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The BEST Fruit Curd Recipes – Go Beyond Just Lemon

I love love lemon curd, but once I learned there were all sorts of flavors out there? Heaven. So of course I made a roundup of the best fruit curd recipes out there.

Image shows best fruit curd collage.

There are so many different fruits you can use to make a curd, but ideally, you want some strong flavor in the fruit to counteract the sweetness of the curd. That’s why pineapple, raspberry, and lemon work so well.

A sweet fruit curd like strawberry is delicious, but I find it works best as a cake filling (as just about ANY curd does) or as a dip for fruit. You want something where sweetness is expected.

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What is a curd?

A curd is a deliciously thick concoction that isn’t quite a pudding and has a smooth texture and plenty of acidity.

It is basically a custard with sugar, butter, eggs, and fruit juice – usually with citrus juice added or as the base.

Traditionally fruit curds were made with lemon and then with other citrus fruit, but there are so many more options out there.

Some recipes use only egg yolk while others use whole eggs. Both methods work, depending on the recipe. The trick is finding uses for your egg whites if you have an egg yolk-only recipe.

Some ideas? Make homemade marshmallow fluff or meringues.

Where do I use fruit curds?

Fruit curds are perfect for so many uses, and this is definitely not an exhaustive list of suggestions.

I love to dip fruit in curds, as well as the traditional topping for scones. They are a perfect filling for cake.

Use your favorite fruit curd as a topping for vanilla ice cream or over your breakfast granola bowl.

I often use them to mix into milkshakes with vanilla ice cream or into adult beverages like my grown up lemonade.

Fruit curds are delicious piped over homemade donuts, too. Continuing with the breakfast theme, try them over pancakes or waffles, too.

How do you make a fruit curd?

Fruit curds are surprisingly easy to make, so long as you keep the heat gentle. This is also why I always make my curd in an enameled cast iron pot rather than a cheaper stainless steel one that conducts heat less evenly.

You always start the same way: in your pot, whisk the eggs and sugar together, then add the cornstarch and fruit juice, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Heat this over medium-low heat while whisking until it thickens.

Once it thickens, add the butter slowly while you whisk at the very end so it emulsifies fully and tastes less of butter. Instead, you get the rich smooth feel on your tongue while still tasting the fruit.

Side note: always use unsalted butter when you’re baking, especially for fruit curds. Different brands have different levels of salt, and you can’t control the salt in your recipes easily when you use salted butter.

Do I need to use a double boiler?

You do not! I never use a double boiler for a few reasons, and yes, one is that I’m lazy.

If you are careful, you can avoid using a double boiler, but you need to use a quality 2-quart or 3-quart saucepan. If you use a thin pot, your curd will likely scorch.

On the note on pots: you must use a nonreactive pan like enameled cast iron or stainless steel or copper, for example. If you use aluminum or regular cast iron, they will react with the acid, and you’ll be able to taste it.

You also need to whisk fairly constantly and keep the heat at medium-low.

However, many recipes call for a double boiler, and you can certainly choose to use one. If you do, make sure you have a kitchen towel handy to quickly wipe the bottom of the top pot when you remove it to ensure no water or steam escapes into your curd.

How do I store fruit curds?

Once you finish whichever one on this list of the best fruit curds, strain the finished curd into sterilized jars, and close the lids. After they reach room temperature, ace them in the fridge.

You can store them in the fridge for up to three weeks.

You can also freeze the curds in the jars for several months. To use, let them thaw in the fridge for at least overnight and up to two days; do not heat them again.

What do I need to make fruit curd?

  • Your pan is critical, as I mentioned above. Make sure it is a nonreactive pan. I prefer to use enameled cast iron for this, as it distributes heat evenly and helps avoid scorching.
  • Many recipes call for the curd to reach a certain temperature, and I now prefer to use an infrared digital thermometer instead of a candy thermometer. It’s fast and accurate and doesn’t need to be cleaned!
  • You also need a whisk, and a standard balloon whisk works just fine.
  • Make sure you have a spatula to help scrape off the edges of your pan and get all the curd from your pot to the jars.
  • And yes, you need jars! I like to use wide mouth pint jars, so I can have multiple jars but only open one at a time – depending on how much a given recipe makes.
  • You also want a mesh strainer to ensure your curd is perfectly smooth, especially if the recipe calls for citrus zest.
  • And I often use a funnel to transfer curd from the pot to the jar with minimal mess.

The Best Fruit Curd Recipes

If you’re lucky, you’ve probably had lemon curd at some point. But did you know how many other curds are out there just waiting for you to try them? There’s bound to be one perfect for what you need right now.

1
Dipping strawberries in pineapple curd
Pineapple Curd
Pineapple curd is the perfect dip for fresh fruit, but it's equally as delicious as a cake filing and more. It's so simple to make, and yet it has so much flavor. Everyone will be impressed!
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2
Strawberry Curd
This is summer in a jar. I don't care how you use this strawberry curd, just make it. And enjoy it! And yes, you can make it with frozen strawberries, too.
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3
Recipe for homemade lemon curd - perfect filling for cakes and pies
Lemon Curd
I can't forget the traditional lemon curd. This makes a fantastic filling for a white cake. Or mix it with some strawberry ice cream and milk for the best strawberry lemonade milkshake you've ever imagined.
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4
Spoon of mango curd
Mango Curd
It takes just 20 minutes to make this delicious mango curd. It is a really fun topping for pancakes and waffles, as well as the usual cake filling, fruit dip, and more. How can you go wrong?
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5
theunlikelybaker.com
Orange Curd
Orange curd is quick and easy to make. You only need 1 pot and 10 minutes to make a little jar of sunshine that you can use for cakes, cupcakes, pancakes, scones and more.
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6
Rhubarb curd in a jar with a spoon next to it.
vikalinka.com
Rhubarb Curd
If you are a lemon curd fan, you need to make this rhubarb curd stat. It is yet another easy, delicious and crazy refreshing curd flavor.
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7
www.greedygourmet.com
Kiwi Curd
Kiwi Curd makes for one unusual topping but a favorite one no matter how you use it. Using a power blender, it only takes a few minutes.
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8
thecookspyjamas.com
Mulberry Curd
This simple yet truly delicious fresh mulberry curd is fantastic dolloped on scones, tucked into crepes, or swirled through yogurt. It is also pretty great eaten straight off the spoon, and did I mention the color?
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9
thisoldgal.com
Key Lime Curd
Did you know you can make fruit curds in your pressure cooker? Oh yes you can, and this key lime curd recipes creates a creamy tart, sweet and refreshing version. Use it on scones, yogurt, cake filling, toast and more.
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10
flavorthemoments.com
Lime Curd
If you cannot find key limes or happen to not own a pressure cooker, go for this lime curd instead. This is an easy lime curd recipe that’s rich, tangy, and bursting with fresh lime flavor. It’s the perfect addition for a special brunch or dessert.
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11
www.theflavorbender.com
Passion Fruit Curd
If you like passion fruit and want to preserve the wonderful tropical flavor of this fruit for longer, this deliciously creamy passion fruit curd is exactly what you need. The hardest part is figuring out where to use it first.
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12
globalkitchentravels.com
Apricot Curd with Lavender
In the summertime when stone fruits are everywhere, make sur you buy extra apricots. Apricot curd infused with lavender is the perfect accompaniment for your Sunday scones or just to drizzle over ice cream.
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13
bakingqueen74.co.uk
Black Currant Curd
Make the most of the season’s black currants with this vibrant curd. You will absolutely love it on toast or used in cakes and desserts.
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14
www.fabfood4all.co.uk
Blackberry Curd
The burst of a blackberry when you bite into it is heaven. Recreate it with this blackberry curd with just a hint of lemon. It is a simple recipe to make without using a double boiler or endless stirring.
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15
www.fabfood4all.co.uk
Banoffee Curd
I learned about banoffee pie from a friend who spent a few years in Wales. This is a perfect extension that combines all the flavor of dulce de leche with banana in curd form.
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16
simplebites.net
Orange Cardamom Curd
When I asked friends for their favorite ingredient, one brought up cardamom. And oh is he right about this special spice. In this curd, it turns it into a creamy, sweet and just a bit tangy bit of heaven. It’s a dream stirred into Greek yogurt or heaped atop a freshly baked scone.
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17
www.fittoservegroup.com
Raspberry Curd
Did you know curds can be keto? And many are naturally? This delicious keto raspberry curd should be on your shortlist of recipes to try. Rich, creamy, tart, and sweet, it’s a sugar-free raspberry curd that will bring a British classic into your home easily.
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18
charlotteslivelykitchen.com
Grapefruit Curd
This grapefruit curd is the perfect blend of sweet and tart. It's gorgeous and so easy to create and enjoy.
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19
www.thismomsmenu.com
Sugar-Free Coconut Curd
If you are a coconut fan, this is the version for you. This sugar-free coconut curd is a great and unique topping for yogurt, as a spread for cookies and cakes or just eaten by the spoonful.
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Save this list of the best fruit curd recipes to enjoy them regularly!

Image shows collage of fruit curds with text.

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