Homemade lemon curd is smooth, luscious and lemony; both sweet and tart at the same time. Gluten free cooks need treats and desserts and this is both for me. I was making this recipe long before I knew it was gluten free. The taste from real lemons trumps those yellow flecked crystals that come in a box. If you don't believe me just try it!
Don't limit yourself to serving lemon curd as dessert. Try it on toast, scones or crepes. Pour a thick layer on top of warm oatmeal and run it under the broiler like brulee. Or make it into a fancy pavlova filled with fresh fruit and lemon curd.
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Ingredients
I always know I can pick up three lemons and I’ll have everything else in the kitchen to make lemon curd. Lemon curd that is a thousand times better than the boxed lemon pie filling I made growing up.
- Sugar - It's a sweet dessert. It takes effort to remake recipes with less sugar. I often decrease my recipes by 2 tablespoons or even a quarter of a cup, but my main health strategy is to eat high sugar desserts less often.
- Cornstarch - A thickener that is a pantry staple in my kitchen.
- Egg yolks - You might as well think about what egg white recipe you'll make because you'll have egg whites leftover every time you make it.
- Lemons - I use lemon juice concentrate in many recipes but here I'm using real lemons or I'm not making it.
- Butter - Lemon curd contains butter and it makes the buttery smooth texture I love. Lemon pie filling technically would not have butter, but you can name recipes anything you want in your kitchen.
See recipe card for complete ingredient list and exact amounts.
Instructions
Store Bought vs Homemade
As a kid I made lemon pie filling out of a box. It seemed like magic watching the white powder and yellow flecks turn yellow and thicken.
I loved it but now I want to eat real food as much as possible. Yes, lemon curd is full of white sugar so keep it as a treat. I like to think it's good for my mental health.
10 Desserts to Make with Lemon Curd
- Angel Food Cake filled with lemon curd and decorated with fresh fruit or edible flowers.
- Lemon Curd Pavlova (made with the extra egg whites from making this curd).
- Poured into a pretty glass jar, wrap in cellophane and add a handwritten tag. An edible gift and you know who would love that.
- Lemon Mousse: Fold whipped cream into lemon curd (with or without gelatine).
- Tarts made with gluten free tart pastry or mini coconut tartlets.
- Lemon Meringue Pie!
- Dairy Free Citrus Cupcakes filled with lemon curd and finished with lemon icing.
- Layered Chocolate Quinoa Cake with lemon filling.
- A lemon filled gluten free Crepe Cake.
- Fold whipped cream into lemon curd to lighten it and you have lemon mousse.
Ways to Use Leftover Egg Whites
Every cook needs a few recipes in mind to use up ingredients you occasionally have when making a certain dish. When you make this Lemon Curd you'll have six leftover egg whites. Add them to whole eggs in a scramble, an egg white quiche or frittata. For dessert I'd make meringue cookies, meringues for Pavolva or Angel Food Cake.
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Homemade Lemon Curd (Lemon Butter)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- ½ cup lemon juice (from 3 large lemons)
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan combine water, sugar, cornstarch and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly.
- When the mixture turns translucent, about 5 minutes, add egg yolks, 2 at a time.
- Whisk in lemon zest, lemon juice and butter.
- Let mixture come back to a simmer then remove from heat. Pour into a bowl and cover warm curd with wax paper to prevent a skin from forming on top while it cools.
- Serve straight up or with fresh berries when you have some.
Notes
More Individually Portioned Desserts
If you like to have safe gluten free dessert at every party then become the person who takes it. Get the containers you like and have fun!
Kisal
Super refreshing and easy to make. It is definitely next on my list to make for a family gathering.
Cinde Little
Yes Kisal, it's super easy and everyone always loves it. Thanks!