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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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KATHY MILLER says
OMGosh, I love Lemon Curd and so thankful to see this RIDICULOUSLY EASY recipe. I give lemon curd as gifts sometimes, but now I can't wait to make this recipe and give it as a gift, but mostly for myself. I would love to have the labels when you have a chance. I am so thankful I have found your site as everything I have made I am impressed with. I also want to make the lemon curd mouse when the girls come over for a treat! Thank you and God bless~ Kathy
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Kathy! I'm so happy to hear that. We will send the labels.
Tracy Harding says
Hi. I 'm going to give this a go, as well as freezing some. How long are the jars of curd good for please? (Unfrozen).
Could I please have the pretty labels. Thank you. 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Tracy, we'll be happy to send you the labels.
Regarding your question, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, lemon curd will keep in an air-tight container in your fridge for up to four weeks.
Lizz says
Can this lemon curd be used as a hand pie filling?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Lizz, I don't have experience making hand pies, but I think it should be fine.
Chris says
I love this recipe could you pls send me the pdf for lemon curd! What great recipes not once have I had a recipe that I didn’t like! Thank you !
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Chris! We will send the labels.
Chris says
I love this lemon curd could you send the labels to me
Nancy Ziebach says
Can’t wait to try these!
Would love to have some labels!
Thanks so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Nancy!
Nancy Ziebach says
This is absolutely delicious and ridiculously easy!!! Thank you so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! Thank you for letting us know, Nancy!
Robyn Russell says
Really delicious and easy lemon curd. Thankyou. I would really love to receive the labels and would also love to know where you purchased those lovely little jars please.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Robyn! We will send the labels. The jars are Weck Deco Jars and you can find them here- https://weckjars.com/product/902-deco-jar/
Nancy says
Omg the lemon curd is awesome tasting and it was so easy. Could you please send the labels because I am going to make more for gifts. Thank you. Nancy McKenna
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Nancy! We will send the labels.
Ruth says
Thank youI love anything lemon and especially good as gifts. Will try this very soon. Know l will love it. Ruth
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy, Ruth!
Carolyn Wiens says
Thanks for this recipe, am planning to use it to make your Lemon Mousse for Christmas entertaining. Thanks also for sending the labels.
Merry Christmas!
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy, Carolyn!
Linda says
Love this curd recipe! Can you please send the pdf label for me to print? Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them your way, Linda!
Patricia Austin says
Merry Christmas Chris,
I have just successfully made your lemon curd recipe and it is so delicious. Thanks for sharing all your great recipes. I would appreciate you sending me some labels if you're not too busy.
Thanks so much,
Patricia
Chris Scheuer says
That's great, Patricia! We will send the labels.
Jeannette Krakes says
I love this recipe! Would you please share the labels?
Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jeannette!
Nancy Sporleder says
Want that label for curd please
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Nancy!
Amanda says
I am going to try with is mango and passion fruit. Then I will make a batch with lemon and passion fruit. Hope it works!
Chris Scheuer says
Let us know, Amanda!
Shiny says
Oh my. That was easy and the curd looks and tastes as good (or better) than the stovetop recipe I've used in the past. I think it was easier to stop before it became 'eggy' this way. This will be served with pound cake on our Thanksgiving table. Thank you!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Wonderful! Thanks, Shiny!
Paula C says
Very excellent curd! Incredibly easy…ridiculously, ha! I’ve made this with lemon, lime and grapefruit, and mainly, because the result is so yummy and the recipe is so fast. Thank you for both recipes, because I made the shortbread with the curd, often, too. I appreciate you and thank you for sharing the recipe and technique.
Chris Scheuer says
That's great to know, Paula! So glad you've enjoyed this recipe.
Marion Hannaford says
I've now made this recipe 4 times.... it's brilliant thank you.
I always made curd the old fashioned way but this is so easy and always turns out delicious I've used this method for other curds too.
Thank you again.
Marion
Chris Scheuer says
Wonderful! Thank you for letting us know, Marion!
MaryLou says
Hi there ...I can't wait to give your fabulous lemon curd at Christmas in beautiful jars! I'd love to receive the PDF for your label. Thanks so much and Onward with simple fantastic dessert ideas! You atre the best. Mary Lou
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Mary Lou! We will send the labels your way.
Sherilyn Johns says
This recipe is incredible. I have a lemon tree that just started producing lemons and this is what I made with some of the lemons I just picked. Wow is all I can say. I am bringing some for dessert at our family dinner tomorrow. There isn't much else on earth that tastes this good. Thank you, and I would love love a print out of the labels. 10 stars if I could give it that. And the microwave version saves so much time and mess and works perfectly.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you for letting us know, Sherilyn! We will send the labels.
Cooky Ellis says
Love Lemon Curd and eager to try this recipe! May I have the label .pdf, please?
Chris Scheuer says
Sending them your way, Cooky!
Samantha says
Would you please send me labels? I made mine for a tea party. Delicious! *****Thanks.
Samantha
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Samantha!
lynne puckrin says
thanks so much for the microwave lemon curd recipe,up to now i,ve made it in double blahblahbla ,but now ill never go back. I had lots of jars and lemons n even though with the eggs sugar n butter being pricey, it soo delicious ,I now have xmas gifts to give Merry Xmas
I have labels this time thanks
regards Lynne Puckrin
Chris Scheuer says
So glad you are enjoying this recipe, Lynne! We will send the labels.
Corinne says
I am the person who stands over a pot stirring like crazy the week before Christmas every year so we can have lemon curd for the holidays and for our neighbours. Can’t wait to try it in the microwave. The labels will be a nice addition. Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Corinne!
Anu Raj says
Sounds super and I will definitely try it! I normally make mine with only yolks!!? Please do send those lemony labels! Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Sending the labels your way, Anu!
Gaynor says
How long will these last please? They look so nice - thank you. Making them this week will let you know how they go.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Gaynor, I think it's best to fill the shells on the day you want to serve them. That being said, you can make the shells several days in advance as well as the lemon curd and just fill the shells before serving.
Barbara says
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Would love to have the labels. Can you also tell me where to find the adorable little jars?
Chris Scheuer says
Sending the labels your way, Barbara. And the jars are Weck deco jars- https://www.amazon.com/Weck-901-Deco-Jar-Liter/dp/B00N36URZQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VJOY3L7J4WD4&keywords=weck+deco+jars&qid=1665404963&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjgxIiwicXNhIjoiMi4xMyIsInFzcCI6IjIuMDgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=weck+dec%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-1
Fiona says
I'm off to make this now! thank you so much. I would LOVE some labels to print please.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Fiona!
Pam Porter says
My French neighbours love your lemon curd .Would love your labels to make the gift a bot more special.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Pam!
Pequignot Geneviève says
Nous adorons le lemon curd que nous employons avec maintes gateaux et surtout en Tiramisu, si rafraichissant, jamais une aussi bonne recette et si rapide, ce qui ne gâche rien Merci pour elle.
SI c'est possible, j'aimerais les étiquettes pour faire des cadeaux gourmands. Merci encore
Chris Scheuer says
Happy to send the labels, Pequignot!
Irene says
Love the idea of this recipe. Will try. I would love to have some labels.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Irene!