Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 6 tablespoons (85g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the double boiler: Fill the saucepan with about 1 inch of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place the heatproof bowl on top, ensuring the bottom does not touch the simmering water.
- In the heatproof bowl, thoroughly whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until just combined and slightly pale.
- Place the bowl over the simmering water. Whisk continuously and gently for 12–15 minutes until the mixture coats the back of a spoon thickly (nappe stage), or reaches 170°F–175°F (77°C–80°C).
- Immediately remove the bowl from the heat. Pour the hot curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to ensure a smooth texture.
- While the curd is still very hot, add the cold, cubed butter, one piece at a time, whisking constantly until each piece has melted and emulsified completely into the mixture. Stir in the pinch of salt.
- Pour the finished curd into clean, airtight jars. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours until fully set before serving.