Description
A no-bake Italian dessert inspired by the Amalfi Coast, featuring layers of lemon-infused cream, Limoncello syrup, and whipped custard, all built in elegant jars. It’s zesty, creamy, and irresistibly refreshing—perfect for summer or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Lemon Cream:
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40g (2 egg yolks)
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40g sugar (1½ oz.)
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1 or 2 lemons (zest and juice)
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40g butter (1½ oz.)
Lemon Crema Pasticcera:
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180g milk (¾ cup)
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80g + 30g cream (3 oz. + 1 oz.)
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80g (4 egg yolks)
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60g sugar (⅓ cup)
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15g cornstarch (5 tsp)
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1 pinch salt
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1 lemon (zest)
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⅓ vanilla pod
Limoncello Syrup:
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30g water (1 oz.)
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30g sugar (1 oz.)
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50g Limoncello (1¾ oz.)
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½ lemon (zest)
Glaze:
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Lemon Cream (prepared above)
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Lemon Crema Pasticcera (prepared above)
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60g milk (⅓ cup)
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125g sweetened whipped cream (½ cup)
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30g Limoncello (1 oz.)
Assembly:
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Limoncello Syrup + equal water (for dipping)
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Lemon Glaze
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Savoiardi (ladyfingers)
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Whipped cream + lemon zest (for garnish)
Instructions
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Make Lemon Cream:
Infuse lemon zest in juice for 20 min. Beat egg yolks and sugar. Add lemon juice. Cook to 80°C (176°F). Cool, then blend with butter. Chill. -
Prepare Crema Pasticcera:
Heat milk, cream, lemon zest, and vanilla pod. Infuse 1 hour, strain. Beat yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Combine with strained milk. Cook to 82°C (180°F). Chill. -
Make Syrup:
Boil water, sugar, lemon zest for 1 minute. Cool. Add Limoncello. Strain. -
Create Glaze:
Mix chilled lemon cream, crema pasticcera, whipped cream, milk, and Limoncello until smooth. -
Assemble:
Spoon glaze into jar. Dip Savoiardi quickly into Limoncello syrup + water. Layer into jars. Add glaze and repeat layers. Chill 2–3 hours.
-
Serve:
Garnish with whipped cream and lemon zest curls.
Notes
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Swap Limoncello with lemon simple syrup for alcohol-free version.
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Use gluten-free Savoiardi or sponge cake for GF option.
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Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar (200g)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg