Easy Microwave Lemon Curd in 5 Minutes!

Looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious lemon curd? Look no further than this easy microwave lemon curd recipe!

With just four simple ingredients and under five minutes of cooking time, you can have a tangy, creamy, buttery, and sweet spread that far surpasses anything you can buy in the shops.

Homemade lemon curd (or lemon cheese as my Nana called it) is utterly divine. I often find myself eating spoonfuls of it straight from the jar!

Making it using the microwave method, means you don’t have to invest in a double boiler, or worry about the eggs scrambling. It really is so easy and quick to make!

My family enjoys it on toast, scones, bagels, muffins, French toast, cakes, pancakes, and I even use it in desserts (like these no bake lemon curd tarts or microwave lemon sponge pudding)!

👩‍🍳 Why not use some homemade lemon curd in my zesty lemon curd loaf cake?

Jump to:

• What is Lemon Curd?
• ✔️ Why should you try it?
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💭 Top tips
• 🍴 Serving suggestions
• 📖 Variations
• 🥡 Storage
• ❓ FAQs
• 😋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 should you try it?

• It's quick and easy: Making lemon curd using the microwave method is so simple - it takes only a few minutes to prepare, with no complicated steps or special equipment required.
• It's versatile: It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways, from spreading it on toast or scones to using it as a filling for cakes and tarts or incorporating it into other desserts.
• It's delicious: Lemon curd has a tangy, sweet flavour that is irresistible to most people. It's also rich, creamy, and buttery, making it a delicious treat to enjoy any time of day.
• It's homemade: Making your own lemon curd means you know exactly what goes into it, and you can control the sweetness and consistency.
• It's a great gift: A jar makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family.

🥘 Ingredients

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.

🔪 Instructions

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

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 freshly squeezed lemon juice: The quality of your lemon curd will depend on the quality of the lemons you use. Bottled lemon juice is not recommended as it can have a slightly bitter or artificial taste. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavour.
• Use unwaxed lemons and a fine Microplane grater: To get the most flavour and aroma out of your lemons, try to use unwaxed lemons and use a fine Microplane grater to zest them. This will ensure that you get the maximum amount of zest without any large pieces of zest visible in your curd.
• Ensure your eggs are at room temperature: Cold eggs can cause the mixture to curdle or separate. To avoid this, let your eggs come to room temperature before starting the recipe.
• Cool your melted butter: Make sure your melted butter is cooled down before adding it to the mixture. If it's too hot, it can cause the eggs to scramble and ruin the texture of your lemon curd.
• Whisk between each 1-minute burst in the microwave: To ensure even cooking and prevent any lumps from forming, whisk the lemon curd mixture between each 1-minute burst in the microwave.
• Strain the curd if necessary: If you notice any rogue bits of scrambled egg in your lemon curd, don't worry! Simply strain it through a fine sieve before pouring it into jars.
• Store in sterilised jars: To ensure the best shelf life, store your lemon curd in sterilised jars. This will help prevent any bacteria from growing and ensure that your lemon curd stays fresh for as long as possible.

🍴 Serving suggestions

Lemon curd is so versatile, here are some ways to use lemon curd!

• 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.

📖 Variations

Try making orange or lime curd using the same recipe but swapping the lemons for oranges or limes!

🥡 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.

❓ FAQs

😋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

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Recipe

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