This light, tangy Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse is a quick, protein-rich dessert with a bright lemon flavor and a smooth, airy texture. It pairs the creamy tang of cottage cheese with zesty lemon and a cloud of whipped cream. The mousse smells fresh and citrusy, tastes sweet and slightly tart, and feels silky on the tongue. If you enjoy cottage cheese desserts, you might also like a warm fruit bake like the warm blueberry cottage cheese bake, which uses similar ingredients in a baked format.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking)
- Total Time: 15 minutes (active) — plus 2 hours chilling before serving
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (values rounded):
- Calories per serving: 210 kcal
- Protein: 12.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
(Values are estimates based on 2 cups cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup whipped cream and other minor ingredients.)
Why Make This Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
This mousse is fast, healthy, and refreshing. It uses cottage cheese for a boost of protein and a creamy body without heavy cream alone. The lemon juice and zest give a lively citrus kick that brightens the dessert. It takes minutes to blend and chills into a light, airy texture that looks pretty in small glasses. Serve it after a rich meal or make it for a sunny brunch.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
You will blend the cottage cheese smooth, sweeten and flavor it with lemon and vanilla, then fold in whipped cream for lift. No cooking is required, so it is ideal for hot days or when you want dessert without turning on the oven. Chill well so the mousse firms and the flavors meld.
Ingredients:
2 cups cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup whipped cream
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Stop and scrape the sides so the texture becomes silky with no large curds.
Step 2: Mixing
Add the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract; blend until well combined. Taste and adjust sugar or lemon if you want sweeter or tangier notes.
Step 3: Cooking
Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated. There is no cooking — folding keeps the mousse light and airy.
Step 4: Finishing
Spoon the mixture into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with additional lemon zest or fresh berries if desired.
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
Serve chilled in small bowls or clear glasses to show the pale yellow color. Top with fresh berries, toasted almonds, or a thin curl of lemon zest. It works as a light finish to fish or chicken dinner and as a sweet treat for brunch. For a party, pipe it into small cups and add a mint leaf for a pretty presentation.
How to Store Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The mousse is best on day 1 or 2 when it still feels airy. If it releases a little liquid after long storage, stir gently and chill 30 minutes before serving. Do not freeze; freezing ruins the whipped texture and creates excess water separation.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
- Use full-curd or small-curd cottage cheese and blend well to avoid grainy texture.
- Chill the bowl and beaters when whipping fresh cream to get firmer whipped cream faster.
- If you prefer less sugar, start with 1/3 cup and taste after blending.
- For extra silkiness, press blended cottage cheese through a fine mesh sieve before folding in the cream.
- Fold with a spatula, not a whisk, to keep the mousse airy.
- Let the mousse chill long enough — at least 2 hours — so it sets and the flavors mingle.
Delicious Variations
- Lemon-Blueberry: Fold in 1/2 cup fresh or thawed blueberries before chilling.
- Honey-Lemon: Replace sugar with 1/3 cup honey for a floral sweetness.
- Citrus Mix: Use 2 tablespoons orange juice plus lemon juice for a milder citrus flavor.
- Ginger-Lemon: Add 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger for a spicy kick.
- Lighter Version: Use low-fat cottage cheese and light whipped topping, but expect a slightly less rich mouthfeel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
A: Yes. Use plain Greek yogurt for a smoother texture and tang. You may want to reduce lemon slightly because yogurt is tangier.
Q: Do I have to use whipped cream?
A: You can substitute stabilized whipped topping or whipped aquafaba for a dairy-free option. The whipped ingredient gives volume; skipping it will make the mixture dense.
Q: How long should I chill the mousse?
A: Chill at least 2 hours. For best texture and flavor, chill 3–4 hours. Overnight is fine, though the mousse may lose a little lift.
Q: Is this safe to make ahead for a party?
A: Yes. Make it up to 2 days ahead and keep covered. Add fresh garnishes right before serving.
Q: My mousse is grainy after blending. What happened?
A: The cottage cheese wasn’t blended long enough or the curds were large. Blend longer or strain through a fine sieve for a silkier result.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute?
A: Yes. Reduce sugar to taste or use a granulated sugar substitute that measures like sugar. Taste after blending to ensure proper sweetness.
Q: Will the lemon zest turn bitter if mixed too long?
A: No, zest contains no bitter white pith if grated carefully. Avoid zesting the pith; surface zest is aromatic and safe to mix.
Conclusion
This Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse is an easy, refreshing dessert that balances creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors with a light, airy texture. It needs minimal hands-on time and makes a bright finish for many meals. For another take on whipped cottage cheese desserts with a similar feel, check out this Whipped Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse recipe for more inspiration. Give this mousse a try — it’s quick, satisfying, and perfect when you want something cool and citrusy.
Print
Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and tangy Cottage Cheese Lemon Mousse that’s a quick, protein-rich dessert with a bright lemon flavor and smooth, airy texture.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Stop and scrape the sides to ensure a silky texture.
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract; blend until well combined. Taste and adjust sugar or lemon if desired.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated.
- Spoon the mixture into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Serve chilled in small bowls or clear glasses. Can be topped with fresh berries or a curl of lemon zest for presentation. Best enjoyed on day 1 or 2.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 12.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
