This microwave lemon curd recipe is the quickest and easiest way to make rich, silky smooth homemade lemon curd in less than 10 minutes. Made with just a handful of everyday ingredients, it's bursting with fresh lemon flavour and has the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
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Quick Summary - Microwave Lemon Curd
The lemon curd thickens beautifully as it cools, making it ideal for everything from afternoon tea treats to homemade gifts.
- Beth (Effortless Foodie)
🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes
👪 Serves: 20 servings
🍽 Calories: 90
🥣 Main Ingredients: Caster sugar, lemons, eggs, butter
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian
👌 Difficulty: Easy
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Unlike traditional stovetop methods, this foolproof microwave version doesn't require a double boiler or constant stirring over the hob.
Simply whisk the ingredients together, cook in short bursts, and you'll have a glossy lemon curd that's perfect for spreading on toast, scones, bagels, muffins, French toast, cakes, pancakes, and I even use it in desserts (like my no bake lemon curd tarts, lemon curd loaf cake and microwave lemon sponge pudding).
Have tried a few Microwave Lemon Curd recipes but this one is the only one that worked! And it tastes delicious. Thank You. Will be making this again very soon.
- SU
Jump to:
- Quick Summary - Microwave Lemon Curd
- What is Lemon Curd?
- ✔️ Why you'll love this microwave lemon curd!
- 🥘 Key Ingredients
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- 📖 Variations
- 🔪 How to make lemon curd in the microwave
- Top Tips
- 🍴 Serving suggestions
- Storage
- ❓ Microwave Lemon Curd FAQs
- Troubleshooting Guide
- 😋Related recipes
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
What is Lemon Curd?
Lemon curd is a thick, creamy, and tangy spread that is made from lemon juice, sugar, butter, and eggs. The mixture is traditionally cooked over low heat until thickened and then strained to remove any lumps or pieces of egg.
Lemon curd has a bright yellow colour and a smooth texture that makes it perfect for spreading or using as a filling for cakes and tarts. It has a distinct citrus flavour that is both sweet and sour, making it a popular ingredient in many desserts and baked goods.
✔️ Why you'll love this microwave lemon curd!
- Quick and easy - This homemade microwave lemon curd is ready in under 10 minutes, making it much faster than the traditional stovetop method.
- No special equipment needed - Forget the double boiler! All you need is a microwave-safe bowl, a whisk, and your microwave.
- Made with simple ingredients - Fresh lemons, eggs, sugar and butter are all you need to make a rich, silky lemon curd from scratch.
🥘 Key Ingredients
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Lemons - freshly squeezed lemon juice is the star ingredient in lemon curd, providing its fresh, tangy flavour. Choose lemons that are firm, smooth-skinned, and heavy for their size, as these tend to be the juiciest.
- Eggs - lemon curd made on the hob usually only requires yolks, but this microwave version needs the whole egg.
- Sugar - caster sugar dissolves easily and creates a smooth texture. Granulated sugar can also be used, but may take longer to dissolve.
- Butter - unsalted butter is added to the lemon curd mixture to give it a rich, creamy flavor and texture. It's important to use unsalted butter to avoid over-salting the curd.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Have an allergy or dietary preference? Let AI customise the recipe for you.
📖 Variations
Try making orange or lime curd using the same recipe but swapping the lemons for oranges or limes!
🔪 How to make lemon curd in the microwave
One: Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large microwaveable bowl until pale.
Two: Stir in the melted butter (cooled), lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
Three: Microwave on full power in 1-minute increments, whisking each time. You want the lemon curd to coat the back of a metal spoon - then you know it's done. It took just 3 minutes for my lemon curd to come together but the exact time it will take you will depend on the wattage of your microwave.
Four: Decant into a sterilised glass jar and store it in your fridge.
Top Tips
- Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the brightest flavour. Avoid bottled lemon juice, which can taste bitter or artificial.
- Finely zest the lemons: Use unwaxed lemons and a Microplane to create fine zest that melts into the curd for maximum citrus flavour.
- Bring the eggs to room temperature: This helps the mixture cook evenly and reduces the risk of curdling.
- Cool the butter slightly: Let the melted butter cool before whisking it in to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Whisk after each microwave burst: Stirring every minute ensures even cooking and a smooth, lump-free curd.
- Don't panic if it looks thin: The curd will continue to thicken as it cools in the fridge.
- Strain if needed: Pass the finished curd through a fine sieve to remove any small pieces of cooked egg or zest for an extra-smooth finish.
- Store in sterilised jars: This helps keep your homemade lemon curd fresh for longer.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Lemon curd is so versatile, here are some ways to use it!
- Serve it on French toast, bagels, teacakes, and scones.
- Stir it through Greek yogurt for an easy dessert.
- Drizzle it on buttermilk pancakes for a weekend breakfast treat.
- Use it in cakes, muffins, trifles, lemon bars, and mini tartlets.
- Make lemon curd ice-cream or lemon buttercream.
Storage
Store - the homemade lemon curd will keep in airtight sterilised jars in the fridge for up to 14 days.
Freeze - the curd can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge overnight before serving.
❓ Microwave Lemon Curd FAQs
The lemon curd may seem like it is a bit thin after the first few 1 minute bursts in the microwave, but persevere and it will thicken up. Remember it continues to thicken on cooling too, so factor that in.
The lemon curd should be glossy and syrup-like and coat the back of a wooden spoon.
Once in jars, place pieces of cling film (plastic wrap) on top of the curd to prevent a skin from forming.
Wash your jars (and lids) in hot soapy water, but do not dry them. Leave them to stand upside down on a roasting tray while they're still wet. Pop the tray of clean, wet jars and lids into a preheated oven at 160-180ºC for about 10 mins.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavour.
Troubleshooting Guide
My lemon curd is too runny - Don't worry - lemon curd thickens considerably as it cools. If it's still too runny after cooling, microwave it in 30-second bursts, whisking well after each one, until it coats the back of a spoon.
My lemon curd is too thick - If you've overcooked the curd slightly, whisk in 1-2 teaspoons of warm lemon juice until it reaches your desired consistency.
My lemon curd has bits of cooked egg - This can happen if the mixture gets too hot or isn't whisked between microwave bursts. Simply strain the warm curd through a fine sieve before transferring it to a jar.
My lemon curd is lumpy - Lumps are usually caused by uneven cooking. Whisk the curd thoroughly or strain it through a fine sieve for a silky smooth texture.
My lemon curd tastes bitter - Bitterness is often caused by zesting too much of the white pith or using bottled lemon juice. For the freshest flavour, use unwaxed lemons and grate only the yellow zest.
A skin has formed on top - This is perfectly normal as the curd cools. To prevent it, press a piece of baking parchment or cling film directly onto the surface until completely chilled.
😋Related recipes
Love lemons? Here are some more delicious lemon recipes to try!
- Lemon and Blackberry Muffins
- Lemon Curd Loaf Cake
- Lemon Biscuits
- No Bake Lemon Tarts
- Lemon Bars
- Microwave Lemon Sponge Pudding
Tried it? Let me know what you think and rate it ⭐️ below. Tag me @effortlessf00d-I'd love to see! Don't forget to subscribe for more recipes.
Recipe
Easy Microwave Lemon Curd Recipe
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Ingredients
- 200 g Caster Sugar
- 3 Eggs large
- 200 ml Lemon Juice about 4 large lemons
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest very finely grated
- 110 g Unsalted Butter melted and cooled
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large microwaveable bowl until pale and fluffy.200 g Caster Sugar, 3 Eggs
- Stir in the melted butter (cooled), lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk to combine thoroughly.200 ml Lemon Juice, 110 g Unsalted Butter, 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- Microwave in 1-minute bursts, whisking each time. You want the lemon curd to coat the back of a spoon - then you know it's done. It took just 3 minutes for my lemon curd to come together but the exact time it takes you will depend on the wattage of your microwave.
- Decant into sterilised jars and store in the fridge.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated zest give the best flavour.
- Whisk well: Stir thoroughly after each microwave burst to ensure even cooking and prevent lumps.
- Don't overcook: The curd should coat the back of a spoon but will continue to thicken as it cools.
- For an extra-smooth finish: Strain the warm curd through a fine sieve before transferring it to jars.
- Storage: Keep refrigerated in a sterilised jar for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Microwave timings: Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave's wattage, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
Jeanette Gunter says
Have just made it, so good, so much quicker and easier than making it on the gas oven, many thanks.
SU says
Have tried a few Microwave Lemon Curd recipes but this one is the only one that worked! And it tastes delicious. Thank You. Will be making this again very soon.
Beth Sachs says
Hi Sue. So glad you liked the recipe!
Jo Keohane says
What a great idea! Love this. Will definitely be trying, lemon curd is so popular in our house. Thanks for posting!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
Love how quick and easy this is!
Carrie Carvalho says
I LOVE lemon curd but never thought to make it myself. Such a straightforward and easy recipe, I'll be making it all the time now!
Kate says
Oh my, I would NEVER have thought of making curd in the microwave, what a brilliant idea. Can't tell the difference!
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Oh my goodness. I had no idea you could make lemon curd in the microwave, That's genius!
Choclette says
Ooh this looks so good. I love homemade fruit curds. Haven't made lemon for years, but now I really want to.
Lesley says
I'm a huge fan of lemon curd, and love that your recipe is make in super fast time - only 5 minutes!
Beth says
I love this recipe! It's so much quicker than making it on the stove. Such a big hit here! I'll definitely keep this recipe on hand!
Liz says
I had no idea this could be made in the microwave! Such a perfect summer dessert!
Jess says
I love anything lemon! The fact that this is made in less than 5 minutes is AMAZING!
Amanda Dixon says
I had no idea you could make lemon curd in the microwave, and it still looks so decadent and creamy. Will definitely make this throughout the summer!
Traci says
I love how quick and easy this is! Now there's no excuse to not make lemon curd any time of the day. Thanks for sharing 🙂