Foolproof Lemon Curd - Lorraine D. Hebler

easy recipe for homemade lemon curd made in the microwave.

Get ready to pucker up with some lip-smacking pops of flavor! An explosion of sweet and tart goodness that is almost irresistible. Bright lemony citrus, sugar, together with eggs and butter combine to create a satiny smooth dessert spread. This is a foolproof recipe for making Lemon Curd using the Microwave.

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Delicious spread for toast, scones, waffles, cheesecake, muffins or yogurt. Easy, foolproof microwave recipe for making lemon curd in no time.

What is Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd is a dessert spread usually made with citrus fruit. The basic ingredients are beaten egg yolks, sugar, fruit juice and zest. These ingredients are cooked together until thick. When cooled, you have smooth, intensely flavored spread with a pudding-like consistency.

What is lemon curd used for?

Use it as a filling for cakes, pies, sweet rolls, or as a spread for toast or hot breads. It is really good on a toasted English muffin with cream cheese. Lemon curd differs from pie filling, custard and pudding in that it contains a higher proportion of juice and zest, which gives it a more intense flavor. Because of this, lemon curd is not usually eaten on its own. I personally can eat it by the spoonful but I also love sour gummy worms candy!

It contains butter and has a smoother and creamier texture than both pie fillings and custards, which contain little or no butter and use cornstarch or flour for thickening.

I looked through my oldest cook books and found that, long ago, it was called Lemon Cheese. Probably because it was used for cheesecakes or what we might now call tarts. Remember the post I did about my grandmother’s cook book?

In the pages of this 1944 copy of the New American Cook Book, I found a similar recipe for English Lemon Cheese using the same ingredients. It suggests serving in tart shells, as a filling for layer cakes, or as a spread on toast, biscuits, or bread.

My grandmother would have made the recipe by cooking the ingredients over hot water. Now I can make it in just a few short bursts in the microwave oven.

How to make lemon curd.

Using a microplane, zest the lemons and then juice them. If you roll the uncut lemons on the counter before juicing, you will get more juice from each one.

Combine the eggs and sugar in a microwavable bowl.

Whisk in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and melted, cooled butter.

Place the bowl in the microwave oven and cook several times, stirring well in between.

When done, you will have a lovely, smooth, tart and sweet concoction of goodness.

Spoon the into clean jars or, just for fun as I did, into pretty, little shot glasses. Invite your girlfriends over for tea and cookies with individual servings of lemon curd.

Fool Proof Lemon Curd Recipe Made in the Microwave

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INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs PLUS 1 egg yolk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
grated rind from 2 lemons
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly

DIRECTIONS:
In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest and butter.

Cook in the microwave, high power for 3-4 minutes at 1 minute intervals, stirring well after each minute, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. (I cook for 1 minute twice then 30 seconds and finally three times at 15 seconds). Pour into small sterile jars.

When cool, cover and refrigerate the lemon curd. It should keep in the fridge for a few weeks.

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You might also like…

Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Curd

Braided Lemon Anise Bread

Lemon Tartlets

Impossible Coconut Custard Pie

Creamy Rice Pudding

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Comments

Alisa Driscoll says
February 6, 2020 at 9:46 pm
I’ve never made lemon curd before today. I’ve always bought it ready made, but never again! This it’s the easiest, creamiest most delicious lemon curd. No double boiling! No straining! No lumps! Fast, easy, delicious, who could ask for more? I can’t wait to try this with key lime juice. Thanks for the recipe!
- Lorraine says
  February 7, 2020 at 8:31 am
  Good morning, Alisa!
  So happy to hear you found the lemon curd recipe easy and yummy 🙂
  Thanks a bunch for taking the time to visit and leave your comment!
  Kindly, Lorraine
Priyanka says
January 26, 2020 at 12:01 pm
Hi, do the eggs not coagulate at all in the microwave, or do you strain the curd?
- Lorraine says
  January 28, 2020 at 6:49 pm
  Hello Priyanka,
  The lemon curd comes out smooth and creamy and does not need to be strained. It is a very easy recipe 🙂
  Hope this is helpful to you. Thank you for stopping by!
  Kindly, Lorraine
Michelle Ridenour says
August 13, 2019 at 3:10 pm
Hi! Can the lemon juice be switched with any citrus to achieve a particular curd? I’m interested in making this with blood oranges as a topper for a blood orange dreamsicle cheesecake my husband has requested….
Thanks for any tips!
Michelle
- Lorraine says
  August 13, 2019 at 3:33 pm
  Hi Michelle,
  Yes, I actually have in my recipe file plans to make orange curd. Instead of the lemon juice, you can make curd with grapefruit, lime, and orange juice. Simply substitute equal amounts of one juice for another.
  Your dreamsicle cheesecake sounds wonderful! Have you seen my Triple Lemon Cheesecake? It is one of our most popular posts 🙂
  Kindly, Lorraine
Jane says
April 1, 2018 at 9:55 am
I’ve never made lemon curd in the microwave before, but I tried it and it turned out fantastic ! It was so easy and it tastes delicious. I will definitely make this again.
Carole says
June 30, 2017 at 2:15 am
Hi Lorraine, hope to see this and any other Pot LUck dishes you would like to share over at Food on Friday: June. Cheers from Carole's Chatter
Ann Thompson says
June 29, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Oh my this looks good.
podso says
June 29, 2017 at 3:18 pm
I've not tried to make lemon curd in the microwave–I hope to try it. Love the idea of the individually servings. It would look so pretty!
FlowerLady Lorraine says
June 29, 2017 at 1:25 pm
This looks and sounds delicious!!!! Thanks for sharing this easy recipe.
FlowerLady