Lemon mousse. - 1

I had a serious craving for something sweet yesterday, so I made this easy lemon mousse.

It’s so bright and airy, it’s like eating a zesty cloud. One bite and I was absolutely hooked.

And while I had to wait a couple of hours for it to set, it was so worth it! (Plus, I got to lick the bowl clean!)

Lemon mousse on serving glasses garnished with lemon zest. - 2

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Easy Lemon Mousse

Traditional French mousse is complicated, time-consuming, and hard to get right.

This lemon mousse recipe couldn’t be easier! The tartness from the fresh lemon juice and curd shines through, and the heavy whipping cream whips up to perfection. It’s light, airy, and hard to resist.

While traditional mousse uses egg whites (which are notoriously finicky) this recipe uses heavy whipping cream.

It provides the same fluffy texture with none of the skill. Easy-peasy.

Ingredients

This recipe might need a few more ingredients than this 3-ingredient mango mousse . But the list is still pretty short and sweet – just how I like it!

Here’s everything you need to whip up this lemon mousse.

  • Heavy whipping cream – The cream is the backbone of this dessert. It adds body and creaminess to the mousse.

  • Lemon curd – Make your life so much easier and opt for store-bought lemon curd. It adds even more complex lemony notes to this dessert.

  • Powdered sugar – Lemon mousse is light and airy, so you want a sweetener that won’t drag everything down. Enter powdered sugar.

  • Salt – A little dash of salt helps draw out the sweetness from the sugar, and tang from the lemons.

  • Lemon juice and zest – Since lemon is the star of the show here, use real lemons. Juicing a fresh lemon makes a world of difference. Plus, there’s so much bright flavor in freshly grated lemon zest.

  • Crushed graham crackers or shortbread – For added texture, you can garnish your desserts with crunchy toppings. It’ll make it taste like a lemon pie! It tastes just as good without it if you want to keep things smooth and creamy.

Whipped cream with lemon curd and zest in a glass bowl. - 3

How to Make Lemon Mousse

Let’s give the oven the night off, shall we? This recipe is so simple, you won’t have to heat it on the stove or pop it in the oven.

Check out how easy it all comes together.

  1. Combine all the ingredients. Add the cream, sugar, lemon curd, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest into a large bowl. 2. Beat it! Using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, beat all the ingredients until stiff peaks form. This step should take around 3-5 minutes. 3. Chill. Scoop individual portions into serving glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours. 4. Garnish. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top (optional), serve, and dig in!
Small spoon scooping fluffy lemon mousse on a serving glass. - 4

How to Serve Lemon Mousse

Lemon mousse tastes heavenly on its own. You can serve it up in decorative glasses, and it will be a big hit.

However, the best thing about this recipe is there are so many ways to serve it! Here are some of my favorite ways to use this simple lemon mousse recipe.

  • Cake filling – Layer this lemon mousse in this strawberry cake for the ultimate treat.

  • Whipped cream – Garnished with an added layer of whipped cream takes it over the edge. You can use store-bought whipped cream, or make your own! Homemade always tastes better.

  • Cupcake filling – Lemon mousse stuffed in lemon cupcakes ? Yes, please! The mousse center makes the cakes impossibly moist and creamy. Or, try different flavors of cupcakes like strawberry or vanilla.

  • Fresh fruit – There’s nothing more summery than lemon mousse and fresh, seasonal fruit.

Lemon mousse served in glasses on a white marble table. - 5

How to Store

Lemon mousse is best served chilled. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge as long as they are covered.

To Store : Place the mousse in an air-tight container, or wrap individual portions in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Note: Technically, you can freeze this mousse recipe. However, once it comes out of the freeze the taste and texture change slightly. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.

More Lemon Dessert Recipes

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Lemon Mousse - 6

Print

Lemon Mousse

4

15

350

This simple lemon mousse is so light and refreshing! It only takes 15 minutes to make, and it’s the perfect end to any meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup lemon curd
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • crushed graham crackers or shortbread, for topping (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream, lemon curd, sugar, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Spoon the lemon mousse into serving glasses. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Sprinkle with crushed cookies on top, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients are cold before you start to help the mousse set properly. Chill the bowl and beaters for at least 15 minutes, as well.

  • Garnish the mousse with additional lemon zest or a thin slice of lemon for a decorative touch.

  • Top with crushed graham crackers or shortbread cookies for added crunch.

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