This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
My easy lemon mousse recipe is a newfound family favorite. It’s light, airy, and beautifully balanced with tart and sweet flavors. It’s egg-free and impossibly creamy!
If your family loves lemon desserts like mine, try my lemon loaf, vegan lemon cake, and low-carb lemon curd next!
Table of Contents
If you’ve been under the impression that mousse is a difficult dessert to master, this recipe will convince you otherwise.
That’s because, like avocado chocolate mousse and peanut butter mousse, this recipe has no eggs. Instead, I used a combination of white chocolate and heavy cream, which provides the same fluffy texture but an even creamier mousse that, according to my friends, is far superior to ‘traditional’ mousse.
Why I love this recipe
- Made with 3 ingredients. All you need is white chocolate, heavy cream, and lemon juice.
- Balanced. Like mango mousse, this recipe is neither too tart nor too sweet. It’s basically the Goldilocks of desserts.
- Adjust the lemon flavor. I kept this recipe fairly modest with regard to lemony flavor, but you can use more or less lemon juice depending on how tart you want it.
- Easy to make ahead. I’ve made this dessert up to three days in advance and it always tastes just as fresh as on day one.
- Convenient. You don’t need a saucepan to temper the egg yolks, and you don’t need to dissolve gelatin. It’s the easiest mousse recipe ever!
Key ingredients
- White chocolate. Use a high-quality white chocolate bar or white chocolate melting chips.
- Fresh lemon juice. A must for a good lemon-flavored mousse!
- Heavy whipping cream. AKA heavy cream, make sure it’s VERY cold before you whip it.
How to make lemon mousse
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Melt chocolate. Melt the white chocolate on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Step 2- Chill. Whisk in the lemon juice and chill briefly.
Step 3- Mix. Beat the cream to stiff peaks using a stand mixer.
Step 4- Assemble. Gently fold the chocolate-lemon mixture into the whipped cream, then chill until firm.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Make sure the chocolate is completely melted. If any unmelted chunks remain, the mousse won’t develop properly.
- Add lemon zest. For a slightly sweeter flavor profile, I like to add the zest of one lemon.
- More lemon flavor. Use bottled lemon juice as it is more robust in flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, to make this mousse recipe dairy-free, use plant-based cream and vegan white chocolate.
If you overmix the melted chocolate and whipped cream mixture, your mousse is prone to having small clumps. You want to mix the chocolate in gently until just incorporated.
3-Ingredient Lemon Mousse
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces white chocolate chopped
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your white chocolate.
- Add the lemon juice and whisk vigorously until combined. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the cream on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate and lemon mix. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- Once set, distribute the mixture amongst eight serving glasses or bowls.
Notes
Nutrition
More no-bake desserts
- Healthy banana pudding
- Peach cheesecake
- Strawberry mousse
- No bake carrot cake bars
- Healthy peanut butter bars
- Or any of these no-bake desserts
Originally published June 2023, updated and republished January 2025
This is similar to recipe with strawberries. What can I use instead of heavy cream? Maybe some cottage cheese? Cream cheese?
Hi Arman, is this recipe thick enough if I wanted to put it between cake layers?
Hi Patti. I think as a topping it could be okay, but not something to layer a cake with 🙂
Hi Arman…..love your work! Will sugar free white chocolate work just as well and therefore create a keto version?
Regards
Trevor
Yes it will!
Very easy and good 👍
Can this be made by replacing the cream with Greek yoghurt?
Nope, won’t work 🙂
Sorry, I’m talking about the lemon mousse recipe servings.
Hi it is 8 servings 🙂