Lemon Mousse Shortbread Crumble

Featured in: Sweet Bakes & Treats

This dessert features a light, tangy lemon mousse carefully folded with whipped cream and egg whites, creating a fluffy texture. The mousse sits atop a crisp, buttery shortbread crumble baked until golden and cool. The assembly is chilled to set, then garnished with fresh berries, lemon zest curls, and mint leaves, delivering a refined and refreshing treat ideal for warm seasons or special occasions. The preparation involves simple mixing, baking, and chilling steps, resulting in an impressive yet easy-to-handle dessert.

Updated on Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:18:45 GMT
Lemon mousse cups with buttery shortbread crumble and fresh berries, a perfect spring dessert for any occasion. Pin It
Lemon mousse cups with buttery shortbread crumble and fresh berries, a perfect spring dessert for any occasion. | rapidtongs.com

Light, zesty lemon mousse layered over a buttery shortbread crumble offers a refreshing spring dessert that's both elegant and simple to prepare. This treat captivates with its bright flavors and delightful textures, perfect for any occasion where a touch of sophistication is desired without the fuss.

Lemon mousse cups with buttery shortbread crumble and fresh berries, a perfect spring dessert for any occasion. Pin It
Lemon mousse cups with buttery shortbread crumble and fresh berries, a perfect spring dessert for any occasion. | rapidtongs.com

The balance between the tangy lemon mousse and the crunchy shortbread crumble creates a refreshing dessert that feels light yet indulgent. Whether for a casual gathering or a special celebration, these lemon mousse cups bring a burst of springtime freshness to the table.

Ingredients

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  • Shortbread Crumble
    • 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
    • Pinch of salt
  • Lemon Mousse
    • 3 large eggs, separated
    • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
    • 1/3 cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
    • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
    • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, chilled
    • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, for stability)
  • Garnish (optional)
    • Fresh berries
    • Lemon zest curls
    • Mint leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Shortbread Crumble:
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter. Rub together with your fingertips or use a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake the crumble for 12–15 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden brown. Cool completely.
4. Prepare the Lemon Mousse:
In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler) and whisk constantly until thickened (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
5. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites (with cream of tartar, if using) until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
6. In a separate bowl, whip the chilled cream to soft peaks.
7. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled lemon mixture. Then fold in the egg whites until just combined and smooth.
8. Assemble:
Spoon a generous layer of shortbread crumble into the bottom of 6 small serving glasses or ramekins. Top with lemon mousse. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
9. Garnish each cup with berries, lemon zest curls, and mint if desired.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Ensure the butter for the shortbread crumble is cold to achieve a crumbly, golden texture. When folding the whipped cream and egg whites into the lemon mixture, do so gently to retain the mousse's light and airy structure. Chilling the dessert for the recommended time allows flavors to meld and the mousse to set properly.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. To add extra crunch, incorporate toasted chopped almonds or pistachios into the crumble. The recipe can also be customized with different citrus zest, such as lime or orange, to vary the flavor profile.

Serviervorschläge

Serve these lemon mousse cups chilled, garnished with fresh berries, lemon zest curls, and mint leaves for a vibrant presentation. They pair beautifully with a glass of chilled Moscato or Prosecco to complement the dessert's bright citrus notes.

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| rapidtongs.com

This lemon mousse cup recipe elegantly combines ease with refined flavor, perfect for welcoming spring or impressing guests with minimal effort. Embrace the simple joy of fresh citrus and buttery crumble in every spoonful.

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Lemon Mousse Shortbread Crumble

Zesty lemon mousse layered over buttery shortbread crumble for a refreshing, elegant spring dessert.

Prep Duration
25 minutes
Cook Duration
15 minutes
Complete Time
40 minutes
Created by Lily Turner


Skill Level Needed Easy

Cuisine Style European

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Shortbread Crumble

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 Pinch of salt

Lemon Mousse

01 3 large eggs, separated
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
05 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
06 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Garnish

01 Fresh berries
02 Lemon zest curls
03 Fresh mint leaves

How-To Steps

Step 01

Prepare and Bake Shortbread Crumble: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cold cubed butter. Rub together with fingertips or use a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet.

Step 02

Toast the Crumble: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheet.

Step 03

Create Lemon Custard Base: In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Place bowl over a pot of simmering water using a double boiler setup. Whisk constantly until thickened, approximately 7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Step 04

Whip Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Step 05

Whip Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip chilled heavy cream to soft peaks.

Step 06

Fold Components Together: Gently fold whipped cream into cooled lemon mixture. Then fold in beaten egg whites until just combined and smooth, being careful not to deflate the mixture.

Step 07

Assemble Dessert Cups: Spoon a generous layer of cooled shortbread crumble into the bottom of 6 small serving glasses or ramekins. Top with lemon mousse, distributing evenly among cups.

Step 08

Chill and Serve: Refrigerate assembled cups for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish each cup with fresh berries, lemon zest curls, and mint leaves immediately before serving.

What You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or manual whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Heatproof bowl for double boiler setup
  • Rubber spatula
  • Small serving glasses or ramekins

Allergy Alerts

Always review every item for allergens. If unsure, talk to a healthcare expert.
  • Contains dairy products including butter and heavy cream
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains wheat flour
  • May contain traces of tree nuts depending on garnish selections and ingredient sourcing

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Use these numbers as a helpful reference, not as personal health advice.
  • Calorie Count: 320
  • Fat Content: 21 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Protein Amount: 5 g

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