Lemon curd is a versatile spread that can be used in various recipes, including as a topping for toast, scones, cakes, and cookies. It can also be used as a dip or filling and is a popular ingredient in English breakfast and high tea. Lemon curd’s tart flavor is perfect for cutting through the sweetness in desserts, and it can be used in thumbprint cookies, Swiss rolls, and white layer cakes.
Lemon curd is a light, tart substance somewhat similar to marmalade. Famous for its fresh, bitter taste, lemon curd has many uses and can be added to a variety of recipes. Some of the best ways to serve lemon curd include as a spread for toast or scones or a dip for dessert. It can also be an excellent addition to cakes, cookies and jelly rolls.
For an English breakfast or high tea, lemon curd is an essential ingredient. Serve the curds in a small gelatin cup or dish, with a delicate spoon by the side. The spread can then be piled onto scones or scones and topped with clotted cream for a traditional treat. As a cream, curds also make a great topping for waffles, pancakes, crepes, toast, and cookies. A tablespoon of curds can also be stirred into quick bread batter, to create an overall lemony flavor.
As a dessert sauce, the delicate lemon flavor really shines. Lemon curd can be used as an alternative topping for gingerbread, instead of the more common but heavier cream cheese sauce. In simply flavored desserts, like pound cake, angel cake, or shortbread cookies, lemon curd helps cut through the sweetness with a pleasantly tart bite. To be used as a dip, the curds can be diluted with a little water, milk or additional lemon juice.
One of the simplest baking recipes that includes curds is the thumbprint cookie. Using basic sugar cookie dough, the mixture is rolled into small balls, then placed on cookie sheets. Each ball is then pressed down with the thumb, flattening the cookie and leaving an indentation at the top. The curds can then be placed into the recess before baking, creating a nice glass-like finish when finished. While the lemon filling can be used exclusively, it’s often fun to use three or four different jams for a multi-colored cookie presentation. Be sure to keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake, as overcooking will burn the jam filling.
Perhaps the most decadent way to serve lemon curd is as a pie topping. In a Swiss or jelly roll, a thin white sheet is painted with lemon filling and whipped cream, then rolled into a spiral. The cake can then be glazed or simply sprinkled with powdered sugar before serving. In any type of white layer cake, the curds make a great filling, but it can be enhanced by mixing fresh fruit into the curds for a more nuanced flavor. Spring and summer events are a great occasion to serve lemon curd desserts, as their flavors are bright, light, and refreshing.
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