Best Citrus Mousse Cake With Buttercream Frosting Recipes

LUSCIOUS LEMON MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Mix the cake according to the recipe, adding the zest to the dry ingredients and the lemon extract with the vanilla.
• Divide the batter between two 8" pans lined with a parchment round or buttered and floured. Bake as instructed in the recipe. Wrap the cooled layers and chill until firm (I like to bake the cake a day ahead)
• When you're ready to assemble the cake, trim the browned edges and domed top off both cakes. Split each cake horizontally so you have a total of 4 cake layers. See how to prep the layers here. Have your syrup and buttercream ready before you begin making the Lemon Mousse.
• Place the Limoncello (or cold water) and lemon extract into a microwave safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid in an even layer. Whisk briefly to combine and set aside to bloom. Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and set aside.
• Place the 1 1/4 cups lemon curd in a large mixing bowl and use a spatula to smooth out the curd to break up any lumps. Fold 1/3 of the the cream into the lemon curd until no lumps of curd remain. Fold in the remaining cream until it's about 1/2 way incorporated.
• Heat the bloomed gelatin in the microwave in 10 second increments until it's hot to the touch. Working quickly, add a 1/2 cup of the mousse to the warmed gelatin. Whisk immediately until completely incorporated. Pour the gelatin mixture back into the mousse. Immediately whisk until the mousse is smooth and the gelatin is evenly incorporated. If the mousse is very soft, refrigerate briefly to let it thicken before assembling the cake.
• Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with buttercream (or use a disposable bag with the tip cut).
• Set one layer of the cake, flat side down, onto a cardboard cake round or a serving plate. Brush the layer generously with the Limoncello syrup. Pipe a ring of buttercream around the edge of the layer to form a "dam" for the mousse. Scoop half the lemon mousse onto the layer and smooth until even.
• Gently place the second cake layer onto the mousse, careful not to squish the mousse layer. Brush the layer with syrup and pipe a dam of buttercream. Set aside a 1/2 cup of the lemon curd and scoop the rest onto the layer. Smooth the curd until even (be careful not too press hard or you might squish the mousse layer beneath).
• Place the 3rd cake layer, brush with syrup and pipe a dam. Fill with the remaining lemon mousse. Top with the 4th layer, brush with syrup. Set the cake into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set the buttercream "dams" and the mousse.
• Ice the cake with a thin crumb coat of buttercream. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour to set the buttercream and allow the mousse time to gel. Ice the cake with a final coating of buttercream.
• Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe a border around the top of the cake. Spread the last 1/2 cup of curd onto the cake. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours to make sure the filling is completely set, preferably over night.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 1/2 hour before serving.

CITRUS MOUSSE FILLING

Steps:

• Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water; let stand until soft, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan off heat, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar, zest, and egg yolks. Whisk in lime and lemon juices and salt. Add butter; place over medium-high heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until butter has melted, mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, and small bubbles form around edge of pan, about 5 minutes. Stir in gelatin mixture; cook until completely dissolved, about 1 minute more.
• Pour curd through a fine-mesh sieve into a nonreactive bowl. Press plastic wrap against surface of curd; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour (or stir over an ice bath until chilled, about 15 minutes).
• 3. Whisk cream with confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form. Whisk curd briefly to loosen, then fold in whipped cream. Beat egg whites with whisk attachment until soft peaks form, then gradually beat in remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into curd mixture. Refrigerate in an airtight container at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

LEMON SHEET CAKE WITH BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, butter and flour the paper.
• In a measuring cup with a spout, combine the milk and lemon juice. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing for about 30 seconds after each. Scrape down bottom and sides of the mixer to ensure the mixture is well combined.
• With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk mixture to the bowl in three additions. Mix until just combined, then use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top and tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any large air pockets. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and golden and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cake completely on a rack before frosting.
• Meanwhile, prepare the frosting: Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low until combined, then turn the mixer up to medium-high and stream in 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Whip the frosting until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, adding additional lemon juice as necessary until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
• Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and serve. Store leftover cake at room temperature, covered for up to 2 days.

CITRUS MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat together whipped topping and condensed milk. Gradually beat in lemon and grapefruit juices, until evenly blended.
• Pour the mousse into one bowl or divide it into individual serving dishes. Garnish with fruit, if desired.