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Lemon Curd Tiramisu

Creamy mascarpone, fresh lemon curd, and buttery shortbread adorn this perfect spring dessert: the Lemon Curd Tiramisu.
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Lemon Curd:

  • 6 Large Egg Yolks (about 110g)
  • ¾ Cup (180ml) Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Cup (120ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
  • Pinch of Salt
  • ½ Cup (115g) Salted Butter, cut into four cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons (30ml) Heavy Cream

For the Lemon Simple Syrup:

  • ¾ Cup (150g) Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Cup (120ml) Water
  • ½ Cup (120ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest

For the Layers:

  • 32 Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies (or similar size and shape in another brand)

For the Lemon Mascarpone Cream:

  • 1 ½ Cups (360ml) Heavy Cream
  • ½ Cup (100ml) Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons (30ml) Pure Lemon Juice
  • 1 Teaspoon (5ml) Vanilla Bean Paste
  • 6 Ounces (170g) Mascarpone Cream

Lemon Whipped Cream:

  • 1 Cup (240ml) Heavy Cream
  • 2 Tablespoons (30g) Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon (15ml) Pure Lemon Juice
  • 1 Teaspoon (5ml) Vanilla Bean Paste

Instructions

  • For the Lemon Curd:
    In a heatproof bowl, whisk together 6 large egg yolks and ¾ cup granulated sugar until well combined.
    Stir in ½ cup fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt until smooth.
    Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.
    Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.
    Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in ½ cup of salted butter, one cube at a time, until melted and fully incorporated.
    Stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream until smooth.
    Strain the lemon curd through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
    Cover the surface of the lemon curd with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
    Refrigerate the lemon curd until completely chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • For the Lemon Simple Syrup:
    In a small saucepan, combine ¾ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water.
    Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
    Once the sugar has dissolved, add ½ cup of fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of lemon zest to the saucepan.
    Stir well to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
    Allow the syrup to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to infuse the lemon flavor.
    After 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
    Once cooled, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lemon zest.
    Set aside to cool slightly before use.  
  • Assembly:
    Dip the shortbread cookies one by one into the lemon simple syrup, ensuring they are soaked but not soggy.
    Arrange a layer of soaked cookies in the bottom of a serving dish.
    In a separate bowl, prepare the lemon mascarpone cream by whipping ½ cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form.
    Add ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of pure lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste to the whipped cream and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
    Gently fold in 6 ounces of mascarpone cream until well combined.
    Spread half of the lemon mascarpone cream over the layer of soaked cookies.
    Spread half of the chilled lemon curd over the mascarpone cream layer.
    Repeat the process with another layer of soaked cookies, followed by the remaining mascarpone cream and lemon curd.
  • For the whipped cream: 
    In a separate bowl, prepare the lemon whipped cream by whipping 1 cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form.
    Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of pure lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste to the whipped cream and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
    Pipe or spread the lemon whipped cream over the top layer of lemon curd.
  • Garnish with lemon rind and zest, if desired.
    Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
    Serve chilled and enjoy your Lemon Curd Tiramisu!

Notes

See blog for dietary substitutions including dairy-free and gluten-free ingredients. 
 
See blog for FAQ's.