Honey lemon curd is a delightful and versatile treat that can be used in a variety of desserts. The balance of sweetness from honey and tartness from lemon creates a rich and refreshing flavor. Whether you're spreading it on toast, filling tarts, or layering in a cake, this curd is sure to impress.
While most of the ingredients for this honey lemon curd recipe are common, you may need to ensure you have fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Fresh lemons are essential for achieving that bright citrus flavor. Additionally, you might need to check your pantry for honey if you don't use it regularly.
Ingredients For Honey Lemon Curd
unsalted butter: Provides a rich and creamy base for the curd.
honey: Adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
egg yolks: Contributes to the thick and velvety texture.
eggs: Helps to set the curd and add structure.
lemon zest: Enhances the citrus flavor with aromatic oils.
lemon juice: Gives the curd its signature tartness and fresh taste.
One reader, Britney Barajas says:
This honey lemon curd recipe is a delightful blend of sweet and tangy. The smooth, creamy texture pairs perfectly with desserts or breakfast treats. It's easy to make and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend!
Key Techniques for Making Honey Lemon Curd
How to cream butter and honey: Creaming involves beating the butter and honey together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Start at a low speed to combine the ingredients, then gradually increase the speed to incorporate air and achieve a fluffy texture.
How to temper eggs: While not explicitly stated, adding eggs to a mixture that will be heated requires tempering to prevent curdling. Slowly adding the eggs while beating helps to incorporate them smoothly without cooking them prematurely.
How to zest a lemon: Use a microplane or fine grater to remove the outer yellow layer of the lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
How to cook curd: Cooking curd involves gently heating the mixture over medium-low heat while stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking or curdling. The mixture should be cooked until it thickens and becomes smooth and shiny.
How to recognize when curd is done: The curd is done when it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon and meets resistance when stirred. It should also boil briefly to ensure it is fully cooked.
How to cool curd: After cooking, the curd should be allowed to cool before using it in desserts. This helps it to set properly and achieve the desired consistency.
How To Make Honey Lemon Curd
This lemon curd is perfectly tangy and makes the perfect filling for desserts! Try our recipe with donuts, eclairs, and any of your favorite sweet treats.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 4tbspunsalted butterdiced into ½” cubes
- ⅓cuphoney
- 4large egg yolks
- 2large eggs
- 1tbsplemon zestfinely grated
- ⅔cupfresh lemon juicefrom 4 large or 8 small lemons
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, combine the cubed butter and honey.
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Starting on a low speed and working up to higher speeds, cream the mixture until fluffy.
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While beating the mixture, slowly add the egg yolks and eggs. Then, add the zest and lemon juice to the bowl and blend again.
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Pour the mixture into a medium-sized, non-reactive saucepan.
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Cook over medium-low heat while stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for 10 to 20 minutes.
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Once the mixture starts looking smooth and shiny, slowly increase the heat to medium.
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Continue cooking until the mixture has thickened and the spoon meets resistance when stirred.
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When the mixture boils, cook for 15 more seconds while stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
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Let the curd cool, pipe them into desired desserts, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 1470.26kcal
- Fat: 37.41g
- Saturated Fat: 19.50g
- Trans Fat: 0.95g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.80g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.30g
- Carbohydrates: 298.25g
- Fiber: 1.73g
- Sugar: 285.05g
- Protein: 13.83g
- Cholesterol: 615.96mg
- Sodium: 106.62mg
- Calcium: 117.68mg
- Potassium: 545.28mg
- Iron: 3.45mg
- Vitamin A: 403.89µg
- Vitamin C: 99.99mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Honey Lemon Curd Success
When cooking the lemon curd, use a double boiler setup if you're worried about the mixture curdling. Place a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. This gentle, indirect heat helps prevent the eggs from scrambling, giving you a smoother, more consistent curd.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Honey Lemon Curd
Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and set out all ingredients before starting to save time during the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Quickly cream the butter and honey using a food processor instead of a mixer.
Double the batch: Make a larger batch of honey lemon curd and store it in the fridge for future use.
Preheat the saucepan: Slightly warm the saucepan before adding the mixture to speed up the cooking process.
Strain the curd: Strain the lemon curd through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps quickly.
Substitute Ingredients For Honey Lemon Curd Recipe
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and creamy texture, making it a good dairy-free alternative.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup has a similar consistency and sweetness level, providing a comparable flavor profile.
large egg yolks - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can thicken the curd similarly to egg yolks, making it a suitable vegan alternative.
large eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Silken tofu can mimic the texture and binding properties of eggs in the curd.
lemon zest - Substitute with lime zest: Lime zest offers a similar citrusy aroma and flavor, making it a good alternative.
fresh lemon juice - Substitute with fresh lime juice: Fresh lime juice provides a comparable acidity and citrus flavor, suitable for replacing lemon juice.
Presentation Ideas for Honey Lemon Curd
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the honey lemon curd in delicate, bite-sized portions to ensure a refined and elegant presentation.
Use decoration: Garnish with a thin slice of lemon zest and a drizzle of honey to enhance visual appeal and hint at the flavors within.
Elegant plating: Use a pristine white plate to contrast the vibrant yellow of the curd, creating a visually striking presentation.
Add texture: Accompany the curd with a crisp butter cookie or a delicate pastry shell to add a textural element.
Incorporate fresh elements: Place a few fresh berries or a sprig of mint beside the curd for a burst of color and freshness.
Use precision tools: Pipe the curd using a fine-tipped piping bag for clean, precise lines and shapes.
Highlight the ingredients: Create a small, artistic smear of lemon juice reduction on the plate to emphasize the citrus component.
Balance flavors: Pair the curd with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream to balance the tartness of the lemon.
Add a touch of luxury: Finish with a sprinkle of edible gold leaf or a few candied lemon peel pieces for an opulent touch.
Serve at the right temperature: Ensure the curd is slightly chilled but not too cold, allowing the flavors to shine through while maintaining a smooth texture.
Essential Tools for Making Lemon Curd with Honey
Medium bowl: Used to combine the cubed butter and honey, and later to blend in the eggs, zest, and lemon juice.
Hand mixer: Essential for creaming the butter and honey mixture until fluffy and for blending in the eggs, zest, and lemon juice.
Rubber spatula: Ideal for stirring the mixture constantly while cooking to ensure it doesn't stick to the pan and cooks evenly.
Wooden spoon: Another option for stirring the mixture constantly while cooking, providing a different texture and feel compared to the rubber spatula.
Non-reactive saucepan: Important for cooking the mixture over medium-low heat without reacting with the acidic lemon juice, which could alter the flavor.
Zester: Necessary for obtaining the lemon zest, which adds a burst of citrus flavor to the curd.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the honey and fresh lemon juice accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the lemon zest accurately.
Stove: Required for cooking the mixture over medium-low to medium heat.
Piping bag: Useful for piping the cooled curd into desired desserts for a neat and professional presentation.
Storing and Freezing Honey Lemon Curd Properly
Once the honey lemon curd has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
If you want to keep the lemon curd for longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. To freeze, transfer the cooled curd into freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion. Label the containers with the date and contents.
When you're ready to use the frozen lemon curd, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, give it a good stir to reincorporate any separation that may have occurred during the freezing process. Use the thawed curd within a week for the best quality and flavor.
If you notice any signs of mold, discoloration, or off-odors, discard the lemon curd immediately, as it may have gone bad. Always use clean utensils when scooping out the curd to avoid introducing any bacteria that could cause spoilage.
For an extra layer of protection against freezer burn, you can place the sealed containers of lemon curd in a larger, resealable plastic bag before storing them in the freezer. This will help maintain the quality and texture of the curd during long-term storage.
How To Reheat Leftover Honey Lemon Curd
Reheat honey lemon curd in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until it reaches the desired temperature. This method ensures even heating and prevents the curd from burning or curdling.
Microwave the leftover honey lemon curd in short intervals, stirring between each interval. Use a microwave-safe container and heat in 15-second increments, stirring well after each interval, until the curd is warm throughout.
Create a double boiler by placing the honey lemon curd in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir the curd gently as it warms up, ensuring that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. This method provides gentle, even heating and prevents the curd from overheating or curdling.
If you plan to use the reheated honey lemon curd as a topping for desserts like cakes, pastries, or ice cream, you can warm it up slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop until it reaches a pourable consistency. Be careful not to overheat the curd, as it may cause it to break down or lose its smooth texture.
When reheating honey lemon curd, always use low heat and stir frequently to maintain its smooth, creamy texture. Overheating can cause the curd to curdle or separate, ruining its delicate flavor and consistency.
Interesting Fact About Honey Lemon Curd
A fun fact about this honey lemon curd recipe is that using honey instead of sugar not only adds a unique flavor but also provides natural antibacterial properties. This makes the curd a slightly healthier option compared to traditional recipes that use refined sugar.
Is Making Honey Lemon Curd at Home Cost-Effective?
This honey lemon curd recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. With basic ingredients like butter, honey, eggs, and lemon, the overall cost remains low. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $8-$10. Given the delightful flavor and versatility in various desserts, this recipe scores a solid 8 out of 10 in terms of cost-effectiveness and taste.
Is Honey Lemon Curd Healthy or Unhealthy?
The honey lemon curd recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy due to its high content of saturated fat and sugar. The main ingredients contributing to its unhealthy nature are:
- Butter: High in saturated fat, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Honey: Although a natural sweetener, honey is still high in sugar and calories, which can contribute to weight gain and other health issues when consumed in excess.
- Egg yolks: Rich in cholesterol, which can be a concern for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or high cholesterol levels.
However, the recipe does include some beneficial ingredients, such as:
- Lemon juice and zest: High in vitamin C, which supports immune function and skin health.
- Eggs: A good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of butter used or replace it with a healthier alternative, such as coconut oil or avocado.
- Swap half of the honey with a low-calorie sweetener like stevia or erythritol to decrease the overall sugar content.
- Use more egg whites and fewer egg yolks to lower the cholesterol content while still maintaining the curd's texture.
- Increase the amount of lemon juice and zest to boost the vitamin C content and add more tangy flavor without relying on sugar.
- Serve the honey lemon curd with fresh fruits, whole grain toast, or as a topping for plain Greek yogurt to incorporate more nutrients and fiber into the overall dish.
Editor's Opinion on This Honey Lemon Curd Recipe
This honey lemon curd recipe is a delightful twist on the classic, offering a natural sweetness from honey that complements the tartness of the lemon. The method ensures a smooth, velvety texture, and the use of both egg yolks and whole eggs provides a rich, creamy consistency. Cooking over medium-low heat initially prevents curdling, while the gradual increase in temperature ensures proper thickening. The final product is versatile, perfect for filling pastries or topping desserts. Overall, this recipe balances flavors beautifully and is a sophisticated addition to any culinary repertoire.
Enhance Your Honey Lemon Curd Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizers and Main Dishes to Serve with Honey Lemon Curd
Why trust this Honey Lemon Curd Recipe:
This honey lemon curd recipe is a delightful blend of butter, honey, and fresh lemon juice, creating a rich and tangy flavor. The use of egg yolks and eggs ensures a creamy texture, while the lemon zest adds a burst of freshness. Carefully crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients, this recipe is perfect for adding a zesty twist to your favorite desserts. Trust in the balance of flavors and the straightforward instructions to achieve a delicious result every time.
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