruit with crushed cookies or cake in a glass to make a refreshing and easy sort of Cool Whip fruit salad. Repeat the layers and top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
6. Lemon muffin tin cheesecake bites can be made with plain cheesecake batter. After baking and cooling, spread some on the top for a tangy and creamy lemon zing. It adds a burst of citrus flavor to the rich and smooth cheesecake.
7. Lemon curd cookies can be made with sugar cookie dough. Press your thumb into the center of each cookie dough ball and fill the indentation with this. Bake until golden, and you’ll have delicious lemony treats.
8. Spoon some onto full or dip pressure cooker pancake bites in this. Also great on slices of French toast for a zesty and tangy breakfast or brunch option. It adds a burst of flavor and pairs well with maple syrup or fresh berries.

Our lemon muffin recipe uses some to keep them moist too. These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities with lemon curd are nearly endless. Don’t be afraid to get creative and explore different combinations and recipes that incorporate this delightful citrus treat.

I will say that if you really love it you will save a lot of money by just making it yourself. If you love batch cooking you can make a bunch of it and then store for current and later use when you can’t find fresh fruits as readily during the winter months. To store, use our how to can jam instructions as they are the same when storing this. You just;

How to Make Curd with Lemon

• Use a medium saucepan and fill a little less than halfway with water.
• Set on burner over medium heat until it starts to slowly boil. Set a metal bowl on top and allow to heat for 3 minutes.
• Combine all ingredients into the warmed bowl and start to whisk, do not stop.
• Whisk constantly until it thickens and heats up to 160 degrees F and then remove the bowl and pour mixture into glass containers. Allow to cool on countertop, then cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge.
• Use our easy lemon curd in recipes, instead of sour cream in baked goods or enjoy over ice cream.

We have used it instead of sour cream in our zucchini lemon poppy seed bread and it really brings out that flavor more than the other.

Recipes Using Lemon Curd in a Jar

Whether you have store bought lemon curd, order some online or make it yourself it is used the same way. The biggest difference is that if fresh you can adjust the tartness, and use it fresh right out of the pan still warm. If you want to use it just as a spread you will want to refrigerate it so it is cold if you ask me.

What can you make with lemon curd that is savory?

To create a sweet and savory dinner you can easily toss this with your chicken bites if you like. A great way to get kids to enjoy their meal a bit more by adding a flavor that they are obsessed with. Offer it as a dip with fried chicken fingers as a fun add on. It is even a fun way to jazz up steamed vegetables a bit!

Can You Freeze Lemon Curd?

1. Allow the curd to cool completely.
   • It’s important to freeze it at room temperature to prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming.
2. Transfer into a freezer safe container or airtight freezer bag.
   • Make sure to leave some headspace in the container as it may expand slightly during freezing.
3. Seal the container tightly to prevent freezer burn and to keep the curd fresh.
4. Label the container with the date of freezing to help you keep track of its freshness.
5. Place the container in the freezer, making sure it sits flat and is not tilted.

How long does homemade lemon curd stay fresh?

1-2 weeks sealed in the fridge will work fine. Freezing is the best way to extend its shelf life. In tightly sealed containers in the freezer it will last for up to 3 to 4 months. Remember to mark on the jar the date made so you can use in time and it doesn’t go to waste.

How to thaw frozen curd

When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight or place it in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process. Once thawed, give it a good stir before using to ensure it has a smooth consistency. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly and/or separate during this process.

Eggs and sugar may become slightly looser or grainy, but this can be remedied by giving it a gentle whisk or stirring before using. It’s worth noting that you should not do this with a batch that has been previously frozen or if it has been stored for an extended period.