Lemon Truffles Recipe

Dreamy Lemon Truffles Recipe: Bright & Zesty Sweet Treats

Sweet lemony truffles dance between creamy decadence and zesty brightness, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Crafting these delectable bites requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques.

Smooth white chocolate provides the perfect canvas for vibrant citrus notes.

Rich cream melts into silky pools, binding delicate flavors together.

Each truffle delivers an elegant burst of sunny freshness that lingers playfully on your palate.

Compact and impressive, these little gems will spark conversation at any gathering.

You’ll find yourself enchanted by their irresistible combination of tangy and sweet.

Prepare to be amazed by how effortlessly these truffles capture pure dessert magic.

Why Lemon Truffles Brighten Every Bite

Why Lemon Truffles Brighten Every Bite
  • Create delectable treats in under 30 minutes of active cooking time, with simple chilling periods that allow for effortless multitasking.
  • Burst with bright, zesty lemon essence that appeals to both kids and adults, delivering a refreshing twist on traditional chocolate truffles.
  • Customize coating styles from powdered sugar to graham cracker crumbs or elegant white chocolate, making these truffles perfect for casual gatherings or sophisticated dessert tables.

Must-Have Ingredients for Lemon Truffles

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Soft, creamy base that provides rich texture and helps bind the truffle mixture.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and smooth consistency to the truffles.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates structure and sweetness for the truffle mixture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright, citrusy notes that give signature tangy flavor to the truffles.
Coating and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Graham Crackers: Provides a delightful outer texture and additional flavor for coating.
  • White Chocolate: Optional elegant coating that adds richness and visual appeal.

Making Lemon Truffles with Ease

Making Lemon Truffles with Ease

Step 1: Whip Up the Base

  • Grab butter and soften it completely
  • Beat butter until silky smooth
  • Pour in sweetened condensed milk
  • Add fresh lemon juice
  • Sprinkle lemon zest
  • Blend everything until perfectly combined
  • Gradually fold in powdered sugar
  • Sprinkle salt
  • Mix until dough feels soft and pliable

Step 2: Chill and Rest

  • Cover mixture with plastic wrap
  • Slide into refrigerator
  • Let mixture rest and firm up
  • Wait 1-2 hours until mixture becomes solid

Step 3: Roll Delightful Spheres

  • Take small scoops of chilled mixture
  • Roll between palms into smooth balls
  • Place each truffle on parchment-lined tray
  • Continue until all mixture transforms into adorable rounds

Step 4: Create Delicious Coating

Options for coating:
  • Dust with powdered sugar
  • Roll in crushed graham crackers
  • Dip in melted white chocolate
  • Sprinkle extra lemon zest on top while chocolate remains wet

Step 5: Final Chill and Serve

  • Return coated truffles to refrigerator
  • Let set for minimum 30 minutes
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature
  • Enjoy tangy, sweet treats

Lemon Truffles: Tips That Help

  • Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate the mixture for 1-2 hours to ensure the truffles hold their shape and become easier to roll into smooth balls.
  • Customize Coating Options: Experiment with different coatings like powdered sugar, crushed graham crackers, or white chocolate to add variety and texture to your lemon truffles.
  • Zest Enhances Flavor: Use fresh lemon zest for a more vibrant and intense citrus flavor that will make your truffles pop with brightness.
  • Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to suit your taste preferences, making the truffles more or less sweet as desired.
  • Store Smartly: Keep truffles refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain their creamy texture and fresh lemon taste.

Storage Tips for Lemon Truffles

  • Store lemon truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap truffles individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay fresh for 2-3 months when frozen.
  • Remove truffles from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
  • If truffles become slightly dry, roll them again in powdered sugar or crushed graham crackers to refresh their coating and appearance.

What Goes Well with Lemon Truffles

  • A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the lemon truffles’ bright, zesty flavor, cutting through the sweetness with its crisp acidity.
  • The floral notes of lavender and bergamot in Earl Grey create a delightful harmony with the citrusy, creamy truffle, enhancing the dessert’s delicate aromatics.
  • A scoop of tangy lemon sorbet alongside these truffles intensifies the citrus profile, creating a refreshing and palate-cleansing dessert experience.
  • A sprinkle of finely chopped mint leaves adds a cool, herbal contrast that brightens the truffles’ rich, sweet essence and provides a sophisticated finishing touch.

Lemon Truffle Variations You Should Try

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace graham crackers with crushed gluten-free cookies or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Citrus Bites: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free condensed milk, and swap powdered sugar with a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free condensed milk and replace powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly treat.
  • Tropical Transformation: Swap lemon juice and zest with orange or lime for a different citrus flavor profile that adds exciting variety to the original recipe.

Lemon Truffles FAQs You’ll Appreciate

  • Are lemon truffles difficult to make?

No, these truffles are surprisingly easy! Even beginner bakers can make them with basic kitchen tools and minimal cooking skills. The recipe requires simple mixing and rolling techniques that anyone can master.

  • Can I make lemon truffles ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare these truffles up to 5 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they’ll maintain their delicious flavor and texture perfectly.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these truffles?

Not at all. You’ll only need basic kitchen tools like a mixing bowl, electric mixer, baking sheet, and parchment paper. Most home cooks already have these items in their kitchen.

  • How can I make these truffles more kid-friendly?

Try involving children in rolling the truffles or coating them with powdered sugar. Kids love getting hands-on in the kitchen, and this recipe is safe and fun for them to help prepare.

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Lemon Truffles Recipe

Lemon Truffles Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Delightful Lemon Truffles dance with zesty charm, combining creamy white chocolate and tangy citrus notes. Sweet indulgence melts smoothly, offering pure citrus-infused bliss that leaves you craving another delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fluid ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g / 10.5 ounces) powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Coating Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) white chocolate, melted (optional)
  • ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 ounces) powdered sugar or finely crushed graham crackers
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Whip the softened butter in a spacious mixing vessel until silky and aerated, creating a light foundational texture.
  2. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest into the butter, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
  3. Gradually fold in powdered sugar and a delicate pinch of salt, stirring meticulously until the blend transforms into a malleable, smooth dough-like substance.
  4. Encase the mixture with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator, allowing it to chill and solidify for approximately 1-2 hours.
  5. Using a small scoop or spoon, extract portions of the chilled mixture and roll between your palms, crafting uniform, delicate spheres.
  6. Arrange the formed truffles on a parchment-lined tray, ensuring they do not touch.
  7. Select your preferred coating: either dust the truffles generously with powdered sugar or gently roll them in crushed graham crackers for a textural exterior.
  8. For an elegant white chocolate finish, carefully immerse each truffle in melted white chocolate, allowing excess to drip away.
  9. While the chocolate coating remains glossy, sprinkle a hint of lemon zest atop each truffle for visual appeal and intensified citrus essence.
  10. Return the coated truffles to the refrigerator, permitting them to set and firm for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  11. Serve chilled or allow to rest at ambient temperature for a softer, more indulgent experience.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth mixing and easy incorporation with other ingredients.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the most vibrant, bright citrus flavor that elevates the entire truffle.
  • Chill the mixture thoroughly to make rolling easier and prevent sticky hands during the shaping process.
  • Experiment with coating variations like toasted coconut, finely chopped pistachios, or colored sanding sugar for visual appeal and texture contrast.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace graham cracker coating with ground almonds or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
  • Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
  • Create mini truffles for bite-sized desserts perfect for parties or gift-giving by using less mixture per ball.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 196
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 38 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg

Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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