Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport you straight to the elegant patisseries of France with this extraordinary Frozen Lemon Mousse with Sauce Cardinale. Imagine a dessert so refreshingly tangy, yet luxuriously creamy, that it will redefine your expectations of a perfect summer treat. This isn't just a recipe; it's a gastronomic experience that promises to elevate your dessert game from ordinary to extraordinary, with a delightful combination of zesty lemon and sweet raspberry that will leave your guests absolutely mesmerized.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup raspberry puree
- 1 tablespoon sugar (for sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare a double boiler by filling the bottom pot with about 2 inches of water and bringing to a gentle simmer.
- In a heat-safe bowl, whisk together eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Place the bowl over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom doesn't touch the water. Continuously whisk the mixture for 8-10 minutes until it thickens and becomes custard-like.
- Remove the custard from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential egg fragments. Allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled lemon custard.
- Add lemon zest and fold carefully to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the mousse into a freezer-safe container and freeze for approximately 4 hours until firm.
- For the Sauce Cardinale, blend raspberry puree with 1 tablespoon sugar until smooth. Strain to remove seeds if desired.
- Before serving, remove mousse from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Plate individual servings, drizzling raspberry sauce decoratively around or over the frozen lemon mousse.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality lemons for the most vibrant flavor - bottled lemon juice simply won't compare.
- When whisking the custard, maintain a consistent, gentle motion to prevent egg scrambling.
- Ensure your heavy cream is ice-cold before whipping for the best volume and texture.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer when straining the custard to achieve a silky-smooth consistency.
- For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with fresh mint leaves or candied lemon zest before serving.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, definitely strain the raspberry puree to remove seeds.
- Allow the mousse to soften slightly at room temperature for the most luxurious mouthfeel.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 130mg
