Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in Hollowed Lemons

Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in Hollowed Lemons

Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in Hollowed Lemons is a delightful dessert that perfectly balances creamy, tart, and sweet flavors. This dish transforms everyday lemons into charming cups filled with a luscious ricotta mousse that will impress your guests and family alike. It’s worth making for special occasions or simply to add a touch of elegance to your everyday gatherings. A quick and easy recipe, this dessert offers a wonderful way to enjoy fresh berries and hints of citrus fragrance. With its bright presentation and exquisite taste, it’s sure to become a favorite at your dinner table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse recipe is incredibly simple, requiring minimal ingredients and zero baking time. With just a few easy steps, you can create an elegant dessert that’s airborne in flavor. The ricotta cheese creates a wonderfully rich and creamy texture, while the fresh raspberries add a burst of juicy sweetness. Perfect for summer barbecues or a cozy family dinner, this dessert is both satisfying and refreshing. Furthermore, the use of hollowed lemons not only adds an appealing presentation but also reinforces the luscious lemon flavor intertwined with the raspberry mousse.

Ingredients

To bring this vibrant dessert to life, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 4 lemons: Juicy and bright, these lemons will serve as perfect natural cups for your mousse while adding a tangy twist.
• 1 cup ricotta cheese: Creamy and rich, ricotta enhances the smoothness of the mousse, making each bite a delight.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream: This will add delightful fluffiness and an indulgent quality to the mousse.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetening the mixture, powdered sugar dissolves quickly for a velvety finish.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors, giving it a comforting, familiar taste.
• 1 cup fresh raspberries: Juicy and vibrant, these berries not only provide sweetness but also add a pop of color.
• Zest of 1 lemon: For an extra zing, the zest offers aromatic hints of lemon that elevate the entire dish.

Step-by-Step Directions

Creating this Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse is as enjoyable as indulging in it. Follow these steps for a seamless experience:

1. Prepare the Lemon Cups: Begin by cutting the tops off the lemons. Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out the insides, making sure to leave the rind intact to form effective lemon cups.

2. Mix the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy.

3. Incorporate the Berries: Gently fold in the fresh raspberries and the lemon zest. Be careful not to over-mix; you want to maintain some of the raspberry shape for visual interest and texture!

4. Fill Your Cups: Spoon the smooth, rich mousse into the hollowed lemon cups until they are generously filled.

5. Chill: Place the filled lemon cups in the refrigerator and let them chill for about 30 minutes. This will help the mousse to set and will enhance the flavors.

6. Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, you can garnish with extra fresh raspberries and a sprinkle of lemon zest for that added touch of elegance.

Tips & Tricks

• Choosing Lemons: Aim for firm, heavy lemons that are bright in color; they’ll be juicier and taste better.
• Fresh Raspberries: You could substitute fresh raspberries with blackberries or strawberries for a different fruit twist if desired.
• Sweetness Level: Feel free to adjust the powdered sugar according to your personal sweetness preference; honey or agave syrup can also be used as alternatives.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

This Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse is delightful on its own, but you could enhance the experience by serving it alongside buttery shortbread cookies or a warm slice of almond cake. It’s a fantastic choice for brunch menus, summer picnics, or as a light dinner party dessert. Pair it with a refreshing herbal tea or a sparkling water infused with lemon and mint to elevate the dining experience.

Nutritional Information

This elegant dessert is not only pleasing to the palate but also has a balance of nutrients. Each serving of Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in a hollowed lemon contains approximately 220 calories. It provides a good source of protein from ricotta, calcium, and vitamins. However, indulging in this delightful treat should always be balanced with a variety of other nutritious foods in your diet.

Storing Tips & Variations

For the best experience, enjoy the mousse fresh. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Avoid filling the lemons too far in advance as they may become soggy. If you’d like to try variations, consider adding different flavored extracts (like almond or lemon) or incorporating other fruits such as blueberries or diced mangoes into the mousse.

Conclusion

This Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in Hollowed Lemons is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual feast that can brighten any table. With its delightful balance of flavors and fun presentation, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to impress. We encourage you to give it a try, and please feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

FAQs

1. Can I use other types of cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes, mascarpone cheese can be a delicious alternative, providing a creamier texture, although it may alter the flavor slightly.

2. How can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute ricotta cheese with a vegan ricotta alternative or blended silken tofu, and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.

3. Can I prepare this dessert a day in advance?

While the mousse can be prepared ahead of time, it is recommended not to fill the lemon cups until the day of serving to maintain the freshness of the lemon rind.

4. Is it necessary to chill the mousse?

Chilling allows the mousse to firm up slightly and enhances the flavors, making it a better dining experience.

5. Can I freeze the mousse?

While the mousse can be frozen, the texture may change somewhat. It is best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days of preparation.

Print Recipe

Ricotta & Raspberry Mousse in Hollowed Lemons

A delightful dessert featuring creamy ricotta mousse served in hollowed lemons, offering a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Sweet

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Elegant Desserts, Lemon Cups, No Bake Dessert, raspberry dessert, Ricotta Mousse

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

For the Lemon Cups and Mousse

• 4 pieces lemons Juicy and bright, perfect natural cups for the mousse.
• 1 cup ricotta cheese Creamy and rich for a smooth mousse.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream Adds fluffiness and indulgence.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar Sweetens the mousse for a velvety finish.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Rounds out the flavors.
• 1 cup fresh raspberries Adds sweetness and color.
• 1 piece lemon zest Provides aromatic hints of lemon.

Instructions

Preparation

• Begin by cutting the tops off the lemons. Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out the insides, making sure to leave the rind intact.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip the mixture until smooth and creamy.
• Gently fold in the fresh raspberries and the lemon zest, being careful to maintain some raspberry shape.
• Spoon the mousse into the hollowed lemon cups until generously filled.
• Place the filled lemon cups in the refrigerator and let them chill for about 30 minutes.
• Garnish with extra fresh raspberries and a sprinkle of lemon zest before serving.

Notes

For the best experience, enjoy the mousse fresh. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Avoid filling lemons too far in advance to prevent sogginess.