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Lemon Curd

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Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 3 Med-Lg Lemons
  • 4 Large Egg Yolks room temperature
  • ½ Cup Granulated sugar
  • 5 tbsp Unsalted butter cut, cold

Instructions

  • Zest 2 lemons into a bowl. I never really measure the amount of lemon zest but it's probably between 1-2 tbsp of zest.
  • Juice the lemons to produce 1/3 cup lemon juice and add to zest
  • Add ½ cup of granulated sugar into lemon and zest mix.
  • Set up your double boiler. I recommend using a glass bowl to avoid any metallic taste. Put a few inches of water into a saucepan, make sure the bowl will not be touching the water when the water is boiling. Turn the burner on medium and get the water to a boil.
  • Separate your egg yolks into a small bowl.
  • When the water is boiling, add your yolks to your lemons and sugar, and place the bowl over the boiling water. I reduce the heat slightly but you still want a low boil.
  • Whisk your mixture for about 12 minutes. It will be ready when the mixture has visibly thickened a little bit and if a spoon is put into the curd and you run your finger through it, a line remains.
  • Take the curd off the heat and immediately add the cold butter. You can use room temperature but I prefer cold as it helps bring the temperature of the curd down and stop the residual heat from cooking it any further.
  • Once your butter is completely melted into the curd, you can transfer it to a jar or leave it in the bowl. If you want super smooth curd, strain the curd to remove the zest as you pour it into a jar.
    Use plastic wrap and lay it directly onto the top of the curd. This will prevent any skin from forming while it sets in the refrigerator.
  • Place curd in the refridgerator for at least 4 hours to let it set up a bit. The curd will get thicker as it sets. I usually let it set overnight before I place it in the freezer. After about 4 hours you can remove the plastic wrap and use immediately.

Notes

  • Curd will last about 7-10 days in the refrigerator and at least 6 months in the freezer
  • Do not add your egg yolks to your sugar until you are ready to put on the heat. Sugar can change the structure of the eggs if it sits for too long.
  • This recipe works with both regular and Meyer lemons. Meyer lemons are slightly sweeter, so you may want to reduce the sugar slightly, but it is not necessary if you do.