Creamy Orange Curd - A Perfect Crêpe Filling Recipe

A deliciously creamy orange curd. Made in 30 minutes and with only 5 fresh ingredients, this easy, foolproof recipe thickens naturally, thanks to 3 egg yolks.

Enjoy as a perfect topping or filling for crêpes, pancakes or brioche - plus makes great holiday gifts. Discover many more uses below.

Nostalgic Oranges - Everything is Better

Fresh oranges in season are not just healthy in winter. Their instant pick-me-up effect exudes this comforting glow as you pierce a fingernail into its peel and tiny pores create miniature concentrated fountains that perfume the room. So imagine that in a creamy curd.

For me, this is a cheery reminder of returning home from school on a wild and wet Scottish winter afternoon. To encourage us to walk up that hill home, Mum's motivating words, "Come on, as soon as we get home we'll have oranges by the fire," just did it. So we feasted on oranges and everything was better. Likewise, a dollop of this curd just sends me back to a hug by the fire in Scotland.

Curd Ingredients

The beauty to orange curd is that there's not much in it. The secret to a good curd is quality ingredients, so use the freshest eggs and seasonal unwaxed oranges packed with flavour. I say unwaxed or organic, as we need to use that zest.

In this recipe, not that much sugar is needed as oranges are already sweet. We also love that this curd is a little tart so that you can actually taste the orange and get that magic acidity.

Thick Orange Curd - With 3 Egg Yolks

This is my best orange curd recipe and foolproof, thanks to the addition of 3 egg yolks. If you know me by now, over the years, I have been mad about macarons! That means I often have a delicious dilemma of needing 'les blancs' to make egg white recipes - such as macarons and other treats like financiers or tuiles.

As egg whites keep well, and freeze a treat, it's important to use up the yolks first. So here's the perfect recipe for those of you who need 3 egg whites!

How Do you Thicken Fruit Curd? Top Tips

So the butter, whole eggs and eggs help form a custard which thickens the curd naturally. There is no need to add cornflour or flour in this recipe.

Don't forget it's important to measure out your ingredients according to the recipe below. That includes measuring out exactly the amount of orange juice. You've squeezed out a bit more than it says? Then drink the rest, as it's not going in there!

So, your curd looks like it isn't thickening? Don't worry (or dinnae fash, as we Scots say) - I still sometimes get the old butterflies in the stomach when I've been whisking away and think: "Jings, why is it still looking thin?"
After about 12 minutes of whisking over the heat, it will suddenly being to thicken nicely. It should be the consistency of a runny custard but, once it has been poured into jars, sealed and cooled, you'll discover the magic. It thickens in the pot as it chills in the fridge.

Easy Creamy Orange Curd Recipe

This recipe is so easy, it's foolproof. Although this curd can be made directly in a saucepan, I often whisk this up over a double boiler (bain-marie) so that there are no possible ways for the gorgeous citrusy stuff to curd-le.

We love to keep the zest in the orange curd but if you prefer without, then sieve it out before pouring into the pots.

10 Serving Ideas for Orange Curd - Especially Crêpes

This creamy orange curd is a wonderful crêpe filling recipe or topping for all sorts of snacks and French desserts. Here are 10 ideas how best to serve it:

1. Spread on crêpes, our thin French pancakes, Scotch pancakes or waffles.
2. For a real luxury, pair the curd with chestnut paste, a classic French combination.
3. A creamy alternative to marmalade to spread on slices of baguette, croissant, scones or fluffy brioche.
4. As a filling for plain sponge cake, or as an alternative topping for carrot cake muffins or this purple carrot cake.
5. On top of this orange cheesecake as decor or served with lemon Fiadone, Corsican ricotta cheesecake.
6. Add to chestnut vanilla ice cream before freezing - makes a particularly French holiday taste in this Ice Cream Yule Log.
7. Dollop a little on chocolate crème brûlées; the tartness cuts through the richness!
8. Spoon on French chocolate mousse - as both recipes don't contain milk or cream, the creamy citrus effect is bliss.
9. In meringue to balance its sweetness. Replace the lemon jelly in filled meringue snowballs.
10. Dollop on this incredible Pain Perdu, the real-deal French toast from our local bakery.

This recipe was first published on 30 January 2016 but is now completely updated.