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Easy Lemon Curd

11/1/2025

 
Easy Lemon Curd
Rich, buttery, and creamy, this Easy Lemon Curd has a deep lemon flavor that combines both sweet and tart notes. No double boiler needed!

Whether using this Easy Lemon Curd or a store bought brand, there is a Easy Lemon Bars recipe for you, too.

But, first things first. You need to sterilize a clean canning jar (it’s easy).

Sterilize Jar in Boiling Water

I am not paid for this suggestion, but this swing top canning jar is the perfect size for this lemon curd recipe.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. 

Use kitchen tongs to submerge a clean jar in the boiling water for 10 minutes.

At high altitude, add one additional minute for each 1,000 feet of altitude.

Use kitchen tongs to remove the jar from the water and place the jar on a clean paper towel to drain and dry.
Canning Jar on Paper Towel to Drain and Dry
Let canning jar drain and dry.
 

​Easy Lemon Curd Recipe Video
​🖨️ PRINT RECIPE

Easy Lemon Curd Ingredients 
  • 3 tablespoons lemon zest from 3-6 lemons (depends on lemon size) 
  • ½ cup or 4 ounces (112 grams) fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup or 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup (148 grams) granulated sugar
  • Pinch (1/16 teaspoon or 0.3 grams) kosher salt or fine sea salt
  • 6 large egg yolks (84 grams)

How to Make Easy Lemon Curd (1.5 cups; 390 grams)

​After you have sterilized a clean jar, you’re ready to make the lemon curd.

Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof glass measuring cup. Set aside for later.
Easy Lemon Curd Zest and Juice the Lemons
Zest and juice the lemons.
Zest and juice the lemons. Set aside. 

Separate the eggs and set aside the egg yolks.
Easy Lemon Curd Melt the Butter
Melt butter over medium-low heat.
Melt the butter in a heavy medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat.
Easy Lemon Curd Whisk in Sugar, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest, Salt
Whisk in sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Whisk until combined.
Easy Lemon Curd Whisk in Egg Yolks
Whisk in egg yolks.
Whisk in the egg yolks until smooth.
Easy Lemon Curd Cook Until Thickened
Cook 10-15 minutes until thickened.
Return the pan to the stove on medium-low heat. Do not boil the mixture.

​Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes. 


​When is lemon curd done? 

Dip a wooden spoon into the curd. Draw your finger through the curd. If the curd leaves a path on the back of the wooden spoon, it is done. ​If the curd does not leave a path, keep whisking.
Strain the Easy Lemon Curd
Strain the hot mixture.
Immediately pour the hot mixture through the strainer over the heatproof measuring cup.

Use the wooden spoon to work the curd through the strainer into the measuring cup.

​Strain out any extra egg or lemon zest. 
Easy Lemon Curd Scrape Bottom of Strainer
Get every last drop of lemon curd.
Scrape the bottom of the strainer with the wooden spoon to get every last drop of lemon curd into the cup.
Easy Lemon Curd Whisk to Room Temperature
Whisk occasionally as lemon curd cools.
Let the lemon curd cool to room temperature in the measuring cup (about 10-15 minutes), whisking occasionally, so the curd does not form a skin on top.
Pour Easy Lemon Curd into Sterilized Jar
Pour lemon curd into sterilized jar.
Pour or scrape the lemon curd into a sterilized jar.
Easy Lemon Curd Ready for the Refrigerator
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
​Refrigerate the curd for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before using.
Easy Lemon Curd in Swing Top Canning Jar
Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.

​How long does lemon curd last?

The lemon curd can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 month in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
 

What to do with Easy Lemon Curd?

Easy Lemon Bars, of course.
Easy Lemon Bars
Easy Lemon Bars
These Easy Lemon Bars with a shortbread crust perfectly balance the tartness of the lemon curd with the sweetness of the brown sugar shortbread crust.

​You’ll even have a half-cup of lemon curd left to enjoy.

​
With its creamy texture, lemon curd is perfect on toast or as a filling for cakes, tarts, and cookies like French Macarons.

Lemon lovers, rejoice.

Easy Lemon Bars Recipe Video
​🖨️ PRINT RECIPE

Easy Lemon Bars Ingredients
  • 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (53 grams) packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • 1/2 cup or 1 stick (113 grams) chilled unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 cup (226 grams) lemon curd, chilled (homemade from the Easy Lemon Curd recipe or Tiptree Lemon Curd from Wilkin & Sons)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

​How to Make Easy Lemon Bars (16 bars)

Place rack on middle level of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius).
Easy Lemon Bars Line Baking Pan with Foil
Line baking pan with foil.
​Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil (to make it easier to remove the crust later).
Easy Lemon Bars Whisk Flour, Brown Sugar, Salt
Whisk flour, brown sugar, and salt.
In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt.

​Break up any brown sugar lumps with the whisk or your fingers.
Easy Lemon Bars Cut Butter into Flour Mixture
Cut butter into flour mixture.
Use a pastry cutter or a food processor to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Use your hands to bring the dough together into large clumps.
Easy Lemon Bars Press Dough into Pan
Press dough into pan.
​Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. 

Use a measuring cup to press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.​
Easy Lemon Bars Bake Until Light Golden Brown
Bake until light golden brown.
Bake for 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Easy Lemon Bars Spread Lemon Curd Over Cooled Crust
Spread lemon curd over cooled crust.
Spread the lemon curd over the cooled crust.
Easy Lemon Bars Refrigerate Until Ready to Serve
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Refrigerate, loosely covered, until ready to serve.

Just before serving, cut into 2-inch squares and lightly dust with powdered sugar.

Store lemon bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Easy Lemon Curd Time to Make More
Time to make more lemon curd!

​See more Recipes to Bake:

Blackberry Lemon Cake
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Mini Chocolate Tarts
Wild Blueberry Muffins
Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

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