Lemon Delights Recipe: A Fresh and Creamy Dessert
Lemon Delights (Delizie al Limone) are a wonderfully refreshing and indulgent Italian dessert perfect for special occasions or simply when you’re craving a citrusy treat. The combination of soft sponge-like cupolas, zesty lemon flavors, and creamy textures makes these little desserts a true delight. This recipe involves multiple layers of flavors, from aromatic lemon-infused whipped cream to rich, velvety lemon cream fillings. Here’s how you can prepare this decadent dessert for your next gathering.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eggs | 100g |
| Egg Yolks | 10g |
| Sugar | 60g |
| All-Purpose Flour (00 Flour) | 30g |
| Potato Starch (Fecola di Patate) | 30g |
| Vanilla Pod | ¼ |
| Lemon Zest | ½ (for infusion), 2 (for cream), 1 (for syrup) |
| Fresh Whipping Cream (Liquid) | 700g |
| Additional Sugar | 70g |
| Water | 35g |
| Limoncello (Italian Lemon Liqueur) | 70g |
| More Egg Yolks | 70g |
| Butter | 70g |
| Whole Milk | 175g |
| Cornstarch (Maizena) | 18g |
| Fine Salt | to taste |
Instructions
1. Preparing Lemon-Infused Whipping Cream
To begin, you’ll need to infuse the cream with a lovely lemon flavor. Pour the fresh cream into a bowl or jug and add sugar to it. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully peel the zest from the lemon, being careful not to include any of the white pith as it can be bitter. Add the lemon zest to the cream and mix with a whisk. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours at around 4°C (39°F). The longer you leave it to infuse, the more pronounced the lemon flavor will be.
2. Making the Sponge Cake-like Cupolas
While the cream is infusing, you can work on preparing the sponge base for the Lemon Delights. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the whole eggs and egg yolks with the seeds scraped from the vanilla pod. Mix these ingredients together for about 10-11 minutes until they are fluffy and well combined. However, be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to the cupolas being porous rather than smooth and airy.
While the eggs are mixing, sift the all-purpose flour and potato starch together onto a piece of parchment paper. Gently tap the paper to combine the powders. Once the egg mixture is ready, sift the flour and starch mixture over the egg batter using a fine mesh strainer. Carefully fold the ingredients together until just combined, being gentle to preserve the airiness.
Next, prepare your silicone mold by lightly greasing it. You will need a spherical mold where each cupola will have a diameter of approximately 8 cm. Transfer the batter into the molds using a strainer, making sure each mold is filled evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for 28 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
After baking, remove the cupolas from the oven and allow them to cool.
3. Preparing the Lemon Syrup
To make the lemon syrup, first, peel the zest from one lemon. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Warm the mixture gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Be sure not to bring it to a boil. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the limoncello, a key ingredient that gives this dessert its distinct Italian flavor.
Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
4. Preparing the Lemon Cream
For the lemon cream, begin by zesting half of a lemon. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out the juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Add the vanilla seeds and mix well. Transfer the mixture into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a spatula. Using a thermometer, cook the mixture until it reaches 80°C (176°F). Once it’s reached the correct temperature, remove the mixture from the heat.
Transfer the lemon cream into a bowl and let it cool down to about 40°C (104°F). At this point, add the butter and blend it into the cream using an immersion blender. Once the butter is fully incorporated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
5. Preparing the Pastry Cream
To make the pastry cream, combine whole milk and cream in a saucepan. Add the vanilla pod and the zest of one lemon. Stir the mixture with a spoon and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Once the milk mixture begins to boil, pour it over the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a spatula. Once the cream has thickened to a custard-like consistency, remove it from the heat. Cover the surface of the cream with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and set it aside to cool.
6. Combining the Creations
Now that all the components are ready, it’s time to bring them all together into the final dessert. Retrieve the lemon-infused cream from the refrigerator and discard the lemon zest. In a large bowl, combine 430g of the prepared pastry cream with 280g of the lemon cream, whisking until smooth.
Then, fold in the remaining lemon-infused cream (about 300g) and the limoncello syrup that you made earlier. Mix gently until the cream is light, fluffy, and evenly combined.
7. Assembling the Lemon Delights
Now that your components are ready, it’s time to assemble the dessert. Carefully remove the cupolas from the silicone molds. Dip each cupola into the lemon syrup, ensuring they are well-soaked but not overly soggy. Then, pipe the lemon cream mixture into the center of each cupola using a pastry bag fitted with a smooth nozzle.
Once filled, transfer the assembled Lemon Delights to a serving platter. Decorate the tops with the remaining whipped lemon cream, and allow the desserts to rest in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. Serving the Lemon Delights
Before serving, make sure the Lemon Delights are chilled and the flavors are well-developed. These delicate desserts are best served cold, allowing the creamy lemon filling to shine through. The result is a light, airy, and wonderfully tangy dessert that will surely impress your guests.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 13g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 40mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 4g |
These Lemon Delights are a delightful way to end any meal with a refreshing citrus burst. Whether you’re preparing them for a holiday gathering or a special celebration, this dessert is guaranteed to bring a touch of elegance and joy to the occasion.
