Lemon Curd vs Custard: Don’t Get Confused!
Many people have the misconception that lemon curd and custard are the same thing. But actually, they aren’t! Lemon curd is more of a thinner dessert that can be eaten on its own. Custard is more popular as a spread. So, what are the other differences between custard and lemon curd?
Lemon curd is brighter and runnier than lemon custard. It doesn’t have cornstarch or condensed milk like the lemon custard. In today’s blog, I will elaborate on the lemon curd vs custard debate and make you aware of everything you need to know about them. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Lemon Curd vs Custard: Quick Overview
Before getting into the detailed discussion, you will find the key differences and similarities between lemon curd and custard in the following chart.
| Characteristics | Lemon Curd | Lemon Custard |
| Appearance | Bright yellow color | Pale yellow color |
| Consistency | Thinner than lemon custard | Much thicker, like a spread |
| Key Ingredients | Lemon juice, egg yolks, butter, and sugar | Lemon, sugar, milk, whipped cream, cornstarch, butter |
| Preparation Time | 4-6 hours | 15-20 minutes |
| Used As | Eaten on its own or used as a filling in cakes or pies | Spread between layers of cakes |
| Flavor | Much tarter | More of a mellow flavor |
Differences Between Lemon Curd vs Custard
Lemon curd and custard are quite different in terms of appearance, texture, and flavor. You will get a clear idea from the detailed overview below.
Appearance
Lemon curd has a bright lemony look that is much more vibrant than lemon custard. Even though you might think that this color comes from the lemon, it actually comes from the egg yolks used to make lemon curd. Egg yolk also gives lemon curd a shiny appearance that helps you distinguish it.
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On the other hand, lemon custard has a more mellow color, almost a pale yellow color to it. The color is a combination of butter, lemon, whipped cream, etc.
Key Ingredients
One of the main differences between these two desserts is their key ingredients. Lemon curd is made of lemon juice, egg yolks, butter, and sugar. But lemon custard is made of sweetened condensed milk, sugar, lemon, butter, cornstarch, whipped cream, etc.
Consistency
No cornstarch is used to make lemon curd, so it has a thinner consistency than lemon custard. Lemon curd is often runny, which makes it difficult to use as a spread. As lemon custard has condensed milk and cornstarch, it is much thicker.
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Whipped cream is also added to lemon custard, so you can form peaks on it. But lemon curd doesn’t have peaks.
Flavors
As lemon juice is used in lemon curd, it has a tarter flavor than lemon custard. Also, the amount of sugar and butter in lemon curd is also lower. So, you will get a more intense flavor in lemon curd.
But lemon custard has a milder flavor of lemon. It has sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and a lot of sugar that mellows the intensity of the lemon. Still, you get a hint of a lemony kick in the custard.
Preparation Method
To make lemon curd, you need to blend the ingredients together to bring a creamy consistency. One special step in this recipe is to pass the liquid through a sieve. It ensures there is no lump in the curd. Before you can eat the lemon curd, it needs to be set in the refrigerator for a few hours.
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Lemon custard, on the other hand, is made by mixing the ingredients with whipped cream. It takes much less time to set. Lemon custard will be ready in about 15-20 minutes.
Similarities Between Lemon Curd vs Custard
After the compare and contrast, it is time to learn about some similarities between lemon curd and custard.
- Culinary Uses: Though lemon curd and custard have differences in ingredients and recipe, they are often used on cakes. As lemon curd is runnier, it is used between cake layers to make the cake more moist. Lemon custard is used as a spread on the cake layers to bring smoothness. Lemon curd is also used as a filling in pies, tarts, etc.
- Storage: Both custard and lemon curd can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. If you want to store them for longer, you need to keep them in an airtight box and store them in the fridge.
What Recipes Can Be Made Using Lemon Curd and Custard?
Besides the ways I mentioned in their culinary uses, lemon curd and custard can be used to make many other delicious recipes. Here are some examples.
Lemon Curd
You can use it to make the following recipes.
- Lemon Curd Cheesecake
- Lemon Curd Tart
- Lemon Curd Cookies
- Lemon Mousse
- Lemon Curd Icecream
Lemon Custard
Though it is commonly used in cakes, you can make the following recipes as well.
- Lemon Custard Cupcakes
- Lemon Custard Cones
- Rice Pudding with Lemon Custard
Nutrition Facts of Lemon Curd vs Custard
Check the nutritional comparison chart below to find out which one is healthier.
| Nutrients (Per 100g) | Lemon Curd | Lemon Custard |
| Calories | 310 | 230 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g | 27g |
| Protein | 3.6g | 4g |
| Total Fat | 15g | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 8.5g | 7g |
| Total Dietary Fiber | 0.2g | 0g |
| Total Sugar | 41g | 26g |
| Cholesterol | 135mg | 66mg |
| Sodium | 180mg | 93mg |
FAQs
You might also be interested in some common questions about these two lemon desserts. Check the answers below.
Is lemon curd a type of custard?
Yes, lemon curd is a type of custard. It is made by blending egg yolks with butter, sugar, lemon juice, etc., to bring a custard-like consistency. So, you can technically call it a custard.
Why does lemon curd fall within the custard family?
Lemon curd falls within the custard family because of the way it is made. Though the thickening method is different for lemon curd and custard, both of them have a creamy consistency. Lemon curd is thickened using egg yolks and custard is thickened using cornstarch, whipped cream, etc.
Why is my lemon curd foamy?
The consistency of lemon curd depends on how much you blend the ingredients. As there are egg yolks in the mixture, the lemon curd will become foamy if you blend it too much. So, you shouldn’t incorporate a lot of air into the lemon curd to prevent the foam.
Can I substitute lemon curd for custard or vice-versa?
I don’t recommend interchanging these desserts. They are vastly different in terms of flavor, texture, and appearance. So, your recipe may fail if you use lemon curd instead of custard or the other way around. Use what the recipe demands.
Conclusion
People often get confused about which one between lemon curd and custard to use in which recipes. I wanted to give you a complete breakdown of lemon curd vs custard so that you know the differences and similarities between these two popular desserts.
Lemon curd takes more time and effort to make, but the result is a smooth and tarter liquid that can be used as a filling in many recipes. Lemon custard is a thicker dessert that can be spread on cakes, tarts, or other items. Try both of them and see if you can distinguish which is what from their flavors.
