Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2024)

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Key Lime Curd Recipe – tangy, rich and sweet, this key lime curd is easy to make and perfect for pancakes, toast, macarons or to just eat it with a spoon.Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (1)

Lime, key lime or lemon curd – I love them all. Honestly, I find no difference between lime and key lime curd.

But since my local grocery store always carries bags with key limes, I have the option to use these cuties instead of big old limes.

What is a curd?

Fruit curd is a dessert or topping, made usually with citrus.

Basic ingredients usually are beaten egg yolks (or eggs), sugar, fruit juice, zest and butter sometimes.

Ingredients are cooked together, until thick, usually over a double boiler.

After the curd is cooked, it is a good idea to strain it so it is extra smooth.

Curds are flavorful, soft and delicious.

I used lime curd for these Meringue Nests With Lime Curd And Cherries.

What ingredients do you need to make a key lime curd?

  • sugar
  • key lime juice
  • key lime zest
  • egg yolks
  • salt
  • butter

Should you use key limes or regular limes for this key lime curd?

If you can not find key limes, you can use regular limes instead.

We need both juice and lime zest.

Of course you can buy lime curd at the store.

But is is so easy to make it at home, too.

How to make this easy key lime curd?

Just follow these simple steps.

  1. In a heat proof bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, key lime zest, key lime juice and salt. Whisk to combine.

  2. Place bowl over a double boiler and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. It takes about 5-7 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until smooth. Place in a jar. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Why should you make citrus curd at home?

It is a lot less expensive to prepare it at home.

All you need is a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes.

I made this key lime curd as a filling for my lime macarons recipe.

Since I had some left over egg yolks, I used egg yolks in it.

If you don’t have left over egg yolks, you can use whole eggs instead.

The difference in taste, texture and flavor will be minimal for the amount of curd that this recipe makes.

Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2)

What to use this key lime curd for?

This key lime curd is just the perfect filling for lime macarons.

I’ve been obsessed with key lime flavor this summer.

You can also check out this Key Lime Pie – Lightened Up, it is the best key lime pie I’ve ever had.

Curds are also great as a cake filling.

A while back, I made this tangerine curd and used it in this Tangerine Layer Cake.

It was perfect for Christmas.

If you are not into cakes, use this key lime curd to top pancakes, crepes, waffles, toast, scones or muffins.

Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (3)

5 from 7 votes

Key Lime Curd Recipe

Key Lime Curd Recipe - tangy, rich and sweet, this key lime curd is easy to make and perfect for pancakes, toast, macarons or to just eat it with a spoon.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

  • 5 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp key lime zest
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter

Instructions

  • In a heat proof bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, key lime zest, key lime juice and salt. Whisk to combine.

  • Place bowl over a double boiler and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. It takes about 5-7 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until smooth. Place in a jar. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 183mg, Sodium: 123mg, Potassium: 39mg, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 465IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinglsl or tag #cookinglsl!

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Easy Key Lime Curd Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does lime curd last in the fridge? ›

Serve & Store: Chill in the fridge at least 3 hours or up to 1 week before using. Store in an airtight container or a mason jar. The curd will thicken as it cools. Tip: Use a bit of green food coloring to make this look more like lime – it is naturally more yellow.

How do you thicken lime curd? ›

To make a thicker curd, you can also add another egg yolk to the recipe, or a teaspoon of cornflour mixed into a tablespoon of water and cook until thickened.

What is lime curd made of? ›

Fill a saucepan with 2 inches of water and heat over medium-low heat. Combine 4 large egg yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup of lime juice, 1 Tbsp lime zest, and a 1/4 tsp of fine salt in a medium-sized, heat proof bowl. I like to use a metal bowl.

Can you use lemon juice instead of Key lime juice? ›

You may substitute the key lime juice with a mixture of 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice.

Does lime curd go bad? ›

Canned, it can have a shelf life of approximately 3 to 4 months. If you don't mind the darkening that occurs, it can have a shelf life of up to 1 year.

Does jarred lemon curd go bad? ›

Once opened, a jar of lemon curd should be refrigerated and used within six months for best quality, according to the folks at the J.M. Smucker Co., maker of the Dickinson's brand of lemon curd. Unopened, the jar should have a best-if-used-by date on the label that you should follow.

What happens if you add lemon to curd? ›

Adding lemon juice to curd/yogurt does not make it less healthy. In fact, it can actually improve the health benefits of yogurt. Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can help to protect cells from damage. It can also help to boost the immune system and improve digestion.

How do you know when curd is done? ›

You'll know the curd is ready when it noticeably thickens in consistency and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Don't stop whisking the curd until it's off of the heat or the eggs will scramble and turn lumpy.

Does adding lemon to milk make curd? ›

Yes we can made curd by mixing milk with lemon juice. Mix little by little lemon juice to the milk and stir frequently until the milk turned to curd.

What bacteria is in homemade curd? ›

The curd contains lactic acid bacteria known as Lactobacillus, which multiplies itself in the correct medium of 30-40 C temperature and in a few hours ferments the milk to form curd.

Is lemon used to make curd? ›

Instructions: Lemon Curd: In a stainless steel bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and lemon juice. Place over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring constantly to prevent it from curdling, until the mixture becomes thick (like sour cream) and coats the back of a wooden spoon (165 degrees F) (74 degrees C).

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? ›

Nothing will bring forward the bright, citrusy, natural flavors and acidity like fresh squeezed limes. However, bottled lime juice is certainly a convenient option. If you decide to go this route, make sure to choose a high-quality brand that is 100% lime juice with no added sweeteners or flavors.

Can I use regular limes in place of key limes? ›

There is a slight flavor difference between Persian limes and Key limes. But when baked into a dessert like Key lime blondies, it's hard to tell the difference. So if you can't find Key limes, go ahead and use Persian limes. You'll still wind up with a delicious summer pie.

What if I can't find key limes? ›

If you can't find key limes, use regular limes in a pinch. Italian meringue. Or just by Edward's frozen key lime pie.

How long does curd last in fridge? ›

Buy the freshest curds that you can. Eat what you want, but if you can't finish the bag right away or if you intend to keep it for a while put it into the refrigerator. Once refrigerated, you can usually keep the curds about two weeks.

How long does citrus curd last in the fridge? ›

Store the curd: Lemon curd will keep in your refrigerator for up to a month according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 1 year. To thaw, transfer your curd from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before you need it.

Does lemon curd go bad in the fridge? ›

Just be sure to put it in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container so it doesn't pick up any aromas from other things in your fridge. Fresh lemon curd will keep for one to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

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

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.

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