Molly O'Neill's Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

By Molly O'Neill

Molly O'Neill's Lemon Curd Recipe (1)

Total Time
10 minutes, plus refrigeration
Rating
5(710)
Notes
Read community notes

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Ingredients

Yield:1 cup

  • 2large whole eggs
  • 2large egg yolks
  • cup sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½cup fresh lemon juice
  • 5tablespoons butter, diced

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

175 calories; 13 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 53 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Molly O'Neill's Lemon Curd Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a heavy saucepan, combine the whole eggs, yolks and sugar and whisk to combine well. Stir in the salt, zest, lemon juice and butter. Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the butter melts and the sauce becomes thick and slightly gelatinous. Do not overcook.

  2. Step

    2

    Immediately remove the pan from the heat and strain the sauce through a mesh sieve, pressing on the sauce with a rubber spatula. Refrigerate until cooled, and serve with biscuits or scones.

Ratings

5

out of 5

710

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Micah B.

If you have a quality instant read thermometer handy shoot for around 175°/180°f.

Wendy Hawkins

Lovely! I used this as sauce with huckleberries and bread pudding - to die for! Straining the sauce is optional. I like the texture and taste of the lemon zest and straining is very fussy, IMO.

Susan chira

This was excellent; I'd double the batch next time. It takes patience so that the sauce thickens.

Randy

If you put it in an air-tight container it will keep up to 2 weeks refrigerated and will hold well frozen for up to 6 months.The graininess @Natalie mentions is likely due to exposure to air & humidity which would cause the sugar to re-crystallize.Please take the extra step to strain the curd. The glory of a good lemon curd is its silky-smooth texture.

Mary

I did not have a sieve to strain the curd but didn't mind a little bit of rind. Also I used 1/4 cup of sugar and a little extra rind and lemon juice. Really enjoyed the slightly tart flavor.

Dominika

I didn't add butter and it was much better. It doesn't have that butter-ish taste at the end. Wonderful recipe, I love it.

Ginger

I use eureka lemon zest and meyer lemon juice. I think it's the best combo of the two. I also have cooled this, and added it to a pre-baked pie crust and top with some slices strawberries that made their own sauce (with a bit of sugar sprinkled over them. And yes, strain it for a silky curd. No one wants and egg globule in their curd.

Laura V.

I used this recipe on Pi Day (3.14) to make a lemon curd + lemon shortbread crust refrigerator pie. I stuck to conventional stovetop and substituted Earth Balance vegan butter - came out perfectly! A dollop of vegan whipped cream right before serving topped it off - HUGE hit with my family! Tart lemon curd, tart lemon cookies, and creamy goodness - what's not to love!

Kat

Really good. I did the version with olive oil instead of butter and used instant read thermometer to gauge 175 degrees. Super easy and tasty payoff. Will serve with pavlova with berries. Good way to use the egg yolks left from making the merengue. Really can’t believe how easy this was.

Chef Pizza

Very good. This makes a tart curd. If you like a bit more sweetness, you could probably add it!

Tina Bakes

Perfect recipe, easy method, big payoff. Fold in whipped cream to make a lovely lemon mousse.

mj

Sublime… made double recipe with olive oil instead of butter and 8 egg yolks because I had them left over from a pavlova!!!! Delicious and custardy but still light!!!!!!! Olive oil really brings out the lemon flavor11/10

grhartz

No need to doubleDidn’t use zest because didn’t want to strain and it was fine

Cafe Bar Pesula

We've tested replacing butter with olive oil (fantastic, seems to "open" the lemon even more!) and also adding a bit of vegan cream (Oatly iMat if someone's curious). The cream only adds a slight upgrade, but the olive oil and lemon is just divine. The result is gf and non-dairy, so really great for quite a range of diets.

Katrina

Really good! This was my first time making lemon curd and was a bit worried about scrambling the eggs, but no issues. I used a double-boiler and also doubled the batch, which makes a good two jars' worth. Thanks for the previous tip on what temperature to shoot for. That helped!

PattyB

This is perfectly delicious! I added more lemon zest and used“ santa cruz organic lemon juice” instead of fresh!

sybil

Has anyone tried to make this vegan? I figured I could cut out the butter as others have noted and substitute plant milk…..and egg replacement? Or use some cornstarch? Would love any ideas thank you!!

Justine Aurelia S.

Loved this recipe. So much so I adapted it for orange curd and lime curd and even a Meyer Lemon Persimmon curd. You will not be disappointed.

kahyatonhsera

Through a strange convergence of recipes, I had fresh lemon zest but not juice. Sub'd bottled key lime juice, and it was outstanding. Did not strain, had no issues with bitterness from zest or bits of overcooked egg. Used a bain-marie, brought heat up slowly, and whisked constantly until the whisk left soft peaks. The curd, once cooled, had an unusually light, mousse-like consistency that was heavenly. Best curd recipe I've tried, by far.

Nuray T

Put less butter than the recipe. The consistency and taste were great, but I smelled the eggs when eating. Maybe because I had put less butter, next time I will make the recipe as is.

Betty Watanabe

Used 6 egg yolks & 1/4 sugar

Karen

Very nice taste - the only small fly in my personal ointment is that my curd was less yellow - not sure if down to the eggs or to the lemons or my process…

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Molly O'Neill's Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my lemon curd get thick? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

How long before lemon curd goes bad? ›

Put the lemon curd into a clean, airtight container before placing it in the fridge. There, it will stay good for one to two weeks before it begins to decline in quality.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

Although lemon curd uses egg yolks and/or egg whites, the final product shouldn't 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.

What is Sicilian lemon curd? ›

Sicilian Lemon Curd Deliciously rich and smooth, tangy organic lemon curd. Naturally ripened in the Sicilian sunshine, organic lemons are mixed with organic British free-range eggs and just enough organic butter to create our Sicilian lemon curd.

How to fix thin lemon curd? ›

Add a cornstarch slurry: First, ensure your curd is cooked to 170 degrees F and if it still hasn't thickened, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

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.

How to tell if lemon curd is bad? ›

Another sign that your curd has gone bad is if it's started to darken or if the texture has altered and it's no longer smooth.

Can I freeze homemade lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

What is the best tasting store bought 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.

Why are Sicilian lemons so good? ›

Sicilian Femminello St. Teresa lemons have unusual qualities that make them particularly desirable: they are less acidic than other varieties, have more juice, and have oilier skin. Sicilians are proud of their lemons, and they should be. Nine out of ten of the lemons in Italy come from Sicily.

Why are Sicilian lemons better? ›

They thrive in the sun-drenched Mediterranean climate of Sicily. The land around Mount Etna, the Mediterranean climate, sunny hot days and cold nights, coupled with volcanic soil, gives Sicilian lemons a unique sweetness and taste that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

Is lemon curd good for you? ›

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. The calorie content in lemon curd is very high, and this should weigh on your mind significantly before you think of consuming significant quantities of it.

Why is my curd not thick? ›

*Use whole milk for thicker curd. Further simmering the milk for 10 minutes ensures that the curd thickens when it sets. However, don't burn the milk. *Ensure you use fresh, good quality curd culture and bring it to room temperature before adding it to the milk.

Why won't my lemon pie filling thicken? ›

Cook lemon filling as directed

Not cooking the filling long enough will mean it won't ever set up and will be a soupy mess. Cooking too long actually can break the filling, causing it to separate and make a watery pool underneath. Instead, cook just until thickened as directed.

Why is my curd thin? ›

The temperature is too low. If the temp is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the cultures will not ferment properly and the milk will stay runny. The temperature is too high. If the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the yogurt will ferment too fast and will also render the yogurt runny.

Why is my curd not setting? ›

Usually the temperature of milk determines how well your curd will set. Too cold or too hot temperature can make the curd setting process tougher. Firstly boil your milk properly and switch off the flame. Once the boiled milk cools down to 20 per cent, then the milk is ready to be set.

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