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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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Linda Wheatley says
This is my go-to recipe for lemon curd. Thank you! Please send me the labels.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Linda!
Annette McLoughlin says
This Lemon Curd recipe looks SO easy and from the comments sent, very successful. As soon as I can get my ingredients together I am definitely going to make it. In the meantime, I would appreciate receiving the PDF for a set of your Free Printable labels by email. Many thanks for a great recipe !
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Annette!
Katie says
So excited to make. Can you send me the labels please? Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Katie!
Holly says
Ridiculously easy AND ridiculously delicious! This recipe is a keeper and I will be making it many more times!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Yay! Thank you, Holly!
Suzanne Flynn says
I’ve made this recipe now for the 2nd time, and I’m amazed at how easy and delicious it is. I would love to have the pdf to make labels because I’m definitely going to give this as gifts to my friends and family. Thanks.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Suzanne! We will send the labels.
Patti Rowe says
I am going to make this recipe this week and would love to have the labels.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Patti!
Liz says
I would love the label pdf please. Also if you have jar recommendations, would love that too. Can’t wait to make this! 💛 thx so much.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Liz, these are the jars pictured- https://weckjars.com/product/902-deco-jar/ and we will send the labels your way.
Pattie Fisher says
I would love to make and give as gifts. May I have the PDF for labels. Thank you
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Pattie!
susan says
I LOVE LEMON CURD!!! I bought a brand that I can no longer find in stores as it's an Irish made. I've been in the dumps knowing that I can't buy it now. BUT THANKS TO YOU, MY DEAREST FRIEND, I NOW HAVE A RECIPE AND A WAY TO INDULGE MY ADDICTION!!
Thanks so very much for knowing these things! And I will make some of the recipes with my new found favorite recipe soon!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Susan!
Angela says
I have tried numerous recipes from your website, all with great success, and this was no exception. I had some egg yolks I wanted to put to good use and this did the trick. Yes, I used yolks only (there were six or eight...I know for sure I had half a cup) and the results were perfect. Thank you so much! And please pass along the label pdf 😍 Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Angela! We will send the labels your way.
Pamela payne says
Oh my....this recipe is unbelievable easy and so delicious !!!
Took me (4) 45 seconds in microwave .
Makes me want to order some of those cute little jars & give away.
Definitely going to keep lemons on hand....
This would be so good on gingerbread .
(Please send labels)
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Pamela! We will send the labels your way.
Karen Lawson says
I love lemon curd so much that I use it on so many things, including pancakes, and just mixing it into ricotta for a quick dessert.
Would love these pretty labels, please send a pdf!
Thanks so much.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Karen! We will send the labels.
Donna Black says
I am anxious to make this recipe for my husband and me. There are just the two of us. Is it possible to cook half a recipe, or should I just freeze half? Also, I would love to have your labels. Please and thank you.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Hi Donna, you could make half a batch, but that would require half an egg which is kind of a pain. You can definitely freeze it or give some to a friend 🙂
Debbie Muller says
Please send the Lemon curd labels.
Love your site and recipes!
Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Thanks, Debbie! Sending them your way.
Lois Grondal says
Oh I’ve just discovered the lemon curd recipe doing it in a microwave . Got lemon tree going to make some this afternoon . Love cooking . Nothing like homemade things hey?!
Could I please ask if you could kindly send me some of those adorable lemon curd labels please? They are gorgeous!!!!
Looking forward to making homemade lemon curd.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
We are happy to send the labels, Lois!
Sandi Anderson says
Delicious! I am planning to give as gifts to guests attending a baby shower. Please send the PDF of the label- so cute!
Have a blessed Easter. Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Great idea, Sandi! We will send the labels your way.
Terri says
5 stars ⭐️! Seriously the easiest curd I have ever made. I tripled the recipe which added a few more minutes. It is smooth( I was so skeptical yet tripled it anyway 😂😂) I have a macaron business and I make curd for a friend who has a tea ministry with my leftover yolks. I would love the labels to be able to give her “ fancy” jars of lemon curd 😊 Thank you!!!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's awesome, Terri! We will send the labels your way.
Andrea Coughlin says
Another delicious recipe!! I would love the labels!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Andrea, thanks! Sending the labels your way!
Nanette says
Sounds wonderful. I’d love the label pdf.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Nanette!
Angela Harrap says
Please send me a set of printable labels. We love lemon curd so this quick recipe is a real bonus . Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Angela!
Scilla says
That recipe is magic! I can't believe that making lemon curd can be so easy having laboured for many years making it in a double boiler!
Many thanks and I would love a set of your printable labels please.
Many thanks,
Scilla
Chris Scheuer says
So happy you have enjoyed this recipe, Scilla! Just sent the labels.
Susan Perko says
Please send the Lemon curd labels. I made the tarts today and I know my friends would love the curd.
Susan Perko
tjpsmp8@gmail.com
Chris Scheuer says
Happy to send them, Susan! Enjoy!
Belinda Pena says
I love this recipe! Thank you 💓 please send me a link to print the label 🏷️
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Belinda!
Kathy Collins says
I just came across your site and would love to have the LEMON CURD LABELS.
I have a lemon tree in my backyard that is overflowing with MEYER LEMONS and making your CURD recipe will put those lemons to
excellent use.
THANKS SO MUCH !
Kathy
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
That's great, Kathy! We will send the labels!
Olive Boettcher says
I have tried some of your other recipes and love them all! I also love the scriptures you post as well as your song of inspiration!
Could I please get your labels sent my way? I'm planning on making this lemon curd today, and will make the shortbread in the little muffin tin to fill with the lemon curd for guests this weekend. Thank you so much for your posts!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
So glad to hear that, Olive! We are happy to send the labels your way.
D. Diehl says
Could you please send me the FREE PrintAble Labels. Thanks!
D. Diehl says
Sounds like a great recipe. I have always bought lemon curd in a jar. Didn't know how easy it is to make.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, D!
Linda says
I’m salivating already! Hi could you email the label? Thanks in advance.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Linda!
Shar Bannigan says
looking forward to trying this out. May I please get the label PDF
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sure, Shar!
Cheryl Lawson says
This sounds lovely! Would you please email the labels? Thank you!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Cheryl!
Jeannie Hafer says
I only have one lemon this morning but as soon as I can get to the store I'll be able to make this yummy looking lemon curd. Please send me the label pdf as I'm sure there is going to be three ladies at our next coffee get together that will be wanting some! Thanks!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Sending them your way, Jeannie!