Lemon Curd
Photo by James Ransom
- Serves
- 1 1/2 cups
Everyone needs a recipe for lemon curd, and this is the easiest one of them all. All of the ingredients go into the pot, and away you go. Don’t be afraid of cooking the egg mixture over direct heat: the lemon juice and sugar will prevent the eggs from scrambling even when the mixture starts to simmer. Use the yolkier version if you want egg whites for meringues or pavlova. Adapted from Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts by Alice Medrich (Artisan, 2012).
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, or 1 large egg plus 3 large egg yolks
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice (from about 3 medium lemons)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into chunks
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Directions
- Step 1
Set the strainer over a medium bowl.
- Step 2
Whisk the eggs (or egg and yolks) in a small nonreactive saucepan to blend. Whisk in the lemon zest, juice, and sugar. Add the butter. Whisk over medium heat, reaching into the corners and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan, until the butter is melted and the mixture is thickened and beginning to simmer around the edges, then continue to whisk for about 10 seconds longer.
- Step 3
Remove from the heat and scrape into the strainer, pressing gently on the solids. Scrape any lemon curd clinging to the underside of the strainer into the bowl.
- Step 4
Refrigerate until chilled before using. Lemon curd keeps in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.