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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.
Ridiculously Easy Microwave Lemon Curd
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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Stephanie says
I have made this lemon curd and is definitely delicious and ridiculously easy! It's a keeper. I would love to receive the PDF for the labels. Keep the deliciousness coming.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Stephanie! We will send the labels!
Bernice P says
Hi Chris. Am going to give this a try. Sounds heavenly!
Would love the labels. They are so cute. Would this curd be good for use in
lemon meringue pie? My mother made the best and I have never been able to replicate it. Also I keep seeing the tiny little jars do you remember where you bought them. I just love the size and the shape. Thanks Chris!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Bernice, it would be deliciuos but this might be a little loose for lemon meringue pie.
Regarding the jars, you can purchase them here: https://weckjars.com/product/902-deco-jar/
Bernice P says
Thanks Chris! I just ordered those adorable jars. Also thanks for the tip about using this for the pie... I would also love the labels for the lemon curd! Thank you for offering these to us.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Bernice! Enjoy!
Jeanne Wait says
I would love to get the lemon curd labels
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Jeanne!
Lorie Cummings says
Loved this recipe and how easy it is. I would love the labels as well.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Lorie! We will send the labels!
Jan says
Anxious to give this lemon curd a try. It sounds amazing and I like the idea that it is easy, too.
Would appreciate your sending the labels. Your site is a regular stop for me...
janetodie@gmail.com
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Jan! We will send the labels!
jeanette says
I would love the labels please. This recipe looks amazing. Thanks for sharing
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Jeanette! We will send the labels!
Chelsey J Thomas says
Came back to review a second time... I was trying to make a key lime cheesecake but my baby would not stop crying and tugging on me, so my distraction led to no key lime going into my cheesecake. I made your curd for Easter, so to rescue my cheesecake I made this subbing in key lime juice instead of lemon. It is amazing . I'll pour it over my cheesecake and save my cheesecake.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for letting us know, Chelsey! Key lime curd sounds delicious!
Tracey says
I would love the labels please. This Lemon curd is great!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Tracey! We will send the labels!
Sue J says
OMG amazing flavour and super easy. Would love PDF labels so I can gift this at Christmas - thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Sue! We will send the labels!
Gloria says
This sounds wonderful and I am going to make it tomorrow!
I would love to get the PDF for the labels as well.
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
nikki jay says
I love the way you described everything, making it easy to follow, Ive brought the ingredients I'm doing it all tomorrow please could you send me the lemon curd labels I've picked loads of apricots so I'm going to do apricots as well I look forward to hearing from you xx
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Nikki! We will send the labels now!
Mary Ann Smith says
This recipe is ... well. .. simply ridiculous! I made it for your Lemon curd mousse recipe. So Easy. So mouthwatering and just beautiful. It’s smooth creamy , tangy and spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing it. It will become a staple in my kitchen. Awesome!
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you so much for letting us know, Mary Ann!
Patricia Burke says
I am going to make this today. The recipe sounds lovely
Chris Scheuer says
Hope you enjoy it, Patricia!
Annie says
Love this recipe because I like to use my microwave a lot, lol, thank you for the recipe. Could you please send me the labels. Thanks
Chris Scheuer says
We will send them now, Annie!
Shayne Lane says
I would like the labels please and thank you! Recipe sounds delicious 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Shayne!
lenore goodwin says
Can't wait to try this recipe. Labels please. Thanks. Love your site and the inspiration you bless us with.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Lenore! We will send them now!
Laurie Cottrell says
I would like the labels, please!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Laurie!
Nadine Dunker says
wow so easy so good! Followed up by making the mousse and am sharing with neighbors. May I please have lemon curd labels?
Thank You, Nadine
P.S. Are your oven temps. for regular or convection ovens?
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Nadine! We will send the labels. And my oven temps are for regular ovens.
Diana says
Sounds like something I'd try. Already have made cherry and blueberry sauces.
So this one also sounds fabulous. Sending the labels would be great too !
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll love it, Diana! We will send the labels.
Bebe says
Sounds so good - but it the grated lemon zest mandatory?
Please send pdf for labels. So glad to have found your site.
Bebe
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Bebe, welcome to The Café! The lemon zest does enhance the lemon flavor but you can definitely leave it out and the curd will still be delicious!
We will be happy to send you the labels.
Carol Ernst says
I am going to make several batches today, as I have tons of egg yolks left from making an angel food cake. I, too, would appreciate the labels!
Thanks,
Chris Scheuer says
Not sure if you got them Carol, but I will send them again now.
Julie says
Hi
Love this recipe...so easy.
Please can you email me the PDF for the labels. They are very pretty.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Julie! Enjoy!
Vickie says
I can't wait to try this recipe along with your ridiculously easy biscuit recipe! I would love the labels if still available. Thanks for sharing.
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, Vickie! I hope you enjoy it!
Avis says
I have just made this lemon curd it is perfect and reminds me of my sweet mother. I would love
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Avis! We will send the labels.
Karen says
I am anxious to try this microwave lemon curd because I am one of those who make it on top of the stove. Sometimes I put off making it because of all the time it takes.
I would love to have the labels for the jars.
Thank you for sharing this easier version.
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll love this version, Karen! We will send the labels now.