A light, fluffy, ultra-creamy lemon dessert made with just a few simple ingredients. Sweet, tangy, and refreshing — perfect for warm days or when you need a quick no-oven treat.
Servings & Timing
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours
Total Time: About 2 hours
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz / 395 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional but recommended)
Optional:
- Extra whipped cream for topping
- Lemon zest curls for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Serving glasses or bowls
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Whip the Cream
In a cold bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Do not overbeat — it should be fluffy but smooth.
2. Mix Condensed Milk & Lemon
In a separate bowl, combine:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Fresh lemon juice
Whisk until smooth.
You’ll notice it begins to thicken naturally — this happens because the lemon juice reacts with the milk proteins.
Add lemon zest if using.
3. Fold Together
Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture.
Use slow movements from bottom to top to keep the mixture airy.
Mix until fully combined and smooth.
4. Chill
Spoon into serving glasses.
Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours until set and creamy.
5. Garnish & Serve
Top with:
- Extra whipped cream
- Fresh lemon zest
- Thin lemon slices
Serve chilled.
Texture & Flavor
- Smooth and creamy
- Light and fluffy
- Sweet with a fresh lemon tang
- No gelatin required
Why It Thickens Without Cooking
Lemon juice naturally thickens condensed milk by causing proteins to tighten and set. This creates a mousse-like texture without baking or gelatin.
Optional Variations
- Add crushed cookies at the bottom for a lemon parfait
- Add 2 tablespoons cream cheese for richer texture
- Use lime instead of lemon
- Add shredded coconut
- Add vanilla extract
Storage
Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in airtight container
Do not freeze (texture may separate)
Pro Tips
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor.
- Chill the bowl before whipping cream for better volume.
- Adjust lemon juice for more or less tanginess.
Final Result
A silky, bright, refreshing lemon dessert that takes minutes to prepare and tastes like a bakery-style mousse.
