Ingredients
Method
- Start the Double Boiler: Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
- Dissolve the Sugar: Add the ½ cup lemon juice and ½ cup sugar to the heatproof bowl. Whisk continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved.½ cup lemon juice, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Make the Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, combine the ¼ cup water and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk until perfectly smooth with no lumps.¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Combine: Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the warm lemon mixture while whisking constantly. Continue stirring over the double boiler until fully combined. Taste the mixture here; if you prefer it sweeter, whisk in a little more sugar until dissolved.
- Thicken the Curd: Carefully remove the bowl from the double boiler and pour out the simmering water from the saucepan. Place the lemon mixture directly into the empty, hot saucepan.
- Finish: Whisk continuously over the residual heat of the pan. Within 1 to 2 minutes, the curd will thicken into a perfectly smooth and glossy consistency. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a jar and storing in the refrigerator.
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Sweetener Alternatives: You can substitute the granulated white sugar with an equal amount of honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. If using a liquid sweetener, you may need to whisk the curd over the residual heat for an extra 60 seconds to reach the desired thickness.
- Sugar-Free / Keto Option: To make this low-carb, swap the sugar for a 1:1 granulated sugar alternative like monk fruit or erythritol.
- Citrus Variations: This exact ratio works beautifully with fresh lime juice, Meyer lemon juice, passionfruit juice, or blood orange juice.
-
Juice Quality: Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice lacks the vibrant flavor needed when making an egg-free and butter-free curd. (BUT we used bottled juice here and it still worked!)Tip text
- Storage: Store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Whisk vigorously after thawing to restore the smooth, glossy texture.
