Strawberry Curd Recipe and Tips
Bursting with the fresh flavors of ripe strawberries and a hint of tangy lemon, this versatile strawberry curd is the perfect addition to your breakfast or dessert menu. Whether spreading it on toast, swirling it into yogurt, or using it as a filling for your favorite pastries, our homemade strawberry curd will surely become a staple in your culinary repertoire. So, let’s get started and bring the taste of summer into your kitchen!
It is a fun day when I can play McGyver anywhere, especially in my kitchen. My mind enjoys noodling out-of-the-box solutions to a current problem. This Strawberry Curd Recipe is one of the conundrums I recently encountered, for which I am thrilled to have found a solution.
why you will love this strawberry curd
fresh and fruity flavor
Strawberry curd has a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness that comes from the combination of fresh strawberries and lemon juice. This refreshing flavor is perfect for brightening your favorite desserts or breakfast dishes.
versatility
You can use strawberry curd in numerous ways, such as a spread for toast, a topping for pancakes, or a filling for cakes, tarts, and pastries. Its versatility makes it an excellent addition to your culinary repertoire.
easy to make
This simple and straightforward recipe requires just a few ingredients and steps. Even if you’re new to making fruit curds, this recipe is easy to follow, making it an excellent choice for all skill levels.
homemade goodness
Making your strawberry curd at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Homemade curd is free of preservatives and artificial additives, making it a healthier option than store-bought versions.
perfect for gifting
Strawberry curd, packaged in a pretty jar, makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family. It’s a unique and tasty treat that is sure to be appreciated.
Overall, this strawberry curd recipe is a delightful, versatile, and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed in various ways. It’s a great addition to your kitchen and a perfect way to enjoy the fresh flavors of strawberries.
what is a fruit curd?
Can we all agree that someone should’ve put a bit more effort into naming this luscious, creamy, fruity, tasty treat?
That said, you can make fruit curds with just about any fruit. I might take a pass on tomato curd or banana curd, but most others would be delicious! The typical curd ingredients are fruit juice, egg yolks, sugar, and butter.
The fruit juice, sugar, and eggs are whisked and cooked over medium heat until the delightful combination thickens, at which point the butter is typically added. If you search ‘fruit curds’, you will find many variations of this recipe; this is the basic recipe and the one I used for my Strawberry Curd.
what is the difference between curds and custards?
While similar in texture, curds are different from custards in that they contain more fruit juice and/or zest, making them a bolder, fruitier treat. And while custards are typically the focus of the dessert, curds are usually accompaniments or fillings.
the conundrum: how to add more ‘strawberry’ to the strawberry curd
When I decided to make this Strawberry Curd, I used my stand-by lemon curd recipe, just swapping strawberry puree for the lemon juice. To say that I was underwhelmed would be an understatement. Not only was the first taste on my tongue egg yolk, but the bright strawberry color faded to a dull pinkish/beige-ish color that I found completely unappealing.
The challenge was finding a balance between enough egg to help the strawberry puree set up to curd consistency but not too much that I ended up with ‘egg yolk curd!’ While experimenting, I realized that the strawberry was not intense enough to overcome the egg yolks.
As I was noodling ways to up the strawberry flavor, I quickly considered and discarded added strawberry extract. And that’s when I had my McGyver moment…strawberry powder! I had made and used raspberry powder for my Raspberry Macarons and knew that it was easy to make and made a significant impact on flavor and color.
I hightailed it to the grocery store, purchased a 1-ounce bag of freeze-dried strawberries, ground them up, sifted the seeds, added some strawberry powder to my strawberry curd, and then sat back and enjoyed it by the spoonful! The addition of 2 tablespoons of strawberry powder brought the fresh flavor of strawberries back to the tip of my tongue, and the color dramatically improved from pinkish beige-ish to PINK!
how do I store strawberry curd?
Store strawberry curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just leave some room in the container for expansion during freezing. Let it come to room temperature on its own, don’t try to defrost or thaw it in the microwave.
can I make strawberry curd with frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can make strawberry curd with frozen strawberries. Just thaw the strawberries and drain any excess liquid before pureeing them. Frozen and thawed strawberries may slightly affect the final texture and taste, but it should still be delicious.
can I make strawberry curd without eggs?
You can make an egg-free strawberry curd using cornstarch or agar-agar as a thickening agent. Remember that the texture and taste might differ slightly from the traditional egg-based curd.
is there a vegan alternative to strawberry curd?
Yes, you can make a vegan strawberry curd by substituting dairy butter with plant-based butter or coconut oil and replacing eggs with an egg substitute like silken tofu, agar-agar, or cornstarch as a thickening agent.
can I use strawberry curd in place of other fruit curds?
Yes, you can replace other fruit curds with strawberry curd in most recipes, but be aware that the flavor profile will change. Strawberry curd tastes sweeter and more delicate than tart fruit curds like lemon or lime.
how do I know when my strawberry curd is done?
You will know that your strawberry curd is done when it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it. The temperature should reach around 170°F (77°C) on a candy thermometer.
how to prevent strawberry curd from turning out lumpy or grainy
Lumpy or grainy curd can result from overcooking, cooking too high a temperature, or not whisking the mixture continuously. To fix this, strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth consistency.
how do I use strawberry curd?
It may be quicker to share how not to use your strawberry curd, but since you asked…
breakfast spread
Use strawberry curd as a spread on scones, toast, bagels, croissants, or English muffins for a fruity and delicious start to your day.
pancake or waffle topping
Swirl the curd over pancakes, waffles, or crepes, adding flavor to your favorite breakfast dishes.
tart or pie filling
These Strawberry Mini Tarts are the perfect showcase for your strawberry curd! Easy to make ahead and quite the show stopper. If desired, you can use the curd as a filling for any pre-baked tart or pie crust, then top it with whipped cream or meringue.
parfait
Layer strawberry curd with yogurt and granola to create a delicious and colorful parfait.
fruit dip
Use the curd as a dip for fresh fruit, such as apple slices, bananas, or berries.
cake filling
Spread strawberry curd between cake layers to add a fruity twist to your favorite sponge or white cake recipe.
cupcake frosting
Mix strawberry curd with whipped cream or buttercream frosting to create a delicious cupcake topping.:
cheesecake swirl
Swirl strawberry curd into a cheesecake batter before baking for a visually striking and flavorful dessert.
trifle
Layer strawberry curd with cake, whipped cream, and fresh fruit cubes to create a beautiful and tasty trifle.
ice cream topping
Drizzle strawberry curd over your favorite ice cream or gelato for a fruity twist.
Eton mess
Fold strawberry curd into a mixture of whipped cream and crushed meringue, then top with fresh strawberries for a British-inspired dessert.
donut or crepe filling
Fill a piping bag with strawberry curd and pipe it into the center of freshly baked or store-bought donuts or crepes.
thumbprint cookies
Make a well in the center of your favorite thumbprint cookie dough and fill it with strawberry curd before baking.
french toast topping
Spread strawberry curd on warm French toast and top with powdered sugar or whipped cream.
panna cotta
Top a vanilla panna cotta with a layer of strawberry curd for a stunning and flavorful dessert.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities for using strawberry curd are endless. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite ways to enjoy this versatile and delicious treat.
Strawberry Curd Recipe and Tips
A brightly flavored strawberry curd
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberry puree
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered strawberries made from dehydrated strawberries (see note)
- 1/4 - 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (preferably fresh)
- 6 large egg yolks
- Pinch of salt
- 1 stick of butter, cut into 8 pieces
Instructions
- Combine lemon juice, sugar, salt, and eggs.
- Pour strawberry puree, powdered strawberries, and egg mixture into a wide-bottomed saucepan and whisk to combine.
- Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk almost continuously, until thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the curd has the consistency of sour cream and you can run your finger through the back of a spoon coated with the curd and see the finger track, remove it from the heat.
- Stir in the butter and mix until fully incorporated.
- Let it cool slightly and press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface.
- Refrigerate until cool and ready to use.
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
For Strawberry Powder:
Place 1 ounce of dehydrated strawberries into blender and blend for about 1 minute until it is in powder form. Place the powder in a fine-meshed sieve and shake and stir to separate the seeds from the powder. Discard the seeds. 1 ounce of dehydrated strawberries will make approximately 4 tablespoons of powder.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 40 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 54Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 33mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g
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