Le gâteau dunes citron spéculoos facile et délicieux ! 🍋

Le gâteau dunes citron spéculoos facile et délicieux ! 🍋 is a medium French recipe that serves 12. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Il était une fois la pâtisserie on YouTube.

Prep: 40 min | Cook: 12 hrs 15 min | Total: 13 hrs 15 min

Cost: $42.53 total, $3.54 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 Eggs (large, room temperature)
  • 150 g Granulated Sugar (for lemon curd)
  • 120 ml Fresh Lemon Juice (about 3-4 lemons, freshly squeezed)
  • 2 tsp Lemon Zest (reserved from the lemons used for juice)
  • 30 g Unsalted Butter (cut into cubes, melted for lemon curd)
  • 6 Gelatin Sheets (softened in cold water, for lemon mousse)
  • 300 ml Heavy Cream (minimum 30% fat, very cold)
  • 1 drop Food‑grade Yellow Coloring (optional, for brighter lemon color)
  • 4 Egg Whites (room temperature)
  • 100 g Powdered Sugar (for financier biscuit)
  • 30 g All‑Purpose Flour (sifted)
  • 30 g Almond Flour (fine, for financier biscuit)
  • 80 g Unsalted Butter (for financier) (melted to a nutty brown color, then cooled)
  • 200 g Speculoos Spread (store‑bought speculoos paste)
  • 100 ml Whole Milk (for speculoos mousse)
  • 4 Gelatin Sheets (speculoos mousse) (softened in cold water)
  • 150 g Speculoos Biscuits (crushed to fine crumbs for crunchy base)
  • 80 g Unsalted Butter (for base) (melted, mixed with biscuit crumbs)

Instructions

  1. Soak Gelatin for Lemon Mousse

    Place 6 gelatin sheets in a bowl of cold water and let soften for 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Make Lemon Curd

    In a saucepan combine 4 eggs, 150 g sugar and 120 ml fresh lemon juice. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and reaches a gentle boil; continue for about 30 seconds.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  3. Incorporate Gelatin and Butter

    Remove the saucepan from heat, squeeze excess water from the gelatin and stir it in until fully dissolved. Then whisk in 30 g melted butter. Finally, strain the curd through a fine mesh sieve to remove any cooked egg bits.

    Time: PT3M

  4. Whip Cream for Lemon Mousse

    Chill the mixing bowl, whisk, and cream. Whip 300 ml heavy cream until soft peaks form.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Fold Cream into Lemon Curd

    Add the reserved lemon zest to the curd, then gently fold in the whipped cream using a spatula, adding the cream in two batches. If desired, add a drop of yellow food coloring.

    Time: PT4M

  6. Set Lemon Mousse

    Pour the lemon mousse into the Dor de Guidemarle mold, smooth the top, and place the mold in the freezer for 1 hour.

    Time: PT1H

  7. Prepare Financier Biscuit

    Melt 80 g butter in a saucepan until it turns a light nutty (beurre noisette) colour, then let it cool. In a bowl, whisk 4 egg whites with 100 g powdered sugar until frothy, fold in sifted 30 g flour and 30 g almond flour, then add the cooled butter and mix to a homogeneous batter.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Bake Financier

    Pour the batter into a 22 cm silicone round mold (no greasing needed) and bake at 180°C for 15 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 180°C

  9. Cool Financier

    Remove the biscuit from the oven, let it cool completely on a wire rack before using.

    Time: PT15M

  10. Soak Gelatin for Speculoos Mousse

    Soften 4 gelatin sheets in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Melt Speculoos Paste

    In a small saucepan gently heat 200 g speculoos spread with 100 ml milk, stirring until smooth and fully melted.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: Low heat

  12. Add Gelatin to Speculoos Base

    Remove from heat, squeeze excess water from the gelatin and stir it into the warm speculoos mixture until dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Whip Cream for Speculoos Mousse

    Whip 200 ml heavy cream until it reaches a soft‑firm consistency (just thick enough to hold shape).

    Time: PT5M

  14. Combine Speculoos and Cream

    Fold the whipped cream into the cooled speculoos‑gelatin mixture in two additions, mixing gently until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT4M

  15. Layer Speculoos Mousse over Lemon Mousse

    Remove the lemon mousse mold from the freezer. Pour the speculoos mousse over the set lemon layer, spreading evenly with a spatula.

    Time: PT5M

  16. Add Financier Biscuit

    Place the cooled financier biscuit on top of the speculoos mousse, pressing lightly to adhere and eliminate air pockets.

    Time: PT3M

  17. Prepare Crunchy Speculoos Base

    In a food processor, pulse 150 g speculoos biscuits into fine crumbs, add 80 g melted butter and blend until a dough forms.

    Time: PT5M

  18. Form Base Layer

    Press the biscuit‑butter dough onto the bottom of the assembled cake (inside the mold) to a thickness of about 3 mm, smoothing with the back of a spoon.

    Time: PT3M

  19. Final Freeze

    Cover the mold and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight preferred) to set all layers firmly.

    Time: PT4H

  20. Demould and Chill

    Run a thin knife around the edges, gently release the cake from the mold, and transfer to a serving plate. Refrigerate for 7 hours (or overnight) before serving to allow the mousse to soften slightly.

    Time: PT7H

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
22 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains nuts, Contains dairy

Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Butter, Almonds, Wheat (speculoos biscuits), Gelatin

Last updated: April 7, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

Le gâteau dunes citron spéculoos facile et délicieux ! 🍋

Recipe by Il était une fois la pâtisserie

A refined French entremet featuring a bright lemon mousse, a creamy Speculoos mousse, a light almond-financier biscuit, and a crunchy Speculoos base. The cake is assembled in layers, frozen, and finished with a smooth finish for an elegant dessert.

MediumFrenchServes 12

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
13h 17m
Prep
23m
Cook
1h 38m
Cleanup
15h 18m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$42.53
Total cost
$3.54
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Soaking and fully dissolving gelatin without overheating
  • Achieving the correct thickness for lemon curd before adding gelatin
  • Whipping cream while everything is thoroughly chilled
  • Folding cream into curd/mousse gently to keep air
  • Baking the financier to a light golden color without over‑browning
  • Pressing the crunchy base to an even 3 mm layer
  • Freezing long enough for clean demoulding

Safety Warnings

  • Handle hot saucepan with care to avoid burns.
  • Do not overheat gelatin; it loses setting power.
  • Use a sharp knife when demoulding to avoid slipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of a lemon and speculoos entremet in French pastry tradition?

A

Entremets are classic French multi‑layered desserts that showcase refined techniques like gelatin setting and mousse preparation. Combining bright lemon with the caramel‑spiced speculoos reflects a modern twist on traditional French patisserie, marrying citrus freshness with the popular Belgian speculoos flavor.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of lemon‑flavored entremets in French cuisine?

A

In Provence, lemon desserts often feature lavender or orange blossom, while in the north, citrus is paired with caramel or almond. The speculoos addition is a contemporary adaptation inspired by Belgian cookies, not a historic French variation.

cultural
Q

How is a classic French entremet traditionally served and presented?

A

Entremets are usually unmolded onto a clean plate, sliced with a hot, wet knife for clean edges, and presented with a glossy glaze or fresh fruit. They are often accompanied by a light fruit coulis or a dusting of powdered sugar.

cultural
Q

During which French celebrations or occasions would a lemon and speculoos entremet be appropriate?

A

Entremets are popular for birthdays, weddings, and elegant dinner parties. The bright lemon makes it especially suitable for spring and summer gatherings, while the speculoos adds a comforting note for autumn celebrations.

cultural
Q

What makes the lemon and speculoos entremet special compared to other French desserts?

A

Its contrast of tangy lemon mousse, creamy speculoos mousse, light almond financier, and a crunchy speculoos crust creates a textural journey that is rare in traditional French pastries, which usually focus on a single mousse or ganache layer.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the lemon and speculoos entremet at home?

A

Common errors include overheating the gelatin, over‑whipping the cream, under‑baking the financier, and not allowing enough chilling time for the layers to set. Each of these can cause a runny texture or a cracked surface.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use gelatin instead of agar‑agar for the lemon mousse?

A

Gelatin provides a smooth, melt‑in‑the‑mouth texture that is traditional in French mousses. Agar‑agar sets more firmly and can give a grainy mouthfeel, which would change the delicate character of the lemon layer.

technical
Q

Can I make the lemon and speculoos entremet ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the crunchy base up to three weeks ahead and keep it frozen. Assemble the mousse layers and freeze the whole cake at least 4 hours before serving, then transfer to the refrigerator 7 hours before plating.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for to know the lemon mousse is correctly set?

A

The lemon mousse should be firm enough to hold its shape when the mold is tilted, yet still yield slightly to pressure. It should have a smooth, glossy surface without any visible cracks.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Il était une fois la pâtisserie specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Il était une fois la pâtisserie specializes in French patisserie tutorials, focusing on elegant cakes, entremets, and classic pastry techniques presented with clear step‑by‑step instructions.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Il était une fois la pâtisserie's approach to French pastry differ from other pastry channels?

A

Il était une fois la pâtisserie emphasizes precise technique, such as proper gelatin handling and temperature control, while also sharing practical tips for home bakers, like using silicone molds and offering cost‑effective ingredient alternatives.

channel

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Gâteau aux Noix (French Walnut Cake)
65

Gâteau aux Noix (French Walnut Cake)

A moist, intensely nutty French walnut cake with a delicate crust and a soft, tender crumb. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a birthday treat. Decorated simply with whole walnut halves, this cake is rich, aromatic, and easy to love.

1 hr 10 minServes 8$11
French
Gâteau Marbré au Yaourt Grec Recette Facile et Rapide
25

Gâteau Marbré au Yaourt Grec Recette Facile et Rapide

A light and fluffy marble cake made with Greek yogurt for extra moisture. The simple recipe uses just a few pantry staples, creates a beautiful marbled pattern, and is perfect for an afternoon tea or a quick dessert.

1 hrServes 8$5
French
Gâteau de Savoie facile et rapide : la recette de Mercotte !
10

Gâteau de Savoie facile et rapide : la recette de Mercotte !

A light, airy French Savoie cake (also called biscuit de Savoie) baked in a 22 cm round mold. The cake is buttery, slightly sweet, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or a simple dessert.

1 hr 7 minServes 8$2
French
Ftour Rapide ✨Brick & Chorba Tunisienne, Délicieux et Facile !🌙
3

Ftour Rapide ✨Brick & Chorba Tunisienne, Délicieux et Facile !🌙

A quick, authentic Tunisian meal featuring a fragrant chicken and bird's tongue pasta chorba (soup) paired with golden, flaky potato briques filled with tuna, sardines and a runny egg. Ready in just over two hours, this recipe captures the bold flavors of Tunisia while staying simple enough for a busy weeknight.

2 hrs 3 minServes 2$35
Tunisian
Gâteau Brioché aux Pommes Recette Facile et Rapide
2

Gâteau Brioché aux Pommes Recette Facile et Rapide

A light, fluffy brioche cake studded with sweet apple wedges. This French‑style dessert uses a simple yeasted dough that rises once, then bakes to a golden finish. Perfect for a quick sweet treat or a brunch centerpiece.

2 hrs 20 minServes 8$3
French
zellige (gâteau sans cuisson)
74

zellige (gâteau sans cuisson)

A rich, no‑bake Moroccan‑inspired cake made with dark and white chocolate, toasted almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds and sweetened condensed milk. The cake sets at room temperature and can be marbled for a beautiful visual effect. Perfect for celebrations or a decadent treat.

50 minServes 8$12
Moroccan