Lemon desserts bring a burst of bright, tangy flavor that hits just right when you crave something sweet yet not overwhelming. Among these delightful options, lemon mousse stands out. Each light spoonful delivers a creamy citrus flavor that melts effortlessly in your mouth. Traditional mousse recipes often require techniques like blooming gelatin or gently warming eggs. However, there’s a straightforward online recipe that creates a fluffy, creamy lemon mousse using just three ingredients: lemons, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
One crucial tip ensures success: the evaporated milk must be extremely cold to whip effectively. It’s often suggested to place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes and chill the bowl and beaters in the refrigerator beforehand. Cold temperatures are essential because fat helps trap air bubbles, and if it warms up too much, the fat loses its ability to hold them. With evaporated milk containing only around 6.5% milk fat—compared to 36% in heavy cream—you need all components to be as cold as possible. Only use full-fat evaporated milk for the best results; opting for low-fat or skim will hinder the mousse from fluffing up properly, often taking seven to nine minutes to achieve that airy height.
Sweetened condensed milk plays two significant roles
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The two milks in the lemon mousse recipe are fairly similar, with one primary distinction. Both types are shelf-stable with approximately 60% of their water removed. However, sweetened condensed milk contains added sugar—around 45%—making it substantially thicker and giving it a slightly caramelized flavor and a light brown color.
Along with sweetening the mousse, full-fat condensed milk (which you could easily prepare at home) also helps thicken the mixture. When the proteins in the condensed milk encounter the acid in the lemon juice, they coagulate, contributing to the mousse’s structure. While you can use limes for this dessert, oranges wouldn’t yield the same results due to their lower acidity.
Once you finish making the lemon mousse, there are numerous ways to present it. The basic serving style involves individual short glasses topped with lemon zest and a tiny lemon wedge. For a delightful twist, adorn it with whipped cream, berries, crumbled lemon shortbread, or chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts. Alternatively, consider creating layers in a parfait, such as a Lemon-Blueberry Parfait featuring blueberry compote, or serve it in a pie or tarts with a graham cracker or shortbread cookie crust.
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