Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

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By: Oriana Romero/Published: /58 Comments

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This Easy Eggless Lemon Curd is tangy, sweet, bright, and delicious! You need a few simple ingredients and it comes together on the stove in 10 minutes! Recipe includes step-by-step photos and lots of tips.

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Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (4)

This Easy Eggless Lemon Curd is pure heaven! it’s amazing on and in everything and if you haven’t had the homemade stuff you’re missing out.

Simply sweet lemon sunshine on a spoon!

Table of Contents hide

1.Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe Highlights

2.What Is Lemon Curd?

4.Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial

6.Frequently Asked Questions

7.Store

8.Uses For Eggless Lemon Curd

9.More Egg-Free Lemon Recipes You’ll Love!

10.Easy Eggless Lemon Curd

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe Highlights

  • Homemade eggless lemon curd is 10x better and tastier than store-bought.
  • It’s irresistibly creamy, tangy, sweet, and bright!
  • Surprisingly simple to make.
  • You need only 6 ingredients: lemons, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and butter.
  • It comes together on the stove in 10 minutes.

What Is Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd is a dessert spread and topping made with fresh lemons. It’s buttery and sweet with an intense tart lemon flavor– like a creamy lemon jam. The traditional version is made with eggs but my Eggless Lemon Curd version is made from simple ingredients and comes together quickly on the stove.

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Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions(scroll down).

You need just a few ingredients for this eggless lemon curd recipe:

  • Sugar: Regular white granulated sugar, also known as caster sugar.
  • Cornstarch: This will make this egg-free lemon curd creamy and smooth.
  • Salt: I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
  • Milk: Forbaking, I like to use whole milk. However, you can use any milk you have handy.
  • Fresh Lemons: Yoo’ll need the juice and the zest.
  • Yellow soft paste food color (optional).
  • Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter handy, you can use it. In this case, skip the salt called in the recipe.
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Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions(scroll down).

1 – Zest the lemons and juice the lemons.

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2 – Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small saucepan.

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (8)
Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (9)

3 – Add milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest; mix to combine.

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4 – Heat on low, while stirring constantly with a wire whisk until the mixture thickens, just starts to bubble, and coats the back of a wooden spoon.

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5 – Remove pot from heat, then add the cubed butter and mix until melted.

6 – Pour the lemon curd into a heatproof bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the top of the curd to avoid skin from forming on top, and refrigerate until cold.

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Tips To Make Lemon Curd Without Eggs

  • Do not use bottled lemon juice. Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  • You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter. Simply omit the pinch of salt called in the recipe.
  • Keep the heat low! And don’t stop whisking until it’s off heat.
  • You’ll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens and coats the back of a spoon. You can also use a thermometer to see when it reaches 160 degrees F.
  • I don’t strain the eggless lemon curd. However, feel free to run the finished lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve if you want a silky-smooth finish.
Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (13)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it keep?

Eggless lemon curd will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 – 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months. If freezing, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Can I use limes instead of lemons?

You can definitely swap the lemons for limes to make this into lime curd. No other changes are needed.

Is this very sweet or more acidic?

it’s both sweet and tangy.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can make double batches of this egg-free lemon curd, and the cooking time should be about the same.

Is there any way I could use this recipe as an orange curd?

You can definitely make orange curd with this recipe. I recommend using at least *some* lemon juice with the orange juice.

Can I preserve this lemon curd with a water bath?

I haven’t tried preserving eggless lemon curd that way so I am unsure of the results, but let me know if you try anything!

Why my lemon curd isn’t thickening up?

You may have needed to cook it longer. Also, keep in mind the curd will thicken as it cools.

Store

Eggless lemon curd will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 – 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months. If freezing, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (14)

Uses For Eggless Lemon Curd

There are so many ways to enjoy lemon curd. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Lemon curd is amazing as a cake or cupcake filling.
  • You can beat it into whipped cream.
  • Use as a filling for crepes.
  • Use as a topping for pound cake.
  • Spread on homemade scones, biscuits, toast, or croissants.
  • Stir in yogurt, cottage cheese, or spoon on ice cream.
  • Eat it by the spoonful!
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More Egg-Free Lemon Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Best Eggless Lemon Pound Cake
  • Eggless Lemon Blueberry Cake
  • Easy Eggless Lemon Bars
  • Eggless Lemon Cake
  • Easy Eggless Blueberry Scones
  • Easy Eggless Key Lime Pie
  • more recipes…

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Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (16)

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (17)Oriana Romero

This Easy Eggless Lemon Curd is tangy, sweet, bright, and delicious! You need a few simple ingredients and it comes together on the stove in 10 minutes!

4.85 from 101 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 24 servings (1 serving = 2 tablespoons) Total: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (20 g) cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 -2 drops yellow soft gel paste food color (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Zest the lemons. Juice the lemons until you have about half a cup of lemon juice. Don't forget to remove out the seeds.

  • Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small saucepan.

  • Add milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest; mix to combine.

  • Heat on low heat, while constantly stirring with a wire whisk until the mixture thickens, starts to bubble, and coats the back of a wooden spoon. NOTE: If the curd isn’t thickening, turn up the heat and constantly whisk.

  • Remove pot from heat, then add the cubed butter and mix until melted. If desired, add 1 -2 drops of yellow gel food coloring to intensify the color. I added two drops of this yellow soft gel paste food color.

  • Pour the lemon curd into a heatproof bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the top of the curd to avoid a skin from forming on top, and refrigerate until cold. The curd will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cool, the plastic wrap can be removed.

Oriana’s Notes

Extra Tips:

  • Do not use bottled lemon juice. Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  • You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter. Simply omit the pinch of salt called in the recipe.
  • Keep the heat low! And don’t stop whisking until it’s off heat.
  • You’ll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens and coats the back of a spoon. You can also use a thermometer to see when it reaches 160 degrees F.
  • I don’t strain the eggless lemon curd. However, feel free to run the finished lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve if you want a silky-smooth finish.

Store: Lemon curd will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 – 2 weeks.

Freeze: freeze for up to three months. If freezing, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

If you’re making this recipe, please read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, variations, frequently asked questions, and step-by-step photos.

★Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate, and it can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 9g

Rate This Recipe

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Course Condiments Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 51

Keyword curd dessert eggfree Eggless lemon

Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions abouteggless baking.

FAQs

Originally posted in August 2020, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in March 2022.

Welcome to my eggless kitchen!

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (18)Thanks for stopping by! I’m Oriana, a wife, mom to three wonderful kids, and a passionate baker and cooker of all eggless things delicious. My goal is to give you the confidence and knowledge to cook and bake without eggs while providing quality recipes that your whole family will love. I’m really happy that you’re here, so take a seat and have fun exploring! Read More…

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for lemon curd? ›

If you don't want to use lemon curd then we would suggest using an alternative flavour of fruit curd. We have seen passionfruit, rhubarb and tart orange (or Seville orange) curds being sold online in the UK. All of these flavours would go well with summer berries.

What is the best way to thicken lemon curd? ›

More times than not the, curd just needs to be cooked longer in order for the egg proteins to set. If your curd has been cooked to 170 degrees and it still hasn't thickened, then make a slurry by whisking 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

Why did my lemon curd not set? ›

If your lemon curd hasn't thickened, it may not have been heated enough. It can take up to 30 minutes of constant stirring to cook lemon curd, especially if it's a large batch. Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken.

How long does lemon curd last? ›

Store the curd: Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

Can lemon turn milk into curd? ›

So when lemon juice which contains citric acid is added to milk, the positive hydrogen gets attracted towards the negative micelles and they are neutralized. Thus, all the micelles will now come close together and aggregate together to form a gelatinous material called curd.

What is the best substitute for curd? ›

Buttermilk. Buttermilk can easily replace curd in several dishes. It is not as thick as curd and has an acidic note.

Can you overcook lemon curd? ›

Your lemon curd could get chunky and grainy if you let it overcook. One thing you should remember while making lemon curd is that you should never let it reach a point where it starts boiling. The ideal temperature for lemon curd is 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and it shouldn't cross that.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

If you just place all the ingredients in a saucepan without beating the butter and sugar with the eggs first, the curd tends to taste eggy. Add the lemon juice and tablespoons of lemon zest and mix.

What if my lemon curd is too sour? ›

My lemon curd is too sour.

If you measured correctly according to the instructions and still feel it is too sour, you can add about ¼ cup more sugar next time you make it.

How to tell when lemon curd is done? ›

Don't be tempted to use bottled lemon juice of any kind as it'll be far too acidic and will ruin the flavor. You'll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens in consistency and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Keep the heat low, don't turn it up to quicken the process or the eggs will scramble.

Why does my lemon curd taste like metal? ›

Why does my lemon curd taste metallic? A metallic aftertaste is usually the consequence of the lemon curd coming into contact with a metal (especially while it's hot). This could be a metal whisk, a metal bowl, a metal (or metal-coated) saucepan, or a metal sieve.

How do you make lemon curd without metallic taste? ›

Processed white, granulated sugar have the tendency to make lemon curds metallic. So, if you find that your curd have a slight metallic flavor, you can try substituting process sugar for raw sugar, like cane sugar.

Can I freeze homemade lemon curd? ›

Shelf Life: Prepared lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year without quality changes when thawed. To thaw, place container in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower for 24 hours before intended use. After thawing, consume within 4 weeks.

Why did my lemon curd turn green? ›

If your lemon curd turned green, it likely had a reaction to something metal. Avoid using a copper or aluminum pan as those will react with the lemon juice and cause the discoloration in the lemon curd, and could even cause a slightly metallic aftertaste.

What is the best store-bought lemon curd? ›

The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows. The Wilkin & Sons curd was the clear winner for its smooth and creamy texture and "real lemon flavor," but the price tag raised eyebrows.

Can you buy lemon curd at the grocery store? ›

It's kept in jars and sold in the jam aisle of the supermarket. Yet technically, lemon curd is more of a thick custard than a traditional preserve.

Can you buy lemon curd in a jar? ›

Amazon.com: Tiptree Lemon Curd, 11 Ounce Jars (Pack of 3) : Grocery & Gourmet Food.

What is the difference between lemon curd and lemon cheese? ›

Some say that Lemon curd is a little runnier and tarter than lemon cheese, while lemon cheese has a more buttery taste and consistency. Most agree though that the difference is so subtle very few would not be able to distinguish between the two.

Is lemon curd the same as lemon pudding? ›

It was also called lemon cheese. While curd resembles pudding or custard, the difference lies in the way it's thickened. Custards and puddings rely on cornstarch, milk and cream, while eggs are the primary thickener for curd, making it lighter and brighter.

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