Yolks Only Lemon Curd
Yolks Only Lemon Curd! I think you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make this versatile recipe. When it’s time to use up those extra egg yolks, this is what you’ll want to make!
Lemon curd is one of my favorite go-to ingredients for a wide variety of desserts.
Lemon and other fruit curds are great as a cupcake, tart or pie filling. They can be used as a filling for shortbread or to sandwich French Macarons. Lemon curd is traditional on a scone with clotted cream and is insanely decadent warmed up and poured over ice-cream.
Tips for making and storing Yolks Only Lemon Curd:
- You can use this recipe to make Meyer Lemon Curd. Meyer lemons usually have more juice so make sure to measure the juice.
- Always combine the sugar with the yolks before adding the lemon juice. If you add the juice to yolks without the sugar, the acidic juice will “cook” the yolks.
- The zest has lemon oil which adds a full lemon flavor. After cooking the zest can be strained out since it has already added the flavor.
- It’s not necessary to cook the curd on a double boiler. You can cook the curd directly on the stove as long as you keep the heat on medium-low and stir constantly to avoid burning.
- When the curd is ready it should coat the spatula or spoon.
- The curd will keep for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator and can be frozen for several months.
- The recipe can be adapted for other citrus fruits. See the notes section of the recipe card.
Try these other fruit Curd recipes:
Still got extra yolks? Check out this collection of recipes that use extra yolks for some more great ideas.
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Yolks Only Lemon Curd Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz granulated sugar (1 ½ cups)
- 6 egg yolks
- 4 oz lemon juice (½ cup (3-4 lemons))
- Finely grated zest from all the lemons
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 oz unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Thoroughly whisk together the sugar and egg yolks in a medium saucepan. Add the lemon juice, zest and salt.12 oz granulated sugar, 6 egg yolks, 4 oz lemon juice, Finely grated zest from all the lemons, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Place the butter in a heat proof bowl. Put a fine mesh sieve over the bowl and keep it near the stove.2 oz unsalted butter
- Heat the yolk/juice mixture over medium low heat, stirring constantly. You must be sure to keep stirring across the entire bottom and corners of the pot so the custard does not have a chance to stick. The mixture will start out opaque with a fine white foam over the surface. As it heats up the curd will thicken, become more translucent and the foam will disappear.
- Cook until the curd will coat the back of a wooden spoon and just begins to boil. Don't allow it to come to a rolling boil. One or two bubbles is all you need to see.
- Immediately remove from the heat and pour through the sieve over the butter.
- Stir until the butter is melted and thoroughly incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and cool a bit before putting in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate until completely cooled.
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Notes
Meyer Lemon, Lime, Orange, Blood Orange, Pink Grapefruit,
- 1/2 cup of juice (about 2-3 meyer lemons, 3-4 limes, 2-3 oranges, 1 grapefruit)
- 1 1/4 cup (10 oz) granulated sugar
- Zest from the fruits
Can this be frozen? Making lemon tarts for Christmas but that’s still a few weeks away
Yes. I freeze left over curd all the time.
I can’t believe I made this so easily with such success. Texture is velvety smooth. Consistency is right on. Instructions made it clear what to do when. I will try less sugar next time like the one reviewer as it’s a bit sweet for me.
Thank you for this!
Ah-mazing! I made 2 pavlovas and was looking for a lemon curd recipe – so much less challenging than stirring over a double boiler!
I doubled the recipe and am looking forward to serving up tomorrow!
Thankyou++
Oh dear..
What did I do wrong ?
I made the lemon curd, exactly as per instructions until small bubbles appeared on the surface. I then, as instructed, incorporated the butter, but it looks exactly like custard. It did not become translucent, not did any foam appear on the surface ?? Can someone advise PLEASE ?
I think you didn’t cook the curd long enough and jumped the gun on adding the butter. The instructions read “The mixture will start out opaque with a fine white foam over the surface. As it heats up the curd will thicken, become more translucent and the foam will disappear. Cook until the curd will coat the back of a wooden spoon and just begins to boil. Don’t allow it to come to a rolling boil. One or two bubbles is all you need to see. Immediately remove from the heat and pour through the sieve over the butter.”
@Liz Heap, I always cook the lemon curd with the butter from the beginning not pouring it over later. My lemon curd always turns out perfect! I like knowing that all ingredients have reached bubbling point before putting into jars.
@Liz Heap,
I think you didn’t cook long enough, there were bubbles at the beginning but those weren’t boiling bubbles, next time let it cook just a little longer.
Excellent recipe! I cut it down since I only had 2 egg yolks I needed to use, and it still worked very nicely!
@Suzanne Mendez,
I was just going to ask that very question! I only have two yolks, as well.
Thank you! Now I know I can go ahead and use them up!
Cindy