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    Home » Recipes » Dairy-Free

    A Guide to Making Citrus Curd + Recipe

    Published: Feb 2, 2021 Modified: Feb 2, 2021 by Candice

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Yuzu citrus cut open.
    Yellow curd in a jar.
    Yellow curd in a jar.
    Yellow curd in a jar.
    Yuzu cut open.

    I love citrus curd; it’s sharp, sweet, creamy, tart, and fresh all at the same time. It’s super easy to make your own homemade citrus curd, and I’m showing you how to do it.

    Making a curd is very easy and you need only a few ingredients - eggs, sugar, your citrus juice of choice and usually butter. This recipe provides a dairy-free version that works great to make lime curd, lemon curd, yuzu curd, and more.

    Yellow curd in a jar.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why this Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients & Citrus Options
    3 Butter vs. Dairy-Free
    4 Adapt this Recipe for Yuzu
    5 How to Make this Recipe
    6 Curd FAQs
    7 Recipes that Use Citrus Curd
    8 Citrus Curd

    Why this Recipe Works

    This recipe works by combining the ingredients in a saucepan over heat. The liquid coagulates from the addition of citrus yielding a custardy texture.

    A classic curd uses butter to increase the creaminess and firm it up a bit. In this dairy-free version, we use the help of arrowroot powder to mimic that firmness.

    I use whole eggs because I find it less wasteful and enjoy the texture better than the extra custardy yolk-version curds. The eggs are beaten well before added in, making sure it tempers properly and the whites do not curdle.

    The sharp and sweet flavors in curd make them a perfect complement to heavy and/or doughy counterparts like pastries, doughnuts, and pies.

    Ingredients & Citrus Options

    Ingredients for yuzu curd.

    citrus - I have made this recipe with lemon, lime, grapefruit, and yuzu. I have even used combinations of them. Choose your favorites and experiment.

    arrowroot powder - This is the thickening agent used in this recipe. You can substitute with cornstarch.

    eggs - I use 3 whole eggs in this recipe, but it also works well with 2 whole eggs and 1 yolk. The texture will be more custardy with this second option.

    Butter vs. Dairy-Free

    Lemon curd traditionally has butter in it, adding a richness, creaminess, and firms it up a bit. You will often find suggestions to swap the butter for coconut oil. In my dairy-free version, we use the help of arrowroot powder to mimic that firmness.

    Both versions taste great, and you can choose whichever method suits your needs.

    Adapt this Recipe for Yuzu

    Yuzu is a very powerful flavor. As long as you use at least ¼ cup of yuzu juice, you can fill in the rest of the citrus in the recipe with lemon or lime juice.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Whisk together the beaten 3 eggs, ½ cup of sugar, ½ cup of fresh citrus juice, 1.5 teaspoons of arrowroot powder, and 2 teaspoons of (optional) zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until thick enough to coat a spoon, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to an airtight glass container and chill 2 hours minimum.

    Yellow curd in a jar.

    Curd FAQs

    What is it used for?

    As a filling for cakes and cupcakes.
    Spread on top of biscuits, muffins, toast, waffles, cookies, or cream puffs.
    Pie or tart filling.
    As a yogurt mix-in.
    Layered in a parfait or trifle.

    How long does it keep?

    Store in an air tight glass container in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.

    Does it freeze well?

    Yes, it can be frozen for up to 1 year in an air tight glass container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and use within 3 weeks.

    Do you have to strain it?

    Sometimes you get pieces of cooked egg in the curd. If that is the case, strain them out. If you don't have the pieces of egg in your curd, you do not need to strain it.

    Recipes that Use Citrus Curd

    Because citrus curd has such a long shelf life in the refrigerator, I like to always keep some around for moments I want to make my favorite desserts like some of these:

    • Lime Curd Sufganiyot | Dairy-Free
    • Lime Curd & Mascarpone Fruit Tart
    • Hamantaschen & 3 Unique Fillings
    • Lemon Brûlée Sufganiyot

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Yuzu citrus cut open.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Citrus Curd

    I love citrus curd; it’s sharp, sweet, creamy, and adaptable for many recipes. It’s super easy to make your own homemade citrus curd, and I’m showing you how to do it. You can use this recipe to make lime curd, lemon curd, yuzu curd, and more.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    2 hrs
    Course: Condiment, Dessert
    Cuisine: English
    Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegetarian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 105kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Whisk
    • Saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 3 large eggs or 2 eggs and 1 yolk, beaten
    • ½ cup sugar granulated or turbinado
    • ½ cup fresh citrus juice lime, lemon, yuzu, grapefruit
    • 1.5 teaspoon arrowroot powder
    • 2 teaspoon citrus zest optional

    Instructions

    • Whisk all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until thick enough to coat a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
    • Transfer to an airtight glass container and chill 2 hours minimum.

    Notes

    The eggs are beaten well before added in, making sure it tempers properly and the whites do not curdle.
    In this dairy-free version, we use the help of arrowroot powder to mimic the firmness that butter would usually provide.
    Store in an air tight glass container in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.
    It can be frozen for up to 1 year in an air tight glass container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and use within 3 weeks.
    Sometimes you get pieces of cooked egg in the curd. If that is the case, strain them out. If you don't have the pieces of egg in your curd, you do not need to strain it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.
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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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