Small Batch Lemon Curd Recipe

Name: Small Batch Lemon Curd Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 77 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup sugar; 3 tablespoon salted butter (, softened); 1 large egg; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon lemon zest

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Easy step-by-step instructions for making a small batch of lemon curd. Ready in minutes! It's sweet, tart, velvety smooth and completely wonderful!

A small jar of lemon curd with a knife on a dark surface with scattered lemons and a white cloth napkin

If you're a lemon lover like I am, you most likely love lemon curd. This creamy, sweet spread is my favorite topping for biscuits and scones.

Lemon curd is silky smooth, sweet, tart, and beautiful! Just look at the color - so bright and sunny!

It's a spread made from...you guessed it, lemons!

It's a delightfully rich topping or spread that's buttery and sweet and has an intense tart flavor. It's made with simple ingredients and comes together quickly on the stove.

Why I Love This Recipe

For a very long time, I resisted making homemade lemon curd. I'd pay for the overpriced jars in the grocery because making it from scratch seemed like it would be so difficult. How could something that tasted so decadent be easy to make?

Well, I'm here to tell you that lemon curd is so very easy to make and if you've never made it before, you definitely should. Once you make it, you'll never go back to store bought lemon curd again.

Ingredients

Recipe yields about ¼ cup.

sugar
butter
egg
fresh lemon juice
lemon zest

How To Make Lemon Curd

Lemon curd is made by gently cooking the ingredients together on the stove until thickened. It comes together quickly and I have a secret method to share with you that will deliver extra smooth lemon curd.

A chief complaint from those who make lemon curd is that sometimes bits of cooked and curdled egg wind up in the curd. This is a common problem, but if you follow my method your lemon curd won't have curdles.

Follow this method for making lemon curd. You will have perfect, ultra-smooth lemon curd every time.

Begin by creaming the sugar and softened butter together in a bowl with an electric mixer just as you would if you were making a cake or cookies. Mix them together until fluffy and then mix in the egg. After the egg is mixed in well, add the lemon juice and zest.
After you've mixed the ingredients together, don't worry about how the mixture looks. Trust me, as the curd cooks on the stove, it will thicken and become satiny-smooth.

lemon curd in a mixing bowl on a brown table.

Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and cook over a medium-low heat, whisking frequently until the curd is thick and the curdled appearance disappears, about 10 minutes.

A small jar of lemon curd on a dark surface next to a lemon and a white cloth napkin

Expert Tips

Follow this lemon curd recipe and mix the ingredients separately as noted in the recipe. I recommend using an electric mixer for vigorous beating.
Stir the sauce often so that it stays creamy.
Don't let the curd boil. Boiling will cause the curd to curdle. Keep the heat at a moderately low temperature.
You'll need a little patience and a watchful eye.
Lemon curd will continue to thicken as it cools

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Lemon Curd Not Thickening?

The lemon curd should thicken as it cooks on the stove. Lemon curd will continue to thicken as it cools.

How Long Does Homemade Lemon Curd Last?

Lemon curd keeps well if covered and stored in the refrigerator. It will last for 1 week. You can freeze lemon curd by storing in an airtight container.

Can Lemon Curd Be Frozen?

Yes, it can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will last for 2 months.

What Size Pot Should I Use To Make A Small Batch Of Lemon Curd?

For this lemon curd recipe, I use a 1-quart saucepan, an electric mixer, and a whisk.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

Lemon Curd Uses

You'll want to hang onto this easy lemon curd recipe because once you see how easy it is to make and how glorious homemade lemon curd tastes, you'll refer to it over and over again.

Spread lemon curd over biscuits, scones, pancakes, and rice krispies treats
Add to yogurt and cottage cheese
Spread in between cookies to make "sandwich cookies"
Fill tart shells
Make a trifle
Use as a topping for cake or meringues
Spoon over ice cream
Layer on strawberry shortcake
Spoon inside homemade toaster pastries

The possibilities are endless!

RELATED: The Best Homemade Food Gifts

Lemon curd spread over a rice krispie treat

Other Lemon Recipes

If you’ve tried this easy lemon curd recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

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