Homemade Lemon Curd

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!

When you make this Lemon Curd you'll have six egg whites to use for something. You can make small meringues or any egg dish like a frittata. If you want a fancy dessert try making Pavlova or Angel Food Cake.

The terms lemon curd and lemon butter seem to be used interchangeably and the consistency varies from recipe to recipe. Some people like to spread it on toast so the name lemon butter makes sense too.

Lemon pie filling often does not contain butter where as lemon curd does, giving it a smoothness I love.

Ingredients

I always know I can pick up three lemons and I’ll have everything else in the kitchen to make lemon curd.

• sugar
• cornstarch
• egg yolks
• lemon juice and zest
• butter

See recipe card for exact amounts.

Instructions

3 Super Simple Gluten Free Desserts

When you're new to gluten free you need recipes that everyone wants to eat. Here are three super simple, family favourites to start your list.

• Lemon Curd
• Nutella Chocolate Mousse
• Baked Apples with or without caramel sauce

You can learn to make variations of each of these to expand your dessert list and I’ve got ideas below for desserts made with lemon curd.

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.

5 Ways to Serve Lemon Curd or Lemon Butter

1. Spread on toast, scones or crepes.
2. On top of waffles or pancakes.
3. As a thick layer on top of warm oatmeal.
4. Poured over fresh berries.
5. With a spoon right out of the pot (self-serve option).

10 Desserts to Make with Lemon Curd

1. Angel Food Cake filled with lemon curd and decorated as you wish.
2. Lemon Curd Pavlova made with the extra egg whites from making this curd.
3. Shot glasses or liqueur glasses filled with lemon curd and topped with a tiny meringue cookie.
4. Lemon Mousse: Fold whipped cream into lemon curd (with or without gelatine).
5. Tiny tartlets made with tart pastry or shredded coconut.
6. Lemon Meringue Pie
7. Citrus Cupcakes filled with lemon curd and finished with lemon icing.
8. Chocolate Layer Cake with lemon filling.
9. A Lemon Crepe Cake.
10. Martini glasses of fresh berries topped with lemon curd.

If you have a friend who loves lemon you could even give this as a hostess gift. Fill a pretty glass jar with lemon curd, wrap in cellophane and add a handwritten tag. Give generously.

Naturally Gluten Free Dessert List

Everyone needs a few good lists taped to the inside of a cupboard door in the kitchen. This list will remind you of all the delicious desserts you can make that are naturally gluten free. There are many more but this is a good start.

• Lemon Curd
• Mousse: Nutella Chocolate Mousse, White Chocolate Mousse, Frozen Pumpkin Mousse
• Baked Apples with or without caramel sauce
• Creme Brulee: Classic, Pumpkin or any flavour you can think of
• Pavlova or meringue desserts
• Ice Cream and frozen desserts: Affogato, Lemon Kulfi, Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, Coconut Ice Cream (dairy free), Aztec Chocolate Ice Cream and Pumpkin Ice Cream
• Quinoa Chocolate Cake made with cooked quinoa (no flour)
• Flambéed Thai Bananas (with ice cream of course)

Once you make your own list share it with friends and family who would love to have a list to refer to for the next time the gluten free people are coming over.

Let me know if the comments below if you think you need a more extensive dessert list and I’ll make one.

Homemade Lemon Curd (Lemon Butter)

Lemon curd can be as simple as serving it while standing at the kitchen counter or as decadent as you can imagine in any fancy dessert.

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Course: Dessert, Snacks & Treats

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Homemade Lemon Curd

Servings: 3 cups

Author: Cinde Little

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

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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

Lemon curd will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks but that's never happened at my house.