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Making homemade lemon curd can be a complicated process. Not this Microwave Lemon Curd! It's silky smooth, bursting with bright lemon flavor and color and comes together in minutes!
Lemon curd? Ridiculously easy? No way! I know, I know, making lemon curd can be a bit of a pain. Some recipes involve a double boiler, some careful watching, stirring and standing over the stovetop. This microwave lemon curd? Not so much! It comes together in about 10 minutes and much of that time is hands-off cooking in the microwave.
Don't believe me? I wouldn't have believed making lemon curd could be easy either, but the first time I tried it, I was totally sold. These are the simple steps:
- Combine fresh lemon juice with sugar, eggs and egg yolks.
- Stir until everything's smooth and a sunshiny yellow.
- Add the butter.
- Microwave in 45-second increments, whisking in between. It will take 4-6 45-second microwave stints/stirs till the mixture turns to a thickened, glossy curd.
- Done!
See what I mean? Easy!
Ridiculously Easy!
Every now and then I come across (or come up with) a recipe that's is so good and so easy it just has to be designated as part of our Ridiculously Easy Series (you can see many of these recipes in the thumbnails above this post). Ridiculously Easy recipes here at The Café are super popular with our readers because they are simply so easy that it's almost, well… ridiculous! But that’s not the only criteria for ridiculously easy recipes. For those of you who are new to The Café, there is a list of attributes a recipe must have to be deemed “Ridiculously Easy”:
- A recipe that takes minimal effort and minimal hands-on time to put together. (Resting, rising or chilling time is not taken into consideration.)
- It’s also one that produces fabulous, super delicious results, ie, results that “appear” to have taken lots of time, talent, prowess and/or hard work.
- Ridiculously easy recipes have to work well on those busy days when time is short and expectations are high.
- And last, ridiculously easy recipes are perfect for entertaining, mostly because of the first two characteristics. They take the stress out of dinner parties as well as gatherings of families and/or friends and allow you more time to enjoy your people.
- Bottom line? They’re super simple, something anyone can do. (Shhhh! We’ll keep that part our secret.)
This microwave lemon curd definitely checks ALL of the boxes! On top of that, it's smooth, silky, not-too-tart and not-too-sweet. Besides just eating it with a spoon, there are lots of ways to use lemon curd.
What to do with lemon curd
- Spread it on toast, English muffins or these wonderful homemade biscuits.
- A spoonful would be fabulous on these Ridiculously Easy Sugar Top Scones.
- Lemon curd is delicious on pancakes, waffles, etc
- Spoon it over ice cream and serve with shortbread cookies.
- Fill homemade or store-bought crepes with lemon curd and topped with fresh berries and Raspberry Coulis
- Use lemon curd as a cake filling
- Lemon curd is a delicious filling for Pavlova or meringues.
- Combine whipped cream and lemon curd for a light, delicious lemon mousse.
- Pour it into small jars tied with a pretty label and give a jar as a gift. (If you'd like a PDF for the labels, just leave a comment below the post.)
- Serve it with fresh fruit for breakfast or brunch. I like to serve it in a pretty bowl next to the fruit. It's fun to add a small bowl of poppy seeds too for a fun and gourmet touch.
So, you know how they say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? I say, make lemon curd! Even if life doesn't shower lemons on you, be sure to pick some up at the store. You probably have everything else you need for this simple, elegant recipe. And if you make a batch today, you'll be all ready for our fabulous Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart (below) which we'll be sharing tomorrow. It might not look like it, but this is another super easy recipe you'll be making again and again!
Café Tips for making this Easy Microwave Lemon Curd
- This recipe calls for lemon zest. The "zest" is just the yellow part of the peel. The white part (the pith) is bitter. To easily zest a lemon (or other citrus fruits) use a microplane-style zester. These are wonderful little tools to have in the kitchen as they also work for parmesan cheese, ginger, garlic, etc. Just a note, these zesters do get dull and need to be replaced after a couple of years.
- If you notice any small lumps in your finished lemon curd, you may have overcooked it. Simply push it through a fine-mesh strainer and it will be silky smooth.
- You'll be using a total of 5 eggs for this recipe, 3 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks. The extra egg yolks makes the curd a little thicker. Reserve the 2 egg whites for another use (like an egg-white omelet or some delicious meringues)
- Every microwave brand and model is different as far as power so there isn't an exact time to cook this lemon curd. It will take around 5-7 minutes in the microwave and you can tell when it's done when it coats the back of a metal spoon and/or the temperature is 175-180˚F. (I use my instant thermometer to check the temp.)
- This delicious lemon curd makes a nice gift. I like to pour it into pretty jars like these Weck jars and add a little label. If you'd like the PDF for these Homemade Lemon Curd labels just leave a comment below and I'll email it to you. Receiving a jar of homemade lemon curd is like receiving a jar of sunshine!
- This lemon curd will keep well in an airtight container for a week to 10 days.
- You can also freeze lemon curd. Freeze in freezer storage containers leaving ½-inch headspace to allow for expansion. I've never kept lemon curd this long but the National Center for Home Food Preservation says that "Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed."
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
- 1 cup sugar
- finely grated zest from 2 lemons
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 2 egg yolks reserve the whites for another use or discard
- 3 large eggs
- 4 ounces salted butter (1 stick) cut into cubes
-
In a large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, egg yolks, lemon juice and salt (⅛ teaspoon if using unsalted butter) until smooth. Add butter cubes. Microwave on high power for 45 seconds. Remove and stir vigorously with a whisk.
-
Continue to cook 45-second intervals, stirring after each interval. It will take 4-7 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave. Lemon curd is done cooking when it coats the back of a metal spoon. You can also check it with an instant thermometer. It’s done when it reaches 175˚F.
-
Remove from the microwave and whisk well. Add lemon zest and stir. Allow the curd to cool to room temperature. It will thicken as it cools. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
See Café Tips above for further instructions and more detailed tips.
If using unsalted butter add a pinch (about ⅛ teaspoon of salt).
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Gigi says
Mmmmmm. This is so good and so easy! And yes, please on the labels. What wonderful gifts it makes.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Gigi! We will send the labels.
Nicky says
Thank-you
This is a lovely recipe & very easy to make x
Please could i have some of your lovely labels x
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Nicky!
Sandra White says
Sandy
Fantastic recipie, tastes really nice and so simple to make I made the lemon curd in 10 minutes from start to finish. I would really like the lemon curd labels please sandy
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Sandy! We will send the labels now!
Maz says
I have always been put off making Lemon Curd because of having to use a double boiler but this looks so easy...can't wait to make it. I'd love the Pdf for the labels. Thanks
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Maz!
Ruth says
I’d love a copy of the labels please! They are so lovely 😍
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Ruth! Sending the labels your way.
Angela says
Wow, I was blown away by this simple yet amazing recipe for lemon curd! It's so good, I'm putting it on everything. I'm definitely going to be making more and was hoping you could also send me some of your cute labels?
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Angela! Sending the labels now!
Robin Abbott says
Hello Chris,
I cannot begin to tell you how delicious this lemon curd is. I have made it three times and each time I am amazed how perfect it turns out. You are a genius and I enjoy cooking your recipes so so much. I love to cook and my family loves to eat. All of your recipes make me feel like a successful cook because everything always is explained so well and I love your videos. Thank you for all that you do to make cooking a joy for me. I would love to be able to print off the lemon curd labels. That’s so thoughtful and generous of you to pass these along.
In Christian love,
Robin
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Robin! We will send the labels now!
LEE LABRIE says
Great recipe and so easy. I'd love to have a copy of your pretty labels if I may. Thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Lee! Sending the labels your way.
Mrs T Kyle says
Ooooooooh -I was looking for a simple lemon curd recipe and found your microwave version which it totally brilliant ! Problem was, I also found your Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart recipe so I am just going to HAVE to try that too ! Then I found a load of other recipes on your web site - and some of them look just too delicious for words !!! What a magic site ! If you could PDF me your lemon curd labels i can make some and give some as a present to my neighbours - they would love that ! Can't WAIT to try out more recipes from your site though !!! I haven't tried out the recipe so haven't given it a star rating as yet but I am sure it will be 5* ! Thank you. Trisha
Chris Scheuer says
I'm glad you found us, Trisha! We will send the labels now. Let us know your results.
Mary Ann says
I just LOVE all your recipes and the lemon curd is amazing! The darling jars - perhaps I missed it, but where can I get them? Also, I'd appreciate the PDF for the labels. You're the best!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! We will send the labels now. The jars are Weck. Here are the links for the ones featured in the post- https://weckjars.com/product/762-jelly-jar/ https://weckjars.com/product/902-deco-jar/
rosemary merrill says
Lemon curd recipe is really a treat. Would you please send me info for the lemon curdlabels.
Thanks so much...
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Rosemary! We will send the labels now!
Shannon. says
Thanks so much for this delicious and easy recipe. I would also love to have the pdf for the labels
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Shannon!
Debra finlayson says
My Mum use to make this recipe many years ago. With an excess of lemons this year I can’t wait to make it. I would love a copy of the PDF labels
Thank you
N
T
Chris Scheuer says
That's awesome, Debra! Sending the labels now!
Cheryl Bowen says
Lemon curd. Havent had homemade lemon curd in ages. Thank you for this microwave version.
Please may I have the pdf labels.
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll enjoy it, Cheryl! We will send the labels now.
Ellen Haytas says
This recipe looks amazing. I can’t wait to make and gift this!! I would love to have the labels. Thank you so much.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Ellen! We will send the labels now.
Pat says
I have to try this. I love lemon curd but always thought it was too complicated to make. Please send label pdf thanks
Chris Scheuer says
This recipe is simple, Pat! Just sent the labels!
Judy says
Thanks so much for this fabulous recipe. I've made it twice in one week. I'd love the PDF labels please. Judy, Tasmania 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
I love that, Judy! We will send the labels!
Sandy says
This recipe is so easy AND it is delicious in the Lemon Mousse recipe. Thanks for sharing. Please send me the pdf labels. A container of this would make a very nice hostess gift.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Sandy! We will send the labels now.
Eleanor McCleary says
About to make this lemon curd recipe.
Would love pdf for the labels so I can give
as a little gift to my friends
Love the recipes.
Ellie
Chris Scheuer says
We will send them now, Ellie! Enjoy!
Marlene Wilkins says
We had strawberry/rhubarb pie and we put a dab of this sauce on it and we all enjoyed it. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Yum! That sounds delicious, Marlene!
Linda says
Hi, as I do not have a microwave, would a low temperature double boiler work for this recipe? May I please have the label PDF?
Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Linda, yes, that will work fine. It will take longer, just look for the right consistency.
Linda says
Thank you for your timely reply and PDF labels.
Chris Scheuer says
🤗
Peggy Tanacha says
Hi Chris,
Thanks for another quick and easy recipe! Will try it soon!
Would love to have the label PDF file, please!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Peggy!
Patricia says
Hello Chris 🙂 I luv lemon curd but have been hesitant to make it in past. your 'ridiculous' recipe has definitely got me inspired! I especially appreciate this category! 🙂
Also, could you please send me your sweet labels, many thanks!!
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll love this recipe, Patricia! We will send the labels now.
Teri Booth says
I’d like the label. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Teri!
Charlotte Bailey says
I am so looking forward to making this recipe for my card friends (Hand and Foot on Thursday evenings!), and would really appreciate your labels - such a nice, tasty, fun little gift! FYI - love, love, love your recipes!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Charlotte! We will send the labels!