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.

Easy Eggless Lemon Curd Recipe (5)

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.

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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 substitute for eggs in curd? ›

Condensed Milk

It works well as an egg substitute. ¼ cup of condensed milk can replace one egg perfectly! Since it sweetened, just remember to adjust the quantity of sugar. It is best used in recipes like cakes and fillings like lemon curd.

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.

Does lemon curd contain egg? ›

Lemon curd is a very intense and sour filling made of mostly lemons, sugar, egg yolks, and butter. It is perfect for desserts that require a strong acid component to offset sweetness. Like lemon meringue tarts! It's different from lemon filling, which you often find in lemon meringue pies.

Why didn't my lemon curd get thick? ›

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.

What can I use as a substitute if I don't have an egg? ›

WHAT TO USE INSTEAD OF EGGS WHEN BAKING
  • MASHED BANANA. ...
  • APPLESAUCE. ...
  • SILKEN TOFU. ...
  • GROUND FLAXSEED OR CHIA SEEDS & WATER. ...
  • YOGURT. ...
  • BUTTERMILK. ...
  • SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK. ...
  • ARROWROOT POWDER OR CORNSTARCH.

What can I substitute for no eggs? ›

Egg replacers
  1. Vinegar & baking soda. Replace 1 egg with: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar. ...
  2. Unsweetened applesauce. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup applesauce. ...
  3. Plain or vanilla soy yogurt. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup yogurt. ...
  4. Silken tofu. ...
  5. Ripe banana. ...
  6. Ground flaxseed.

Is canned lemon pie filling the same as lemon curd? ›

While they both have a lemony flavor, they are not interchangeable due to their different textures and consistencies. Lemon curd is best used as a spread or filling for cakes, tarts, or scones, while lemon pie filling is specifically formulated for use in pies.

Why did my lemon curd curdle? ›

The most common reason why your homemade lemon curd split is cooking the curd on too high temperature. Because lemon curd is an egg yolk based "sauce," it requires gently cooking so that the egg doesn't become scrambled.

Why does my lemon curd taste eggy? ›

Make sure you don't let the curd come to a boil at any point, and don't stop stirring at any point either, because that will lead to the eggs curdling, and the curd will taste like scrambled eggs.

How long does homemade lemon curd last in the fridge? ›

The flavor also mellows a bit as it refrigerates. It's quite sour at this point but it gets creamier as it refrigerates. You can refrigerate the lemon curd for 1-2 weeks, OR freeze it for a few months.

What happens when you mix lemon and egg? ›

The albumin, or protein structure inside an egg, reacts with acid from the lemon juice to create a sturdier inner structure that holds air bubbles. As the eggs cook, the air bubbles cause them to become lighter and fluffier.

Why does my lemon curd taste weird? ›

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.

Does homemade lemon curd need to be refrigerated? ›

The same thing applies to lemon curd. If left out on the counter for days it will mold quickly. However when stored in the fridge it will last 1 – 2 weeks. If using lemon curd or any fruit curd in a dish that is baked, the curd will thicken to an almost gel like substance.

Can I reheat lemon curd to thicken it? ›

Lemon Curd will thicken once it's cooled and refrigerated. It can be difficult to reheat but I have done it successfully by placing it in a small saucepan and reheating over the lowest heat and by stirring gently.

What can I substitute for eggs in quiche? ›

An alternative to JUST Egg is tofu, used in vegan quiches. Use tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes. Yellow, white onion, or green onions substitute for red onion.

What is a good protein substitute for eggs? ›

Foods With More Protein Than an Egg
  • Chickpeas. 1/10. With about 6 grams of protein apiece, eggs are an excellent source of this vital nutrient. ...
  • Cottage Cheese. 2/10. ...
  • Almond Butter. 3/10. ...
  • Cheddar Cheese. 4/10. ...
  • Lentils. 5/10. ...
  • Pumpkin Seeds. 6/10. ...
  • Shrimp. 7/10. ...
  • Quinoa. 8/10.
Apr 24, 2022

Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs? ›

Mayonnaise. If you have a jar of mayo in the fridge, you can use 3 tablespoons in place of one egg. "Mayonnaise has been used as an egg substitute because of its moistening properties and is best suited for cakes with strong flavors, like spice cakes and chocolate cakes," Tutunjian says.

How much coconut milk to replace 1 egg? ›

Egg Substitutes for Leavening

Coconut milk + baking powder – Add 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons canned coconut milk (NOT light) and 1 teaspoon baking powder to your recipe.

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