Dreamy Silky Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Recipe to Brighten Days

Creamy desserts like this lemon cheesecake mousse blend tangy zest with smooth richness that dance across your palate.

Summer afternoons call for light, refreshing treats that sparkle with citrus brightness.

Every spoonful of this silky dessert promises pure indulgence and delicate flavor layers.

The recipe combines classic cheesecake elements with an airy mousse texture that melts effortlessly.

Soft cream cheese whips into cloud-like peaks, complemented by bright lemon notes that awaken your senses.

A touch of sweetness balances the citrus, creating a dessert both elegant and comforting.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated treat that comes together in minutes.

Prepare to savor a dessert that turns ordinary moments into delightful culinary experiences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 389 kcal

Servings: 5

Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Ingredient List

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy foundation with silky smooth texture, choose full-fat block style for best consistency.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates luxurious sweetness and helps achieve creamy mousse texture, select high-quality brand for best flavor.

• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, zesty tang that cuts through richness, use fresh-squeezed for maximum vibrant flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and provides subtle oil-based brightness, carefully grate only outer yellow skin avoiding white pith.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile with warm, subtle undertone, opt for pure extract over imitation.

• Heavy Cream: Creates airy, light texture essential for mousse structure, select cold cream with high fat content for best whipping results.
• Powdered Sugar: Stabilizes whipped cream and adds delicate sweetness, sift to prevent lumps during incorporation.

Equipment to Whip Up This Citrus Treat

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cream cheese and other ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating cream cheese and whipping heavy cream to the right consistency.
• Separate medium bowl: Needed for whipping cream separately from cream cheese mixture.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding whipped cream into cream cheese mixture without deflating.
• Dessert cups or bowls: Ideal for serving and chilling the mousse individually.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Zester or grater: Helps create fresh lemon zest for added flavor and garnish.
• Piping bag (optional): Useful for creating elegant mousse presentations in serving cups.

Instructions for Making Lemon Cheesecake Mousse

• Whip Cream Cheese Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend cream cheese until silky smooth. Pour in sweetened condensed milk, zesty lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything until the mixture looks glossy and uniform.

• Create Whipped Cream Cloud

In another bowl, transform cold heavy cream and powdered sugar into a billowy, cloud-like texture with stiff, delightful peaks.

• Marry Cream Cheese and Whipped Cream

Tenderly fold the whipped cream into the lemony cream cheese mixture. Stir gently to keep the airiness and create a dreamy, light texture.

• Shape and Chill Mousse

Transfer the luscious mousse into charming dessert cups. Smooth the tops for a polished look. Pop into the refrigerator and let the mousse set for a couple hours.

• Serve with Flair

When ready to indulge, pull out your chilled mousse. Dress it up with optional garnishes like bright lemon slices, extra zest, colorful berries, or delicate mint leaves for a stunning presentation.

Zesty Tweaks and Serving Ideas for the Mousse

• Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing.
• Adjust lemon juice and zest quantity to control the tanginess – add more for a stronger citrus flavor or less for a milder taste.
• Prepare the mousse up to 2 days in advance, keeping it covered in the refrigerator for easy party planning.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Experiment with different toppings like crushed graham crackers, toasted coconut flakes, or a drizzle of honey for added texture and flavor.

Serve Mousse Chilled with a Little Garnish

• Zesty Dessert Display: Serve in elegant clear glasses to showcase the mousse's creamy texture and pale yellow color.
• Berry Bliss Topping: Sprinkle fresh raspberries or blueberries on top for a vibrant color contrast and tangy flavor complement.
• Crunch Factor Boost: Add a crispy layer of crushed graham crackers or lemon cookies at the bottom of each serving cup for delightful texture variation.
• Mint Fresh Finale: Garnish with a small mint leaf for a refreshing touch and professional presentation that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.

Keep Lemon Mousse Light and Fresh in Storage

• Refrigerate the lemon cheesecake mousse in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its creamy texture and zesty flavor.
• Prepare the mousse a day before serving to enhance the lemon flavor and allow ingredients to meld perfectly.
• Portion the mousse into individual containers and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before enjoying.
• Keep toppings like fresh berries, mint leaves, or lemon zest separate until just before serving to prevent soggy texture and maintain maximum freshness.

FAQs

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, but the texture and richness might be slightly different. Full-fat cream cheese provides the best creamy consistency and flavor for the mousse.

• How do I prevent my whipped cream from deflating?

Always start with cold heavy cream and a chilled mixing bowl. Whip at medium-high speed and stop as soon as stiff peaks form. Avoid overbeating, which can cause the cream to become grainy and separate.

• Is there a way to make this mousse lighter?

Fold the whipped cream very gently into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula with a sweeping motion. This technique helps maintain the air bubbles, creating a lighter, fluffier texture.

• Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the mousse up to 2 days in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator, and add any fresh garnishes just before serving to maintain their appearance and freshness.

Silky Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy lemon cheesecake mousse blends zesty citrus with rich cream cheese in a refreshing dessert. Garnished with graham cracker crumbs and mint, this elegant treat will delight your palate with its balanced sweet-tart flavor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream, cold
• 8 oz (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
• ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• fresh lemon slices
• extra lemon zest
• fresh berries
• mint leaves

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Instructions

1. Cream Preparation: Whip cream cheese in a spacious mixing bowl until velvety and smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.
2. Flavor Infusion: Blend sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the cream cheese, mixing until achieving a uniform, silky consistency.
3. Cream Whipping: In a clean bowl, whip chilled heavy cream with powdered sugar until forming sturdy, defined peaks that hold their shape.
4. Mousse Integration: Gently fold whipped cream into the lemony cream cheese mixture, maintaining the airy texture and preventing deflation of the mixture.
5. Chilling and Setting: Distribute the mousse into serving vessels using a spoon or piping bag, creating smooth surfaces. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to solidify and enhance the texture.
6. Garnishing: Prior to serving, adorn with optional decorative elements like lemon slices, additional lemon zest, fresh berries, or mint leaves to elevate the dessert’s visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Prevent Deflation: Fold whipped cream gently into cream cheese mixture using bottom-to-top circular motions to maintain the mousse’s light, airy texture.
• Temperature Matters: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature for smooth blending and chilled heavy cream for optimal whipping volume.
• Zest Selection: Use fresh, organic lemons for maximum flavor intensity and avoid white pith which can introduce bitterness.
• Storage Strategy: Keep mousse refrigerated and consume within 2-3 days for best taste and texture, covering with plastic wrap to prevent moisture absorption.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 389
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 164 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg