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Barefoot Contessa Fresh Lemon Mousse

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is an essential element of my cooking. I almost always add the grated lemon zest because there's even more flavor in the zest than in the juice. This fresh lemon mousse is easy to make in advance and is delicious as a cool ending to a wonderful meal.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 559 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

For the lemon mousse
  • 3 extra-large whole eggs
  • 3 extra-large eggs separated
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (4 lemons)
  • kosher salt
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup good bottled lemon curd at room temperature
  • sweetened whipped cream
  • sliced lemon for garnish
For the sweetened whipped cream
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the lemon mousse
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large heat-proof bowl, whisk together the 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 10 to 12 minutes, until the mixture is thick like pudding. (I change to a whisk when the mixture starts to get thick.) Take off the heat and set aside for 15 minutes.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, until completely chilled.
  4. Place half the egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue to beat until the whites are stiff and shiny. Carefully fold the beaten whites into the cold lemon mixture with a rubber spatula.
  5. Place the cream in the same bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (no need to clean the bowl) and beat on high speed until the cream forms stiff peaks. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture. Fold in the lemon curd and pour into a 7-inch-diameter, 3-inch deep soufflé dish.
Make the whipped cream
  1. Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium and then high speed until the cream just forms stiff peaks. Spoon the whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
  2. Decorate with sweetened whipped cream and lemon slices that have been cut into quarters. Chill and serve cold.

Notes

  • A soufflé dish measuring 7 inches in diameter, 3.5 inches high (that's a 1-quart dish) will fit the amount of this recipe perfectly. You can also make individual servings. The amount will range between 6 to 10 servings, depending on your choice of vessel.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion Calories 559kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 36g (55%) Saturated Fat 21g (105%) Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 317mg (106%) Sodium 167mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 47g (94%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 559

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion
Calories 559kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 36g 55%
Saturated Fat 21g 105%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 317mg 106%
Sodium 167mg 7%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 47g 94%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.