Lemon Curd

I have had several requests for this recipe.  I have made it for a tea party.  Also, my 10 year old son made it for school.  I made it to give in Christmas baskets to teachers. 

Usually, lemon curd is thought to be difficult....not this one!  Just received an e-mail requesting it so I made the time to get it on the blog....Love, love, love this!

Lemon Curd

3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon zest

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer, about 2 min. Slowly add the eggs and yolks. Beat for 1 min. Mix in the lemon juice. The mixture will look curdled, but it will smooth out as it cooks.
In a medium, heavy-based saucepan, cook the mixture over low heat until it looks smooth. (The curdled appearance disappears as the butter in the mixture melts.) Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 15 min. It should leave a path on the back of a spoon and will read 170°F on a thermometer. Don't let the mixture boil.

Remove the curd from the heat; stir in the lemon zest. Transfer the curd to a bowl. Press plastic wrap on the surface of the lemon curd to keep a skin from forming and chill the curd in the refrigerator. The curd will thicken further as it cools. Covered tightly, it will mkeep in the refrigerator for a week and in the freezer for 2 months.

Delicious as a spread on toast, bagel, waffles or pancakes.  I used a dollop in cream cheese tarts for the tea...a very lovely application, indeed.  Lemon curd just brings out the latent Brit in me!