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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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Diane says
Sounds delicious! Please may I have a copy of your labels? Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Diane!
Beth Roder says
I am making your recipe and putting it in jars to a water bath. I have had great results, and it has not discolored for up to 12 months.
Please send labels so I can gift more of my lemon curd. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Beth! We will send the labels your way.
Jo Price says
Superb, easy recipe. I should love to add your pretty labels to my jars.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Jo! Sending the labels your way 🙂
Summer Hannah says
I have made other lemon curds and this was by far the easiest and quickest with the least amount of mess. It has become my go-to recipe for curd. I have used it to op fresh fruit, to make dips, fill cakes and even used it in my favorite sour cream cheesecake recipe by adding it to the top 1/2 of the batter. Thanks so much for sharing!
I'd love to get the template for your labels. Thank you!
Summer
Chris Scheuer says
I'm so glad, Summer! Thanks for letting us know! We will send the labels your way 🙂
Janet says
Love the curd, please send label template. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Janet!
Anna says
Can’t wait to try this easy recipe with my Meyer lemons. Please send me labels. Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Anna!
Mutzy Mia says
Would love to try making this. Could you please send me the darling labels? Thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Mia!
Charlotte Bailey says
I will be making this again this weekend for friends as I have lots of ripening lemons! I would so appreciate your always lovely labels on pdf. Thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes, and I look forward to your Bible verses!
Chris Scheuer says
I'm so glad, Charlotte! We will send the labels your way.
Susan Perko says
Love Lemon Curd, can't wait to try this recipe. Please send the labels.
Susan P
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Susan!
Jane says
Can't wait to try this lemon curd recipe. Sounds and looks fantastic.
Please send me those adorable labels!
thank you!
Pat graham says
Wow, this sounds so easy . I live in Spain and have loads of lemons so I’m making this today. Would love the little labels please.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Pat! Enjoy!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Pat!
SUSAN says
Thank you again for this wonderful recipe. I just made a lovely batch with Meyer Lemons from my backyard tree. We live in the PHX area and I hope you are enjoying your trip...the weather is not the warmest. I hope you brought some woolies!
Chris Scheuer says
Lucky you, Susan! We are having a wonderful time 🙂
Yvonne Trimble says
This recipe looks just the ticket - could I please ask for the lable PDF?
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Yvonne!
Teresa Davis says
Have made this before to great success. Can recipe be doubled?
Chris Scheuer says
Yes! Glad you enjoyed it, Teresa!
Christina Clelland says
Hi, this sounds so easy! Could I have to label pdf, please?
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Christina!
Pat M says
Please send me the labels! Great gift idea! Pat
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Pat! Enjoy!
Alexa Maxwell says
I would love to have the label pdf! Was looking for a recipe for gifts using my gazillion lemons! Would this recipe also work for Meyer lemons?
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, Alexa, Meyer lemons would be delicious in this. We will send the labels your way!
Jackie malaugh says
I have made the lemon curd so easy could i please have labels
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jackie!
Diane Cook says
This is amazing. Very easy and delicious! I would love to have the label in a PDF file. Thank you!
Five Stars for this one!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Diane! Sending the labels your way.
Cindy Hartling says
I would love the labels link!. The jars are all beautiful!. Can't wait to make this!. Thank you!
Cindy
Jane Keutzer says
Where do you get your sweet jars?
This lemon curd recipe is delicious!!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Jane, the jars are a brand called Weck, sometimes I find them on Amazon or order directly from their website-
https://amzn.to/3ALpAji
https://weckjars.com/product/902-deco-jar/
Glad you enjoyed the lemon curd!
Jane says
I did order the cute little Weck jars, and now would like to have the label pdf. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jane!
Chris Scheuer says
Just tried to send the labels, but they were returned, Jane. Could there be a typo in your email address?
Krissy says
I would love the labels!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Krissy!
Jean morgan says
May I get the labels please ? Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jean!
Bettyls says
I am so glad to have found your site! Will definitely be making the curd.
I would love having the label. Thanks so much.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Betty! Enjoy!
Debbie says
Microwave Lemon curd recipe please
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Debbie, the lemon curd recipe is at the end of the post.
Carmen says
I will be making your lemon curd and give for gifts. Please send me the template for the labels.
Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Carmen!
Flavia says
May I please get the label tamplets? Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Flavia!