Best Lime Curd Recipes

LIME CURD TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Press the dough into a 10-inch-round or 9-inch-square false-bottom tart pan, making sure that the finished edge is flat. Chill until firm.
• Butter 1 side of a square of aluminum foil to fit inside the tart and place it, buttered side down, on the pastry. Fill with beans or rice. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and beans, prick the tart all over with the tines of a fork, and bake again for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Remove the zest of 4 limes with a vegetable peeler or zester, being careful to avoid the white pith. Squeeze the limes to make 1/2 cup of juice and set the juice aside. Put the zest in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the sugar and process for 2 to 3 minutes, until the zest is very finely minced. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar and lime zest. Add-- the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lime juice and salt. Mix until combined.
• Pour the mixture into a 2-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. The lime curd will thicken at about 175 degrees F, or just below a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Fill the tart shell with warm lime curd and allow to set at room temperature. Once set, serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

FRESH LIME CURD

Steps:

• Place the sugar, butter, lime juice, lime zest in the top of a double boiler; stir over medium-high heat until butter melts. Mix 2 tablespoons hot lime mixture into the eggs and stir to blend.
• Reduce heat to medium until water simmers. Slowly whisk egg mixture into the lime mixture. Cook over the double boiler until lime mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly and spoon into a clean, glass jar. Cover and refrigerate.

LIME CURD

Steps:

• Whisk the sugar, 1 tablespoon lime zest, the lime juice and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk the whole eggs and yolks in a small bowl, then whisk into the lime mixture.
• Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it¿s thick like pudding, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until incorporated.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pushing it through with a rubber spatula. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming; let cool to room temperature. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon lime zest. Cover and refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to 5 days.

MIXED-BERRY TIRAMISù WITH LIME CURD

Steps:

• For berries:
• Combine blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, powdered sugar, and 1/2 cup water in large saucepan. Bring to simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until berries are soft but still intact, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to large bowl; stir in lime juice. Cool to room temperature. Stir strawberries into berry mixture. Chill until cold, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
• For syrup and ladyfinger layer:
• Combine 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, and lime peel strips in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour syrup into bowl. Cool to room temperature; discard lime peel.
• Using pastry brush, brush ladyfingers on both sides with syrup. Arrange in single layer in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish, cutting to fit and covering bottom of dish completely. Pour chilled berry mixture over.
• For mascarpone topping:
• Combine mascarpone and cream in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth and slightly thickened (do not overbeat or mixture may curdle). Add Lime Curd; beat just until blended. Drop mascarpone topping by large spoonfuls over berry mixture. Spread evenly, covering berries completely. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Spoon tiramisù into bowls and serve.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.
• ** An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.

LIME CURD

Steps:

• Combine yolks, lime zest, lime juice, and sugar in a saucepan. Whisk. Set over medium heat; stir constantly with a wooden spoon, making sure to stir sides and bottom of pan. Cook until thick enough to coat back of wooden spoon, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Strain curd into a bowl. Add butter, a few pieces at a time; stir with wooden spoon until smooth.
• Lay plastic wrap directly on the curd's surface to keep a skin from forming; wrap tightly. Let cool; refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 1 hour. Store refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.

KEY LIME CURD

Steps:

• Combine sugar, eggs, lime zest, and juice in a medium nonreactive saucepan, and set over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to thicken and holds the mark of the whisk, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat, and whisk in butter, a piece at a time, until well combined. Strain mixture through a sieve into a glass bowl. Lay plastic directly on surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill 3 hours or overnight to set the curd.

LIGHTER LEMON - LIME CURD (NO BUTTER)

Steps:

• In a small sauce pan, over medium heat, dissolve sugar into lemon juice. Add zest.
• Lightly beat egg in a small/medium bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly pour lemon/sugar syrup into the egg. Beat for 2 minutes (only 1 if you're using a mixer), then transfer back into the saucepan.
• Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until it just starts to bubble at the edges. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Transfer to a small container and store in the fridge.

KEY LIME CUPCAKES WITH KEY LIME CURD

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line cupcake or muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside in a bowl.
• In the bowl of electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes. Then scrape down the bowl and add the eggs one at a time. After adding all the eggs, scrape down bowl and add the milk and dry ingredients. Mix on low until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl again and hike up from low speed to medium speed for about 20 seconds, and then scrape down the bowl for the last time.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, rotating the cupcakes after 12 minutes, and bake until the cupcakes are baked through. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the frosting: Sift the powdered sugar and set aside in a bowl.
• In the bowl of electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese on low speed. Scrape down the bowl and add the sifted powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Slowly add the key lime juice and zest until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and mix on low speed. Then hike up to medium to high speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and fluffy.
• For the curd: Whisk the eggs, sugar and key lime juice in a steel bowl and set aside while you prepare a double boiler.
• Put a small pot half full with water on the stove over medium to high heat. Place the steel bowl with the whisked eggs on top of the pot and mix with a spatula until your mixture has become creamy like sour cream, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the mixture and strain, getting rid of excess egg particles. Grab a second steel bowl and dump your egg mixture inside, adding your zest and cold butter. Mix until well incorporated and place in the fridge until it slightly thickens, 10 to 15 minutes (or until desired consistency is achieved).
• Hollow out the middle of the cooled cupcakes with an apple corer or melon ball scooper and set aside. Fill the cupcakes with the curd. Put the frosting into a pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip. Swirl on the frosting, and then edge the sides in pop rock candies.

LIME CURD TARTS WITH SUMMER BERRIES

Steps:

• To make the pastry, tip the flour, butter and sugar into the bowl of a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. Add the egg and 1 tbsp cold water, and mix until the dough comes together. Turn out onto a sheet of cling film, wrap and chill for 20 mins.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface and line 8 individual 10cm tart tins. Set on a large baking sheet and chill again for 20 mins.
• Line the pastry cases with baking parchment (paper muffin cases are perfect) and baking beans, and bake blind for 10 mins. Remove the paper and beans, and bake for a further 10 mins until golden brown and crisp. Trim the pastry edges using a small, sharp knife.
• To make the lime curd, put the zest of 2 limes, all the juice, sugar and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the butter is melted.
• Stir in the eggs and continue to gently cook until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the curd carefully into the pastry cases and sprinkle with remaining lime zest. Leave to cool.
• Prepare the fruits, halving the strawberries (if necessary) and mixing everything together. Whip the cream lightly. Set a tart on each plate with a spoonful of cream and heap of fruit on the side. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

BLUEBERRY TART WITH LIME CURD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick, and line 4 1/2-by-14-inch rectangular tart pan placed on a baking sheet. Place in refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Line tart shell with parchment and dry beans or weights; bake 20 minutes. Remove paper and beans; reduce oven to 350 degrees. Bake shell until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; cool on a rack.
• Pour lime curd into tart shell. Place berries and honey in a medium bowl; toss to combine. Heap blueberries on curd, and garnish with lime zest. Serve.

NECTARINE LIME CURD TART WITH A BROWN-SUGAR CRUST

Steps:

• Make curd:
• Halve and pit nectarine. Cut halves into pieces and in a blender purée until smooth. In a heavy saucepan whisk together purée, yolks, granulated sugar, lime juice, butter, and vanilla. Cook mixture over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until it just reaches a boil, about 7 minutes, and immediately remove pan from heat. Strain curd through a sieve into a bowl and cool, its surface covered with a buttered round of wax paper. Chill curd at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cut butter into pieces. In a food processor pulse flour, brown sugar, and salt until combined well. Add butter and blend until a dough begins to form (mixture should hold together when squeezed between fingers). Press dough evenly into bottom and up sides of a 13 1/2- by 4- by 1-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Bake crust in middle of oven 20 minutes and cool in pan on a rack. Crust may be made 2 days ahead and kept in pan, covered, at room temperature.
• Halve and pit nectarines. Cut halves into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Spoon curd into shell, smoothing top, and arrange nectarine slices decoratively on top. In a small saucepan heat jam over low heat until hot. Pour jam through a sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids. Lightly brush fruit with glaze. Chill tart, loosely covered with plastic wrap, until ready to serve. Tart may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

LEMON CURD (STOVE TOP OR MICROWAVE METHOD) LIME OR ORANGE CURD

Steps:

• Stove top Method:.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar.
• Bring just to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes.
• Add butter and stir until it has melted and combined.
• Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Beat eggs into cooled lemon mixture until well blended.
• Return to heat and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, 10 to 15 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats spoon.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover and refrigerator at least 1 hour.
• Microwave Method:.
• Place butter in a large glass measure or bowl. Microwave on high for 10 seconds or until the butter is soft, but not melted.
• Whisk in the sugar, lemon rind and lemon juice. Add the whole eggs and yolks and blend well.
• Cover with parchment paper and microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring well after each minute or until mixture thickens and coats spoon.( May need more time for all microwave ovens are different so be sure it coats the spoon as for a custard!).
• Cover and refrigerator at least 1 hour.
• Pour into a sterilized glass jar(s) (jam jars are perfect) and leave to cool.
• Store in the refrigerator.

MANGO-LIME CURD

Steps:

• Combine mango, lime juice, and lime zest in the bowl of a food processor. Process until pureed. Add eggs, salt, and nutmeg; process 15 seconds longer.
• Combine sugar and butter in a bowl. Add to mango mixture in the food processor. Process until smooth.
• Transfer mixture to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes; stir with a whisk. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes more; whisk again. Continue heating and whisking until the mixture achieves a pudding-like consistency, 6 to 10 minutes total. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.

MANDARIN ORANGE-LIME CURD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, both zests, and egg yolks; whisk in citrus juices and salt. Add butter; place pan over medium-high and cook, whisking constantly, until butter has melted, mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, and bubbles form around edge of pan, about 11 minutes (do not let boil).
• Remove pan from heat immediately. Pour curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass bowl. Press plastic wrap against surface of curd; refrigerate until cool. Transfer to 6 seven-ounce jars; curd can be refrigerated in jars up to 2 weeks.

MANGO TARTLETS WITH LIME CURD AND TROPICAL NUT CRUST

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray eight 4-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms with vegetable oil spray. Combine macadamia nuts, coconut, pistachios and brown sugar in processor. Process until nuts are finely chopped. Transfer to large bowl. Beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Fold whites into nut mixture in 3 additions (mixture will be thick and sticky). Let mixture stand 10 minutes.
• Using plastic wrap as aid, press about 1/3 cup nut mixture onto bottoms and up sides of each prepared pan. Place pans on baking sheet. Bake until crusts are puffed and begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Cool crusts in pans 5 minutes. Using oven mitt, gently remove pan sides; cool crusts completely on rack.
• Make lime curd:
• Whisk sugar, lime juice and yolks in large metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); whisk constantly until mixture thickens and candy thermometer registers 180°F., about 9 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Gradually add chilled butter, whisking until melted and well blended. Press plastic wrap directly on surface of curd. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. (Crusts and lime curd can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store crusts in airtight container at room temperature. Keep lime curd refrigerated.)
• Fill each crust with 5 tablespoons lime curd. Arrange mango slices decoratively atop tartlets. Whisk guava jelly in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted. Brush over mango slices. Chill at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

STRAWBERRY-LIME CURD

Steps:

• Mix strawberry puree, sugar, cornstarch, lime zest, lime juice, and salt in a bowl.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and stir in strawberry mixture until well combined. Add egg yolks, stir, and return to heat.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until strawberry curd coats the back of a spoon and is slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.

BLUEBERRY TARTLETS WITH LIME CURD

Steps:

• For curd:
• Whisk sugar and lime juice in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Whisk in yolks, then butter. Cook over medium-low heat until thick, smooth, and just beginning to bubble, stirring constantly, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in lime peel. Transfer to small bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface of curd. Refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• For crust:
• Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor 5 seconds. Add butter and cut in, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons cream and egg yolk. Using on/off turns, blend until moist clumps form, adding more cream by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Shape dough into log. Cut crosswise into 8 equal rounds. Press each round over bottom and up sides of 3 3/4x3/4-inch tartlet pan with removable bottom. Pierce crusts with fork. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• For topping:
• Place 1/2 cup berries and sugar in heavy small saucepan. Using fork, mash berries coarsely. Cook mixture over medium heat until beginning to simmer, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Using rubber spatula, push as much of mixture as possible through strainer set over medium bowl. Mix remaining blueberries into strained berries. Set topping aside.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake tartlet crusts until lightly golden, pressing any bubbles with back of fork, about 15 minutes. Cool crusts completely on rack.
• Spread curd in crusts. Spoon blueberry topping over. (Can be prepared ahead. Let stand at room temperature up to 2 hours or refrigerate up to 1 day.)

LIME CURD TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Press the dough into a 10-inch-round or 9-inch-square false-bottom tart pan, making sure that the finished edge is flat. Chill until firm. (Note: I prepared my pan with a little baking spray, just to be sure it wouldn't stick.).
• Butter 1 side of a square of aluminum foil to fit inside the tart and place it, buttered side down, on the pastry. Fill with beans or rice. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and beans, prick the tart all over with the tines of a fork, and bake again for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Remove the zest of 4 limes with a vegetable peeler or zester, being careful to avoid the white pith. Squeeze the limes to make 1/2 cup of juice and set the juice aside. Put the zest in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the sugar and process for 2 to 3 minutes, until the zest is very finely minced. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar and lime zest. Add-- the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lime juice and salt. Mix until combined.
• Pour the mixture into a 2-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. The lime curd will thicken at about 175 degrees F, or just below a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Fill the tart shell with lime curd and allow to set at room temperature. Once set, serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

MIXED-BERRY TIRAMISù WITH LIME CURD

Steps:

• PreparationFor berries: Combine blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, powdered sugar, and 1/2 cup water in large saucepan. Bring to simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until berries are soft but still intact, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to large bowl; stir in lime juice. Cool to room temperature. Stir strawberries into berry mixture. Chill until cold, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled. For syrup and ladyfinger layer: Combine 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, and lime peel strips in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour syrup into bowl. Cool to room temperature; discard lime peel. Using pastry brush, brush ladyfingers on both sides with syrup. Arrange in single layer in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish, cutting to fit and covering bottom of dish completely. Pour chilled berry mixture over. For mascarpone topping: Combine mascarpone and cream in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth and slightly thickened (do not overbeat or mixture may curdle). Add Lime Curd; beat just until blended. Drop mascarpone topping by large spoonfuls over berry mixture. Spread evenly, covering berries completely. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Spoon tiramisù into bowls and serve. Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets. ** An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.

COCONUT MACAROON SANDWICHES WITH LIME CURD

Steps:

• Make Macaroons:
• Heat oven to 325°F with racks in upper and lower third. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Stir together coconut, sugar, flour, and salt until combined well, then add egg whites and almond extract and stir until combined well.
• Pack dough in a teaspoon measure, preferably with offset spatula, scraping it level, then use spatula to remove dough from teaspoon in a single mound. Arrange mounds, rounded side up, 1 inch apart, on baking sheets.
• Bake until just springy to the touch and bottoms are pale golden, 8 to 12 minutes, switching position of sheets halfway through baking.
• Remove cookies from oven and sprinkle while still hot with edible glitter, if using. Cool cookies on baking sheet 1 minute, and transfer to racks to cool completely.
• Make Lime Curd:
• Whisk together lime zest and juice, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan until cornstarch is dissolved, then whisk in butter. Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and continue to simmer briskly, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove pan from heat.
• Lightly beat yolks in a small bowl, then slowly add 1/4 cup lime mixture, whisking. Add yolk mixture to remaining lemon mixture, whisking, then cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, then cover surface with wax paper and chill until cold, about 1 hour.
• Assemble Cookies:
• Transfer lime curd to plastic bag and press out excess air. Snip a 1/8-inch opening in bottom corner of bag, then twist bag firmly just above curd.
• Put 1 cookie, flat side up, on work surface and pipe about 1/2 teaspoon lime curd onto cookie, then top with another cookie, flat side down, to form a sandwich. Make more sandwiches in same manner.