Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (2024)

By: Author Mary (The Goodie Godmother)

Posted on - Last updated:

Categories Desserts and Sweets, Sauces and Condiments

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Creamy orange curd is easy to make at home! This easy to follow orange curd recipe works with any orange (even blood oranges), and makes a delicious treat. Use orange curd as a filling for cakes, spread for scones, in a tart, or topping for fresh fruit.

Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (1)

I heard a radio DJ yesterday listing off four or five words that women hate to hear in conversation. I agreed with a few, because they’re just awkward words to used outside of very specific situations, but curd was on the list and I’m not sure why. Do people use the word curd outside of describing foods like cheese curd, lemon curd, lime curd, and the topic of today’s post – orange curd?

How would you even do that? There was no mention of curdle the verb, just curd, the noun. I just don’t understand how this could make the list. How often do you use “curd” in conversation? I’ve spent way too much time wondering about this.

Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (2)

I promise you’ll really like the word curd when it refers to my orange curd recipe though. Orange curd is delicious! It’s so creamy, with just the perfect hint of orange and vanilla. It’s reminiscent of an orange creamsicle, only more grown up. You could use it as an alternative filling in my Key Lime Tart , serve it with scones for tea, or use it as filling for my Orange Cake from Scratch!

Orange curd doesn’t have quite the same citrus “bite” as lemon or lime curd, so this is a really good option if you don’t really like the citrus pucker but you’d still like something fruity and fresh. Use whatever oranges you have on hand.

Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (3)

I’ve used navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, whatever variety I happen to have on hand. You may use blood oranges as well to make blood orange curd. This orange curd recipe works for any of the usual orange varieties.

I will note that you don’t really get an orange color out of orange curd. It’s very pale. The same goes for blood orange curd unless your oranges are particularly pigmented. If you really want more of an “orange” color, feel free to drop a drop or two of gel food coloring in there. If you don’t, you’ll get the color shown in the photos.

Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (4)

It takes just a few minutes to make orange curd on the stove top, and you can keep it a week or so in the fridge. Freeze up to 3 months. I hope you enjoy this easy orange curd recipe, darlings!

Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (5)

Orange Curd Recipe

Yield: about 2 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Chilling Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

This easy to follow orange curd recipe works with any orange (even blood oranges), and makes a delicious treat. Use orange curd as a filling for cakes, spread for scones, in a tart, or topping for fresh fruit.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (yield from 1 orange)
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 8 tablespoons butter, cut into tablespoons

Instructions

  1. In the top portion of a double boiler, or a large heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together your sugar, eggs, egg yolk, zest, orange juice, and lemon juice.
  2. Set your bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, or place the top section of your double boiler into the bottom, set over medium low heat.
  3. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles the consistency of homemade mayonnaise or aioli. If you are using a thermometer, you will cook to 170 F.
  4. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the butter.
  5. Strain the curd through a fine mesh strainer into another bowl or storage container. Allow to cool 10-15 minutes at room temperature, then press a piece of plastic wrap across the top and refrigerate at least one hour to firm up a bit.
  6. Store in the refrigerator up to one week, or frozen up to 3 months. Enjoy!

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Orange Curd Recipe - Creamy & Delicious! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my orange curd not setting? ›

You need to keep a low heat and stir constatntly. The time it takes for the curd to thicken can vary accoding to the size of the pan and the heat used. To test if the curd is cooked properly, dip a spoon into the mixture then run your finger through the mixture on the back of the spoon.

What is orange curd made of? ›

Orange Curd is also called Orange Butter and is a delicious spread made of orange juice, sugar, butter and eggs. I love making fruit curd as it's such a great way of using up fruit and preserving it beyond making a jam or marmalade.

How do you fix runny orange curd? ›

If when completely cold your Orange Curd (or any other curd) is too runny then it was not cooked enough. You can remedy this by removing it from the jars and gently cooking again. Be sure to re-wash and sterilize the jars before refilling.

How do you thicken fruit curd? ›

More times than not the, curd just needs to be cooked longer in order for the egg proteins to set. If your curd has been cooked to 170 degrees and it still hasn't thickened, then make a slurry by whisking 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.

How many hours does it take for curd to set? ›

While in a warm climate, the curd will take around 4 to 7 hours, while it will take a bit longer in winters. In a cool climate it can easily take around 8 to 10 hours. Make sure the temperature of the milk before setting the curd is warm enough during winters, otherwise the curd won't set properly.

Is orange curd the same as marmalade? ›

A curd differs from all other types of preserves as it contains eggs and butter, very similar in texture as custard. A curd is a thick, creamy spread that is made by cooking together fruit juice – usually a citrus fruit, egg yolks, butter and sugar.

Is orange with curd good for health? ›

Combining dairy based products with citrus fruits or juice may trigger indigestion or heartburn, this is because the acidity of oranges may curdle up the proteins in milk, leading to an upset stomach or bloating.

Is it OK to eat curd after orange? ›

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are highly acidic. Combining them with curd can disturb the stomach's pH balance, potentially leading to digestive discomfort or acidity for some individuals.

Why isn t my orange curd thickening? ›

The curd isn't thickening. This has both eggs and starch in it and over medium heat will thicken, given the enough time. Be patient and keep watch over it – never walk away from a cooking curd for more than 30 seconds or it will over cook. This happens when the curd is overcooked, bits of the egg turn white.

Does adding lemon to milk make curd? ›

Yes we can made curd by mixing milk with lemon juice. Mix little by little lemon juice to the milk and stir frequently until the milk turned to curd.

How do you know when curd is done? ›

Dip a spoon into the curd then run your finger over the back of it. If it leaves a clean line in the curd, it's cooked enough and ready to cool. Curd will thicken up more once cooled completely. Spoon into a container, cover and refrigerate.

What makes curd thicker? ›

Use Full Cream Milk

Rich, full cream milk is considered best for making curd because of its high fat content. It results in a thicker, creamier texture often preferred by many people. Additionally, the fat in full cream milk can help create more flavour with a smooth, velvety texture.

Why isn't my curd thickening? ›

Why is my lemon curd not thickening? Make sure to cook the curd until thickened and bubbling. Stir it frequently with a rubber spatula or whisk to make sure it doesn't get lumpy. Once it's cooked, add cold butter and stir until it melts and becomes smooth.

Can you use gelatin to thicken curd? ›

To make a firmer curd for layering in cakes, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water; in step 2 above, stir gelatin mixture into thickened curd before adding butter.

Why is my cheese curd not setting? ›

The most obvious reason why the cheese won't set is due to the temperature being too cool during the fermentation stage. If the cheese (normally soft cheese) does not get firm and change in texture after you let it ferment for 12 hours, put it in a warmer place like the oven and turn on the light.

Why is milk curd not set? ›

Soluble calcium available in the milk: Coagulation will not occur in the absence of soluble calcium. Milk may contain a shortage of this calcium and this will lead to a soft weak curd. The addition of calcium chloride to the milk may rectify this.

How do you speed up curd formation? ›

You should always use warm milk to set curd. It should neither be boiling hot nor towards the colder side. While lukewarm milk should be used during summer season, warmer milk will help in setting the curd during winters. Do you know that adding a green chilli to your curd can help it set faster?

Why is my milk not turning into curd? ›

As a result, you may find that low-fat milk takes very little time to boil and curdle while whole milk will take longer. Milk will not begin to curdle until it reaches a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). To maximize and speed up the curdling effect, let the temperature climb even higher.

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