Easy Lemon Curd Mousse
This easy lemon curd mousse is made with Trader Joe’s ingredients, but can easily be adapted to use regular grocery store ingredients. It’s a little sweet, a little tart…and surprisingly light and refreshing. Top it with whipped cream and berries and it’s the perfect little summer dessert!
For more Trader Joe’s sweet treats, don’t miss this granola berry crisp, and this elevated mini sheet cake!
Trader Joe’s Cookbook
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What makes this lemon curd mousse so special?
This is an elegant dessert but comes together with just a handful of ingredients and only a few minutes of mixing! The fresh lemon adds a bright, fresh citrus flavor while the whipped cream creates a light, airy texture that tastes like a restaurant-style dessert with almost no effort. Switch up the toppings with the seasons – it’s so flexible!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Lemon curd: I love Trader Joe’s lemon curd and for $3.99 the price is right! However, feel free to use any brand lemon curd you like. However, note that Trader Joe’s lemon curd already has added sugar (19g), many brands do not.
If you are using a lemon curd without sugar or with lower sugar, you will need to increase the powdered sugar amount in the recipe below.
Powdered sugar: Gives the mousse a smooth texture. Do not substitute regular granulated sugar.
Heavy cream: If you substitute half and half, the mousse won’t be light and fluffy — it will stay thin and those soft peeks won’t form. If you want the mousse a little lighter, but don’t want to use heavy cream, you can fold in prepared whipped topping into the lemon curd mixture.
Optional toppings: Toppings are totally optional but in the summer, I prefer berries and whipped cream! In the cooler months, you can use crushed vanilla coookies, graham crackers, or toasted nuts.
CASEY’S NOTES
- Chill the mousse for 1-2 hours before serving if you’d like a firmer, more set texture. The mousse will also get a tiny bit sweeter as it sits.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest adds the brightest flavor, so try to avoid bottled lemon juice if possible!
- This is a great make ahead dessert! You can make it up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Casey’s Top Tip: Make sure you check the sugar content on your lemon curd! If it doesn’t contain added sugar, you’ll need to increase the powdered sugar. Also, always TASTE and adjust the sweetness to your own preference.
How to Serve
- Cute serving dishes: Serve this lemon mousse chilled in small dessert glasses, ramekins, or small mason jars for an easy make-ahead treat.
- Toppings: Top with whipped cream and fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. You can also top with crushed vanilla cookies, gingersnaps, white chocolate curls, chopped almonds, or a drizzle of raspberry sauce.
Did you try this recipe?
Let us know your thoughts on this easy lemon curd mousse by leaving a star rating below or sharing it on Instagram!
Thank you! ~ Casey
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If you love this easy dessert, don’t miss this quick chocolate chip mug cake, and these Rice Krispie treats with white chocolate!
Easy Lemon Curd Mousse
Equipment
- hand mixer or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 10.5 oz. jar of Trader Joe's lemon curd See Notes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 tbsp. powered sugar Slightly more for sweeter flavor. See Notes
- 1/8 tsp. sea salt
- Whipped cream/whipped topping and blueberries/berries for topping optional
Instructions
- Prep: In a large bowl, add the lemon curd, heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, powdered sugar, and sea salt.
- Mix: With a handheld electric mixture (or stand mixer), beat for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and soft peaks form. If you don't have a hand mixer or stand mixer you can use a whisk, and you'll get in an arm workout, too!
- Finish: Divide between 6-8 glasses or small bowls and garnish with berries and whipped cream. Note: I like to let the lemon curd mousse chill for a few hours in the fridge to let it set up and bit and allow the flavors to marry, but it’s not necessary! Also note that the mousse will get slightly sweeter as it sits.
Notes
- Trader Joe’s lemon curd already has added sugar (19g). Many other brands do not. Keep this in mind when adding your own powdered sugar. If the brand of lemon curd you are using doesn’t have added sugar, you will need to increase the powdered sugar to about 1/2 cup. TASTE it and see if it’s to your liking. Also note that the dessert will sweeten up a bit as it sits.
