Magnolia Bakery's Lemon Curd Filling

Baking Latina Girl's Note:

This is a very tart, lemony and sweet curd. The directions given in the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook which I recently bought, gives very shallow directions with just enough information to make the recipe. It was my first time making custard/curd and it was surprisingly good. I hope you like it. Note: it is called a filling because it can be used as a cake filling but it is also wonderful on toast or scones for a sweet breakfast or teatime treat. This recipe yields 3 1/2 cups or enough filling for 1 two or three layer 9-inch cake.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 3.5 cups

• 12 egg yolks , at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons lemon zest , grated
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter , cut in small pieces

Directions:

1. In a medium-size saucepan, whisk the first five ingredients until thoroughly combined.
2. Get the saucepan on low heat to warm the mixture, and slowly augment the heat to medium. All the while stiring with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
3. Cook for about 20 minutes until thick and bubbly.
4. Remove from heat and add the butter, one piece at a time, stirring to incorporate.
5. Place in the refrigerator until firm.
6. Note: After cooking the mixture for about 5 minutes, it looked curdled so I strained it and then put it in a glass bowl over a pot with water on a high simmer. I cooked it for about 25 more minutes until it was quite thick and coated the back of a spoon. Then I strained it again and added the butter. It was deliciously tart like lemon curd should be.
7. A sterile mason jar would be perfect for keeping this inches.