Lemon Mousse Parfaits

Lemon Mousse Parfaits feature creamy lemon mousse, layered with Limoncello dipped lady fingers and fresh fruit.

Lemon Mousse Parfait Twist

A heavenly combination which feels both delicate and decadent. I created this dessert when another recipe, didn’t quite turn out. This reworked version is delicious. Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say. Because of course, dessert is necessary!

We had dinner plans with a friend which fell through,  and I was supposed to bring the dessert. Since I already had the ingredients, I decided to go ahead and experiment. I had started out with a recipe for individual servings of Charlotte. If you are unfamiliar with Charlotte, it’s similar to a trifle. I liked the presentation, but the lady fingers were just too blah. They needed more flavor.

That lead me to make a Limoncello spiked lemon syrup for the lady fingers. Limoncello, is a delicious Italian lemon liqueur. But if you don’t want to spring for a bottle, no worries. I’ve also included a version of the lemon syrup without the Limoncello. The syrup enhanced lady fingers were delicious, but now needed a new way to be assembled. That lead me to create a trifle-like dessert in parfait glasses.

Easy buttons for the Lemon Mousse Parfait

While you can make your own lemon curd, this recipe uses store bought lemon curd. Much easier. There are also more elaborate ways of creating lemon mousse. But this version is easy, rich, quite lemony and very yummy.  Actually each step was quite easy, and resulted in a pretty dessert that looked like a special treat. This would be a great dessert for a Spring or Summer dinner party, shower, or Tea party.

Lemon Mousse Parfaits

Layers of creamy lemon mousse, Limoncello soaked lady fingers and fresh fruit. A pretty and delicious dessert!

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Course: Dessert

Keyword: fruit, ladyfingers, Lemon, make ahead dessert, parfait, summer dessert

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 3 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Cathy of ItsThyme2Cook

Ingredients

Limoncello Syrup

• 1/2 cup Limoncello see note below for variation without Limoncello
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• juice of 1 lemon

Lemon Mousse

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered
• 3/4 cup lemon curd

Parfaits

• 16 soft lady fingers – I used part of a 3 oz package I found in the freezer section of Lunds. I highly recommend these soft spong cake-like lady fingers vs. the crisp ones.
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 kiwi quartered and cut into small pieces
• Note – you can substitute other fruit such as blueberries blackberries, etc..
• 4 parfait dishes with 1 cup capacity

Instructions

Limoncello Syrup

• Combine Limoncello, water, sugar and lemon juice in small pan and bring to a boil, Reduce heat, stir occasionally and simmer for 5 minutes, until sugar is dissolved. Strain into shallow bowl and let cool completely.

Lemon Mousse

• Scoop lemon curd into large bowl and let set at room temperature for 15 minutes. Whisk to loosen and create smooth texture. In separate bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar to stiff peaks. Gently fold a small portion of whipped cream into lemon curd to combine and lighten the lemon curd. Fold in remaining whipped cream in a few more additions, until mousse is well combined.

Parfaits

• Quickly dip both sides of the lady fingers, one at a time, into Limoncello syrup (you don’t want them to actually sit in the syrup or else they will get too mushy.) Place 2 lady fingers in bottom of parfait glasses and top with a few tablespoons of lemon mousse. They add a few tablespoons of mixed fruit. Repeat with second layer of dipped lady fingers, mousse and fruit. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

Notes

If you don’t have Limoncello on hand, or want to invest in a bottle, you can make the syrup without it. Increase the sugar to 1/2 cup and use the juice of 2 lemons.