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Lemon Meringue Trifle

370

  • Prep Time35 min
  • Total Time1 h 30 min
  • Makes16 servings
*PLUS 8 hr chilling time
Lemon meringue trifle recipe

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Chatelaine Triple Tested

Looking for a great make-ahead desert? This lemon meringue trifle recipe improves over time as the ladyfingers soak in the limoncello & lemon juice.

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs

  • 8 egg yolks

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp lemon zest

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

Meringue

  • 6 egg whites

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/3 cup water

  • 1/4 cup corn syrup

  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp vanilla

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

  • 1/4 cup limoncello

  • 2 150-g pkgs ladyfingers, (not sugar-coated)

Instructions

  • LEMON Curd: Whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, lemon juice, zest and salt in a large bowl. Place bowl over a large pot with 1 in. of simmering water over medium. Beat, using an electric mixer on medium-low, until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 min. Remove from heat and beat in butter, 1 cube at a time, until pale and frothy, 1 to 2 min. Place plastic wrap directly onto surface of curd and refrigerate until cool, about 30 min.

  • MERINGUE TRIFLE: Whisk egg whites, sugar, water, corn syrup, cream of tartar and salt in a large metal bowl set over a large pot with 1 in. of simmering water over medium until sugar dissolves, about 3 min. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high, until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted, 7 to 9 min. Remove from heat. Beat in vanilla.

  • COMBINE lemon juice and limoncello (or alcohol-free version, below) in a small bowl. Quickly dunk half of the ladyfingers, 1 at a time, in limoncello mixture, then place in bottom of a 3-qt trifle bowl. Layer with half of the lemon curd, then half of the meringue. Repeat. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

  • TO serve, toast the top of the meringue with a kitchen torch, if desired. Garnish with candied lemon peel, if desired.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories 291, Protein 5g, Carbohydrates 50g, Fat 8g, Sodium 135mg.
Excellent source of vitamin B12 .

Kitchen Tips:

  • This is a great make-ahead dessert that actually improves as it sits and the ladyfingers soften, making it perfect for entertaining!
  • You will need 5 to 6 lemons to yield 1 cup lemon juice for this recipe.
  • Instead of using limoncello, make an alcohol-free lemon syrup by simmering 2 tbsp lemon juice with 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a small saucepan until sugar melts.
  • No trifle bowl? You can make this dessert in any large glass bowl.
  • Only need to serve 8 people? No problem, this recipe is easily halved. Just use a smaller glass bowl or vessel.
  • Go all-out and try it with our homemade limoncello recipe.

Get more of our festive trifle and pudding recipes.

Get more of our best citrus recipes.

Assorted cookies on a pink background with the words in white "Find more Christmas cookie recipes"

Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

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