Lemon Curd Favors

Mr.CP and I decided to throw a pre-baby party after all.  The get-together was co-ed, we didn't call it a baby shower and we did not play any weird baby shower games.  I was able to reserve a couple picnic tables at Presidio Heights Playground and guests each brought something tasty for a potluck style lunch.

As baby party favors, I decided to make good use of my lemons and made little jars of lemon curd for our guests.

Lemon Curd
(yields 3 cups)

Ingredients
9 Tbs unsalted butter, softened at room temperature 
1 1/4 cup sugar 
3 large eggs 
3 large egg yolks 
1 cup fresh lemon juice 
2 Tsp grated lemon zest 


Directions
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about  2 minutes.

Slowly add the eggs and yolks and beat for 1 minute total. Mix in the lemon juice - the mixture will look curdled, but it will smooth out as it cooks.


In a medium, heavy-based saucepan, cook the mixture over low heat until it looks smooth. (The curdled appearance disappears as the butter in the mixture melts.) Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring  constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 15-20 minutes. It should leave a path on the back of a spoon and will read 170°F on a thermometer. Do not let the mixture boil.

Remove the curd from the heat; stir in the lemon zest and pour into a bowl or the jars and refrigerate.   I used 4 oz canning jars to make the favors.