Creamy Lemon Cream Chia Pudding Recipe

Zesty Lemon Cream Chia Pudding Recipe for Bright Mornings

Silky smooth and bursting with bright flavors, this lemon cream chia pudding recipe delivers a refreshing twist on a classic dessert.

chia seeds blend seamlessly with tangy citrus notes, creating a delightful texture that dances on your palate.

Each spoonful promises a creamy escape from ordinary puddings.

The zesty lemon infusion brings a vibrant energy to this simple yet sophisticated treat.

Rich with nutrients and incredibly easy to prepare, this pudding transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Whip up this delectable dessert and treat yourself to a burst of sunshine in a bowl.

Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious and healthy indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Lemon Cream Chia Pudding

For Base Ingredients:
  • Almond Milk: Creamy, plant-based liquid that provides smooth texture and mild nutty undertone for the pudding.
  • Chia Seeds: Tiny nutritional powerhouses packed with omega-3s that create pudding's signature gel-like consistency.
  • Lemon Zest: Bright citrus essential that adds vibrant, fresh flavor and aromatic complexity.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners that balance tartness and enhance overall taste profile.
  • Vanilla Extract: Warm, comforting flavor enhancer that deepens the pudding's underlying notes.
  • Salt: Subtle ingredient that amplifies and harmonizes all other flavor dimensions.
For Cream Layer Ingredients:
  • Coconut Cream: Rich, luxurious base that creates silky smooth texture and provides natural creaminess.
  • Lemon Juice: Tangy liquid that brightens the cream and adds refreshing citrus punch.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup: Additional sweetener to balance lemon's sharpness and create harmonious flavor.
  • Lemon Zest: Concentrated citrus essence that intensifies the cream's aromatic profile.
  • Turmeric: Optional golden spice that naturally enhances color and provides subtle earthy undertone.

Tool for Making Lemon Cream Chia Pudding Smooth

  • Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining chia seeds and ingredients.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and eliminating lumps.
  • Blender: Perfect for creating the creamy lemon topping with silky texture.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for consistent results.
  • Jars or Cups: Four clean containers for serving and chilling the pudding.
  • Zester or Grater: Helpful for extracting fresh lemon zest.
  • Spoon: Used for transferring and layering pudding into serving containers.

Easy Prep Steps for Lemon Cream Chia Pudding

  • Seed Mixture Preparation

Gather chia seeds and pour them into a mixing container with almond milk, adding fragrant lemon zest, sweet syrup, vanilla essence, and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir everything until the blend looks silky and consistent.

  • Resting Phase

Seal the bowl completely and let the mixture relax in the refrigerator for a minimum of sixty minutes or through the night for a perfect, smooth texture.

  • Creamy Topping Creation

Grab your blender and combine bright lemon juice, luxurious coconut cream, golden honey, extra lemon zest, and an optional touch of turmeric for a sunshine-like color. Whirl everything until the mixture transforms into a velvety liquid.

  • Layering Delight

Scoop the chilled chia pudding evenly into serving vessels, then gently cascade the zesty lemon cream across the top of each portion.

  • Final Chill

Return the prepared treats to the refrigerator for a few hours, allowing flavors to mingle and the pudding to become thoroughly cold and refreshing before serving.

Flavor Upgrades for Lemon Cream Chia Pudding

  • Swap almond milk with coconut, oat, or soy milk for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
  • Adjust honey or maple syrup quantity based on personal taste preferences. Less for a tangier dessert, more for a sweeter treat.
  • Sprinkle chopped almonds, chia seeds, or hemp hearts on top for added nutrition and delightful crunch.
  • Garnish with fresh blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries to enhance visual appeal and introduce complementary flavors.
  • Prepare pudding up to 4 days in advance, storing in sealed containers to enjoy a quick, refreshing breakfast or dessert anytime.

Serving Lemon Cream Chia Pudding with Style

  • Zesty Breakfast Delight: Top this pudding with fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries for a burst of color and tangy sweetness.
  • Morning Energy Boost: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes and sliced almonds on top to add crunch and extra nutritional value to your breakfast.
  • Elegant Dessert Presentation: Garnish with edible flowers like lavender or rose petals to transform this simple pudding into a sophisticated, Instagram-worthy treat that looks as amazing as it tastes.
  • Tropical Twist Option: Drizzle passion fruit puree or mango coulis over the pudding to introduce a vibrant, tropical flavor profile that complements the lemon's brightness.

Storage Tips for Lemon Cream Chia Pudding

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store pudding in airtight containers for maximum freshness, keeping them sealed in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days without compromising taste or texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare entire batch two days before serving, allowing flavors to develop and intensify while maintaining perfect creamy consistency.
  • Freezing Finesse: Pour prepared pudding into freezer-friendly containers, which can extend storage life up to two weeks – simply thaw in refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
  • Topping Tactics: Keep fresh garnishes like lemon zest, fresh berries, or chopped nuts separate until serving time to prevent soggy textures and maintain crisp, vibrant additional ingredients.
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Creamy Lemon Cream Chia Pudding Recipe

Creamy Lemon Cream Chia Pudding Recipe


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy lemon chia pudding showcases zesty citrus notes with a silky smooth texture. Refreshing dessert blends tangy lemons and nutrient-rich chia seeds, promising a delightful treat you’ll savor to the last spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) coconut cream
  • 1 cup (240 ml) almond milk
  • ⅔ cup (120 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • ¼ cup (40 g) chia seeds
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
  • 2 lemon zests
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp turmeric (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mixture Preparation: Vigorously whisk chia seeds, almond milk, lemon zest, honey, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl until ingredients are fully integrated and smooth, eliminating all potential clumps.
  2. Chilling and Setting: Cover the mixture with a sealed lid or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 90 minutes to overnight, allowing chia seeds to absorb liquid and transform into a creamy, luxurious pudding texture.
  3. Lemon Cream Creation: Blend lemon juice, coconut cream, honey, and optional ground turmeric in a blender until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with vibrant color and seamless incorporation.
  4. Assembly and Layering: Evenly distribute the set chia pudding into serving vessels, then carefully pour the lemon cream on top, using a spatula to ensure elegant, balanced coverage across each portion.
  5. Final Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate the layered puddings for an additional 2-3 hours to harmonize flavors, then garnish with optional lemon zest, honey drizzle, or fresh berries just before serving to enhance visual appeal and taste complexity.

Notes

Optimize Chia Seed Absorption: Whisk ingredients vigorously to prevent clumping and ensure even hydration, which creates a smoother, more consistent pudding texture.

Chill for Perfect Consistency: Refrigerate overnight to allow chia seeds to fully expand and develop a creamy, pudding-like consistency that’s both thick and luxurious.

Blend Lemon Cream Carefully: Use a blender to create an ultra-smooth topping, ensuring no lumps remain and achieving a silky, professional-quality cream layer.

Flavor Enhancing Tip: Add a pinch of ground turmeric for a vibrant color boost and subtle depth to the lemon cream topping, elevating the visual and taste experience.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 335
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 25 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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