30-60 min4 peopleAmerican

Rootitoot Lemon Curd

By Ruth McCusker

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4 people

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30-60 min

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Easy

Rootitoot Lemon Curd
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Recipe Details

Course: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 22 min

Total Time: 30-60 min

Cooking Technique: Pressure Cook

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp lemon zest grated
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 4 large whole eggs
  • 3/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest grated
This is the closest thing to edible sunshine I’ve ever tasted. There is a modified version for a thicker curd similar to a pie filling at the end of this recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. This really is the simplest treat ever - blend everything at once, pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, leave it for a 10-minute natural release and then whisk the heck out of it. Not kidding. It's a snap. For novices, here are the step-by-steps.
  2. Before we begin, here are a few tips and tricks for ya. When buying lemons, choose the ones that seem heavy for their size...they have the most juice. And pick the ones with smooth skins. The ones with dimpled skins often have the thickest peels. Press each one with your thumb: if it gives a bit, it probably has a thinner skin; the harder ones have those thick peels. (That goes for all citrus fruits.) And to get the most juice out of them, put them in the microwave for 15 seconds per lemon. Also, roll each lemon on the counter, pressing down firmly. It breaks up the interior cell membranes and releases more juice. Okay. On with the recipe.
  3. I mix AND cook this in my PYREX 4-cup measure, but you can use any oven-safe dish or casserole, or even mason jars. Avoid anything metal because it sometimes produces a metallic taste. Blend all the ingredients at once. I use an immersion blender, but you can use a food processor, blender, hand mixer, whisk, whatever you prefer. Pretty simple, right? Except for the cooking, that's pretty much it.
  4. Put 1 1/2 cups of water and the trivet in the Instant Pot. Put the lemon curd on the trivet and cover with a sheet of parchment paper. (Not absolutely necessary, though.) Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to Sealing.
  5. Push the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button. Use the + and - buttons to get to 10 minutes. When it beeps that it's done, leave it for 10 minutes natural release. (You can double this recipe - same cook time.) Then flip the valve to ?strong>Venting for a quick release of any remaining pressure.
  6. When the pin drops, open the pot and take the lemon curd out. It will look weird and “split” but don't worry. Use a whisk to vigorously blend the curd until smooth. It just takes a minute. If you want, you can strain it to remove the lemon zest for a perfectly smooth result. Cool on the counter for half an hour or so and whisk again. And you're done... not kidding... that's it.
  7. Refrigerate for up to a week... but don't be surprised if it mysteriously disappears before that.
  8. This is fabulous as a cheesecake topping, tart filling topped with whipped cream, on yogurt, ice cream, on toast or pancakes. Also good standing in front of the fridge clutching a spoon with a guilty look on your face.

Notes

Sweeter curd, Lime Curd and Orange Curd:
* Sweeter curd: If you prefer it sweeter, add an extra 2 - 4 Tbsp sugar and add an extra egg yolk. Everything else remains the same.
* Lime or orange curd: Substitute lime juice and zest for Lime Curd. For Orange curd, include 2 Tbsp lemon juice in the ⅔ cup juice. Using all orange juice can be too sweet.
*You can make any kind of curd using juice from whatever strikes your fancy: raspberry, grape, blackberry, whatever.

About the chef

Ruth McCusker

Ruth McCusker

Ruth "Rootitoot" McCusker was a beloved figure in the cooking community, known for adapting her cherished family recipes for the Instant Pot® and sharing them through her popular Rootitoot Cookbook series. Her passion for cooking and helping others shone through her active engagement in social media, where she built a close-knit community she affectionately called her “Secret Garden.” Ruth’s humility, generosity, and commitment to helping others succeed in the kitchen earned her a devoted following. Despite her private nature, Ruth touched thousands of lives with her exceptional recipes and warm spirit. She never sought attention but was driven by a desire to bring joy to families through great meals. Her untimely passing in February 2020 was a profound loss to her community, her two children, Brian and Linda, and her grandchildren, Wyatt, Helena, and Rosalee. Ruth's legacy lives on through her son, Brian Wilkowski, who worked closely with her on the Rootitoot cookbooks and is dedicated to continuing her vision. Together with her loyal team of admins, Brian ensures Ruth’s culinary magic and community spirit will endure through her website, Facebook group, and future cookbooks.

View All Ruth's Recipes

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