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Lemon mousse in a small glass jar on a wooden board.

Lemon Mousse

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time:: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 250kcal
This light and airy lemon mousse is made with a classic French technique and just five simple ingredients, creating a silky, elegant dessert bursting with bright citrus flavor. It’s easy to make ahead, making it perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or any occasion that calls for a refreshing, impressive treat. 
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Ingredients

  • ½ cup (120 g) fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar divided
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup (240 g) heavy cream cold
  • 2 large egg whites room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

Make lemon base:

  • In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, ¼ cup of the sugar, egg yolks, lemon zest, and salt until smooth.
  • Set the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
  • Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and reaches about 170°F. The mixture should be pale, glossy, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally to prevent a skin from forming, or place plastic film over the mixture, making certain the mixture is in contact with the plastic film.

Make whipped cream:

  • In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream to soft peaks and refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the meringue:

  • In another clean bowl, beat the room-temperature egg whites until foamy.
  • Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar and continue beating until the whites hold soft, glossy peaks.

Make the mousse:

  • Once the lemon base has cooled completely, gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture in two additions, loosening the base while keeping it airy.
  • Fold in the whipped egg whites last, using a light hand and stopping as soon as no streaks remain.
  • Divide the mousse evenly among six serving glasses or coupes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
  • Top with whipped cream, grated lemon zest or zest curls, or fresh berries and mint leaves.

Notes

Storage:
- Any leftover French lemon mousse will keep refrigerated for up to 1 day. We don’t recommend freezing the mousse, as it will change the texture once it thaws.
- This creamy lemon mousse is a great make-ahead dessert for any celebration. It needs to set for several hours, so making it the day before also works well.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 18g
Sugar: 19g
Sodium: 34mg
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