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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Feb 24, 2022 · Modified: Sep 28, 2022 by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Blood Orange Curd

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This blood orange curd is a citrus lover's dream with its vibrant hue, creamy texture, and bright flavor. Plus it's easy to make, has just 5 ingredients, and is dairy-free.

    Jars of blood orange curd.

    It took a couple of rounds to get this recipe just right, but it was worth the blood orange juice massacre that happened on both my face and the kitchen walls. Somehow my white shirt got by unscathed.

    Word to the wise - don't wear white.

    If you can get your hands on some blood oranges, you should make this curd immediately. It's slightly sweet, tangy, and a little tart. Plus, the vibrant deep red hue is a sight for sore eyes.

    Ingredients

    • Blood orange zest & juice - both play an important role in getting that true blood orange flavor to really come through.
    • Fresh lemon juice - the acid in the lemon juice is important in the setting of the curd and also helps keep it from being overly sweet
    • Organic cane sugar - I love this unrefined granulated sweetener, but you can also use white granulated sugar with equally delicious results.
    • Egg yolks + whole egg - the reason for the curd's creamy custard-like texture.
    • Butter (dairy-free or regular unsalted butter) - adds richness and helps make it extra creamy.
    • Kosher salt - helps to balance out the sweetness.

    How To Make Blood Orange Curd

    Combine the sugar and zest in a bowl.

    Massage the zest into the sugar with your fingers to distribute the natural oils (flavor) from the orange into the sugar.

    Whisk the egg yolks and whole egg in a small saucepan before adding the zesty sugar.

    Whisk until well combined and then stir in the blood orange and lemon juice.

    Place over medium-low heat and continuously whisk until you see the curd noticeably thicken and just start to bubble (about 10 minutes).

    Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, a couple of cubes at a time until melted.

    Strain through a fine-mesh strainer (this will give it that silky texture) and let cool before storing it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge. It’ll thicken as it cools.

    Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make this blood orange curd using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No blood orange? - use oranges instead - either navel or another variety such as Cara Cara.
    • No organic cane sugar? - use granulated white sugar, but avoid brown sugar as it'll greatly affect the color.
    • Not dairy-free? - use regular, unsalted butter.

    Equipment

    To make this recipe, you'll need a mixing bowl, Microplane to zest the blood oranges, a citrus juicer, whisk, and a non-reactive saucepan* (such as ceramic, stainless steel, or enameled cookware). You'll also need a fine-mesh strainer to get a silky smooth curd.

    *Copper, iron, and aluminum pans are reactive, which means acidic foods have the ability to take on a metallic taste and can become discolored when cooked in them.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do some curds only use egg yolks and some use whole eggs?

    Typically, fruit curd is made with just egg yolks which is what contributes to its very rich and silky texture but the addition of the egg white helps to round it out and lighten it up a little bit.

    Why are my eggs starting to scramble?

    If you turn the heat up to quicken the process, you run the risk of scrambling the eggs. So for this reason, keep the heat at medium-low.

    How will I know when the curd is ready?

    The spoon trick is really helpful. To do this: dip a wooden spoon into the curd and run a finger through it. If you get a super clean line, it's good to go.Checking to see if the blood orange curd is done by making a line on the back of a wooden spoon.

    How to store blood orange curd?

    Store your curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

    How to Serve Blood Orange Curd

    The options are endless, but you can spread it on scones, drizzle on ice cream, add it to oatmeal, eat with waffles, spread on oat flour crepes, add to fluffy dairy-free pancakes, stir it into chia pudding or eat a spoonful right out of the jar!

    More Sweet Recipes To Check Out

    • Strawberry Grapefruit Popsicles
    • Dairy-Free Apple Crisp
    • Blueberry Peach Cobbler
    Jars of blood orange curd and a bowl of juiced blood oranges.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Blood Orange Curd

    This blood orange curd is a citrus lover's dream with its vibrant hue, creamy texture, and bright flavor. Plus it's easy to make, has just 5 ingredients, and is dairy-free.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup organic cane sugar or substitute, see notes below
    • 2 tablespoons blood orange zest
    • 3 large egg yolks
    • 1 large whole egg
    • ½ cup blood orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes dairy-free or regular unsalted
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Combine the sugar and zest in a bowl and massage the zest into the sugar with your fingers to distribute the natural oils (flavor) from the orange into the sugar.
    • Whisk the egg yolks and whole egg in a small saucepan before adding the sugar zest. Whisk until well combined and then stir in the blood orange and lemon juice.
    • Place over medium-low heat and continuously whisk until you see the curd noticeably thicken and just start to bubble (about 10 minutes).
    • Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, a couple of cubes at a time until melted.
    • Strain through a fine-mesh strainer (this will give it that silky texture) and let cool before storing it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge. It’ll thicken as it cools.

    Notes

    How to know when it's done: dip a wooden spoon into the curd and run a finger through it. If you get a super clean line, it's good to go.
    SUBSTITUTIONS:
    No blood orange? - use oranges instead - either navel or another variety such as Cara Cara.
    No organic cane sugar? - use granulated white sugar, but avoid brown sugar as it'll greatly affect the color.
    Not dairy-free? - use regular, unsalted butter.

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    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

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