If you like passion fruit and want to preserve the wonderful tropical flavor of this fruit for longer, this deliciously creamy Passion Fruit Curd (Passion Fruit Butter) is the ideal solution!
This passion fruit curd recipe is amazingly versatile and can be used to as a filling or topping for a variety of desserts, like the best pavlova ever!
I absolutely adore passion fruit, and I’ve shared a few recipes before on the blog before, like this matcha panna cotta with passion fruit mango compote, and this brown butter madeleines with passion fruit glaze and also this delicious passion fruit hollandaise sauce!
Living in Missouri, it’s not a fruit that I come by often these days unfortunately, and even when I do fine them, they are ridiculously expensive. So I usually buy enough to preserve them for later use.
There are TWO main ways that I use to preserve this gorgeous fruit. One is to make passion fruit syrup that I can freeze for later. I love making fruit syrups, and my summers are usually spent making a variety of them like this delicious rhubarb syrup, lychee syrup, grilled pineapple syrup, the best lemon syrup, vanilla blood orange syrup, peach shrub syrup, strawberry shrub syrup etc.!
OR my second favorite way is to make passion fruit curd (which is also sometimes referred to as passion fruit butter).
Both of these can be frozen for later, which makes them ideal ways to preserve passion fruit.
What is passion fruit curd?
Passion fruit curd is basically a type of fruit preservative made with passion fruit, lemon, sugar and butter, and thickened with eggs and/or egg yolks.
If you like homemade lemon curd, then you’ll LOVE passion fruit curd. It’s basically a passion fruit custard that’s packed with tropical citrus flavor, and delightfully creamy and buttery! I put it on pretty much everything! 🙂
Whatever you put lemon curd on, will be even better with this passion fruit curd (passion fruit butter). With the added floral, tropical flavor of passion fruit, it really enhances the flavor profile of anything that you pair it with.
And may I also suggest delicious pineapple curd and kiwi curd? Just as amazing as a topping or a filling for a variety of desserts.
How to make passion fruit curd
Usually, when you make lemon curd, there’s room for small mistakes. If the curd starts to lump up, you can rescue it by passing the curd through a sieve.
But with passion fruit curd, it’s harder to pass it through a sieve because of the seeds, so you have to be more careful to not let any lumps form. So you will need to cook the passion fruit curd over low heat, very slowly.
But the good news is that there’s a way for even complete novices to make this passion fruit curd perfectly!
Two methods to make this passion fruit curd recipe
Method 1 – Direct heat cooking on the stove. This is for more confident and experienced cooks. If you’re confident with your custard making skills (with cornflour/cornstarch), or lemon curd making skills, then follow this method. This way is quicker, but requires you to stay near the stove, stirring the curd the whole time. The direct heat can cause lumps to form easily (because the eggs are scrambling), so it’s important to keep the curd moving and stirring constantly to prevent that from happening.
Method 2 – Indirect heat cooking in a double boiler. This is the best way for less experienced cooks who prefer to be more careful. Cooking the passion fruit curd this way allows the curd to cook over a lower, less harsh heat. You still have to stir the curd, but not continuously. This method is less likely to scramble the eggs. The trade off is that it takes longer to cook the curd this way.
I prefer to use the first method when I’m making a big batch of this passion fruit crud (passion fruit butter). Mostly because it’s actually faster this way when I’m making large portions. The large quantity of ingredients acts as a buffer against the heat.
HOWEVER, if I’m making a single batch, then I usually go with the double boiler method because there’s not enough ingredients to form a buffer against the heat, and it’s more likely to scramble the eggs and result in lumps. And since passion fruits are hard to come by AND expensive, I want to be extra careful that I make the best of my precious passion fruits! 🙂
Should I use whole eggs or egg yolks?
I prefer to add egg yolks because it yields a richer and thicker passion fruit curd. But if you prefer it runny, then you can reduce the amount of egg yolks, OR replace 2 of the egg yolks with 2 whole eggs.
Conversely, if you want the passion fruit curd to be very thick and spoonable (like Greek yogurt or pastry cream), then you will need to add more egg yolks (about 2 more than directed in the recipe here).
Why is it important to cook the fruit curd up to 160°F
I like to be able to make this passion fruit curd and then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To be able to do this, then I need to make sure that the eggs are completely pasteurized, so that they don’t go bad early.
So the eggs need to be cooked to a temperature of 160°F. I use my temp. probe to keep track of the temp. of the passion fruit curd because it’s simply the most accurate way to do so.
But you can still make this passion fruit curd even if you don’t have a temp. probe, just make sure to cook it until it’s thickened as much as possible, and for this recipe, it needs to be cooked at least 15 minutes (over direct heat), and 20 – 30 minutes (over indirect heat).
How to use and serve passion fruit curd
This delicious passion fruit preserve is super versatile!
- Use it to top your toasts, toasted English muffins or crumpets.
- Top French toast, pancakes or waffles.
- Mix a spoonful with Greek yogurt for an awesome afternoon snack.
- Add a spoonful to your breakfast granola bowl.
- Mix the passion fruit curd with vodka for a creamy and delicious cocktail.
- Fill tart shells with the passion fruit curd instead of lemon or lime curd for a tropical dessert.
- Passion fruit curd is the perfect topping for desserts like ice cream, panna cotta, bread pudding, meringues or pavlova.
- It’s the perfect filling or topping for cakes (including angel food cakes, sponge cakes or layered cakes). For example, I made this lemon raspberry cake with a lemon curd filling.
- Top a bowl of freshly cut fruits with this tangy fruit curd.
- Or just eat it by the spoonful! 🙂
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Passion Fruit Curd Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup passion fruit pulp 3 – 4 passion fruits, depending on the size
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 egg yolks (from large eggs)
Instructions:
Indirect Heat Method
- Place the passion fruit pulp and sugar in a heat-proof glass bowl or the top of a double boiler.
- Heat a few inches of water in a saucepan or in the bottom part of a double boiler, and bring the water to a boil. Then lower the heat to a simmer.
- Place the bowl of passion fruit pulp and sugar on the saucepan or the double boiler, and whisk for a few minutes to warm up the ingredients and dissolve the sugar.
- Add the egg yolks and lemon juice into a separate jug or bowl, and whisk to form a smooth paste.
- Pour the warm passion fruit and sugar in a thin stream into the eggs, WHILE whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Next, pour the egg and passion fruit mix back into the bowl, and return the bowl to the double boiler.
- Add the unsalted butter to the warm passion fruit curd. The butter will melt as the passion fruit curd heats, and the whisking/stirring will help emulsify the butter into the passion fruit curd.
- Stir well (or whisk) frequently, while cooking the passion fruit egg mix. Make sure to not let the mixture set at the bottom of the bowl (this will cause the eggs to overcook). Stir or whisk frequently until the passion fruit curd thickens. This can take up to 10 – 20 minutes (the time depends on the bowl and the heat).
- The most accurate way to ensure that the passion fruit curd is cooked well is to use a temperature probe and check the temperature of the curd often, in between whisking. When the passion fruit curd registers 160° F, it’s ready!
Direct Heat Method (better for double batches)
- Place the passion fruit pulp and sugar in a small saucepan. Then place the saucepan over low-medium heat and heat while stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the egg yolks and lemon juice into a separate jug or bowl, and whisk to form a smooth paste.
- Pour the warm passion fruit and sugar in a thin stream into the eggs, WHILE whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Next pour the egg and passion fruit mix back into the saucepan, and return the saucepan to the stove.
- Add the unsalted butter to the warm passion fruit curd. The butter will melt as the passion fruit curd heats, and the whisking will help emulsify the butter into the passion fruit curd.
- Stir well (or whisk) constantly, while cooking the passion fruit egg mix. I prefer to use a rubber spatula to prevent any scratching of the saucepan. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides so that the egg doesn’t cook and stick to the bottom. It’s very important to keep the passion fruit curd constantly moving to prevent curdling (eggs cooking).
- Stir or whisk frequently until the passion fruit curd thickens. This can take up to 10 minutes (the time depends on the heat of the stove, lower heat gives you better control over the cooking process, but will take longer). It can take up to 15 – 20 minutes for double batches.
- If you feel that the curd is heating too fast, remove the saucepan from the heat and mix well to disperse the heat.
- The most accurate way to ensure that the passion fruit curd is cooked well is to use a temperature probe and check the temperature of the curd often, while stirring. When the passion fruit curd registers 160° F, then it’s ready!
Cooling and Storing Passion Fruit Curd
- Sterilize a 1 x 11 oz glass jar (324 mL) and sealable lid in boiling water.
- Remove the sterilized jar from the water and pour the hot passion fruit curd into the jar.
- Close the jar with the lid. Store in the fridge overnight, to completely chill the curd.
- The passion fruit curd will last in the fridge for about 3 weeks (with unopened sterilized jars), or about 7 days with unsterilized jars or bowls.
- OR it will last longer in the freezer (up to 3 months). Once opened, use within 7 – 10 days for best results.
Nutrition Information:
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
TJ says
This was irresistibly delicious. I served the entire recipe alongside Hanukkah donuts (instead of filling them with jelly) to a dinner party of 10, and it was devoured.
Dini says
Thank you so much for letting me know TJ, I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the curd with the donuts. 🙂 They do sound delicious!
Lynne says
Does this freeze to solid amount or is it scoopable?
Dini says
Hi Lynne
It doesn’t come out scoopable for me. I prefer to let it thaw (after freezing) before using it.
Hope that helps
Alissa says
Super tasty and perfect tartness. It was smooth when it was still warm. And the thickness came out great especially after chilling it. However after it was chilled it has a slightly grainy texture. If I spread it on something warm it is quickly back to smooth. Have others had the same experience? Any ideas? Or is this how the texture should be?
Amy Evans says
This recipe is SO insanely good! I ran out of lemon juice and substituted lime juice for a quarter of it and it tastes like passion fruit key lime pie filling. Thank you for this recipe! We are going to make tons of it and are giving it as gifts to friends and neighbors.
Genevieve says
I have a question. I cooked a perfect tasting batch, and then another that tasted distinctly eggy. The consistency is the same, so were the proportions. What do you think might have gone wrong?
Dini says
Hi Genevieve
I sometimes find that if the eggs are old, the curd tends to taste eggy than when it’s made with fresh eggs. Some articles have said that overcooking the curd can also result in egginess too. But I try to make the recipe with fresh eggs each time, and it hasn’t resulted in an eggy taste. I hope that helps!
Genevieve says
Great recipe.
Sophia Sy says
I can’t wait to try this! Thank you! Is the recipe sturdy enough to use as a filling in macarons?
Dini says
Hi Sophia!
I hope you like it! 🙂
This curd is more spreadable than pipeable, so it won’t suit a macaron. You can make it thicker by increasing the egg yolks or cooking it longer, but I haven’t tried this myself.
Vuyo says
Wow wow wow just made this and it’s amazing! Thank you for the lovely recipe can’t want to use it in tarts and the likes. Thank you
Dini says
Thank you so much for letting me know Vuyo. 🙂 So glad you liked the recipe!
Sonali says
Hi Dini,
I have tried a few recipes of yours in the past and they were excellent.
I want to try making the passion fruit curd, but the passion fruit I get here is very tart. The 1/4 cup of sugar may not be enough to sweeten it. What do you suggest?
Thanks
Dini says
Hi Sonali!
Sorry for the late reply!
It’s hard for me to guess how much extra sugar you may need for the passion fruit you are using. I would recommend adding about 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp of sugar and if at the end it’s too tart, you can add maybe upto another 2 tbsp more. You may need to extend the cook time by about 1 – 2 minutes if you do add the sugar at the end because extra sugar added at the end may make the curd runny.
Hope that helps!
Leah says
I’ve made two batches this week using passion fruit pulp I ordered through Amazon. Oh my god, this curd is delicious (hence needing to make it twice!). I cooked it to pastry cream consistency and plan to fill a vanilla raspberry cake with it. Thanks for the recipe!
Dini says
Thank you so much for letting me know Leah! Love the idea of filling a vanilla raspberry cake with it, that’s a fantastic flavor combo! 🙂
Jessica says
could u share the brand of pulp u liked from Amazon?
Anne says
Loved this! Can you use pineapple juice instead of passion fruit?
Dini says
Hi Anne!
I’m glad that you liked this 🙂 Yes you can use pineapple juice instead of passion fruit for this too!
Jessie says
Hi ! Exelent ! I put all ingredients together and cooked over water bath. Absolutely delicious and successful. Just one thing I did strain the passion fruit pulp and lemon juice through a sieve.
Hailey Dodds says
Hi,
I really like all your recipes I have tried but I wish you would do them in weight instead of cups and tablespoons. So much variation over different countries.
Thanks again for all the recipes.
Dini says
Hi Hailey!
As someone who grew up in NZ I completely understand what you’re saying! For that reason, my baking recipes that require the most accurate measurements have been given in weight measurements or millilitres for liquid measurements (with a toggle button under the ingredients list). While other recipes where a little variation is OK, cups and tablespoons are used (like this passion fruit curd recipe). I also have a measurement conversions tab on the website where unit conversions are provided for some key ingredients.
Thank you so much for your feedback, and I will keep it in mind for future recipes! 🙂
Timory says
Hi! Just thought folks would like to know that this actually works out to 106 calories per serving (1/10th of recipe), not 50! Too good to be true 🙂 really delicious, though.
Dini says
Hi Timory, thank you so much for pointing that out to me. I use a recipe plugin to calculate that info, and the 50 was likely an error when entering the values because that turned out to be 1/2 of the indicated serving size. It came out to 100 kcal/serving size for me, and I’ve now updated the recipe to reflect that. Thanks again, and I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Rachel says
Made this today- it was so delicious and worked perfectly.
Dini says
Thanks so much for letting me know Rachel. I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Aliya says
5 stars
Excellent recipe!
Not too sweet— just perfect!
Dini says
Thank you Aliya! I’m really glad that it came out perfectly for you! 🙂