Silky Lemon Dream

Welcome to a culinary journey that promises elegance with astonishing ease! This Lemon Posset recipe delivers a truly delightful, velvety smooth, and utterly refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion, especially those warm summer days. Crowned with a medley of fresh, vibrant berries, its sweet and tangy profile is guaranteed to captivate your taste buds and earn rave reviews from family and friends. Forget spending hours in the kitchen; this simple yet sophisticated treat requires just three core ingredients and minimal effort, making it your ultimate go-to dessert for effortless entertaining.

Discover the Enchanting World of Lemon Posset

If you’re new to the magic of posset, prepare to be charmed. This classic English dessert boasts a rich history, evolving from a spiced, curdled beverage in medieval times to the refined, chilled treat we adore today. Modern lemon posset is a testament to culinary simplicity and elegance, crafted from just heavy cream, granulated sugar, and fresh lemons. The resulting texture is a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience, often compared to a luxurious mousse or a silky-smooth pudding, but with a unique, light consistency that is entirely its own. It’s an unexpectedly easy dessert that belies its sophisticated appearance and incredible flavor.

Why This Lemon Posset Recipe Will Become Your Summer Favorite

Imagine serving an elegant, rich, and intensely flavored dessert that took mere minutes of active preparation. That’s the promise of our Lemon Posset. This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s effortlessly brilliant. Here’s why it’s set to become a staple in your dessert repertoire:

Unbelievably Simple Ingredients: You only need three main components – heavy cream, sugar, and lemons. That’s it! No eggs, no gelatin, no cornstarch required. The magic happens through a natural curdling process.
Velvety Smooth Texture: The beauty of posset lies in its exquisite consistency. It’s lusciously creamy, incredibly smooth, and melts delicately on the tongue, leaving a refreshing lemony tang.
Bright & Zesty Flavor: Fresh lemons are the star, providing a vibrant, invigorating citrus kick that perfectly balances the richness of the cream. It’s wonderfully sweet, but the lemon ensures it’s never cloying.
Perfect for Summer Entertaining: Light, chilled, and refreshing, this dessert is an absolute dream for warm weather gatherings. It can be made well in advance, freeing you up to enjoy time with your guests.
Naturally Gluten-Free: For those with dietary restrictions, this simple dessert naturally fits a gluten-free lifestyle, making it a crowd-pleaser for almost everyone.

Essential Ingredients for Your Lemon Posset

The beauty of this Lemon Posset truly lies in its minimal ingredient list. Quality matters here, as each component plays a crucial role in achieving that signature smooth texture and vibrant flavor.

Heavy Cream: This is the foundation of your posset. Opt for heavy cream (also known as heavy whipping cream) with at least 36% milk fat. The high fat content is essential for the posset to set properly and achieve its luxurious, velvety consistency. Do not substitute with lighter creams or half-and-half, as they will not yield the same results.
Granulated Sugar: Standard white granulated sugar is all you need to sweeten the posset and balance the tartness of the lemon. It dissolves easily in the hot cream, contributing to the smooth final texture.
Lemons (Fresh is Key!): This is where the magic happens. You’ll need both the zest and the juice of fresh lemons.
- Lemon Zest: The zest contains the essential oils of the lemon, providing a profound aromatic flavor that infuses into the cream during cooking. Always use a microplane or fine grater to get just the bright yellow part, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable for this recipe. Bottled lemon juice simply won’t deliver the same bright, fresh, and complex flavor profile. The acidity in the lemon juice is what causes the cream to thicken and set, creating the posset’s unique structure.
Fresh Berries for Topping (Optional, but Highly Recommended): While optional, a vibrant topping of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds a beautiful splash of color, a delightful textural contrast, and a complementary burst of fruity sweetness and tartness that elevates the dessert.

Crafting Your Perfect Lemon Posset: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this sophisticated dessert is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a flawless, delectable Lemon Posset every time.

Step 1: Infuse and Reduce the Cream

In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and lemon zest. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to ensure the sugar fully dissolves. Continue boiling, maintaining a watchful eye, for approximately 8 to 12 minutes. The goal is to reduce the mixture to exactly 2 cups. This reduction process concentrates the flavors and is crucial for the posset’s final texture and ability to set. If the mixture threatens to boil over, simply lift the pan off the heat for a moment, then return it to continue simmering. Keep stirring to prevent scorching at the bottom.

Step 2: Incorporate the Lemon Juice and Cool

Once your cream mixture has reduced to the precise 2-cup volume, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon juice will begin the magic, reacting with the hot cream to initiate the thickening process. Allow the mixture to cool slightly at room temperature for about 20 minutes. During this time, a thin “skin” may form on the surface, which is completely normal. This brief cooling period is important before straining to ensure the posset sets beautifully.

Step 3: Strain and Portion for Setting

After the mixture has cooled for 20 minutes, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or measuring cup. This step removes the lemon zest and any “skin” that may have formed, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and luscious posset. Discard the strained zest. Now, evenly divide the silky mixture into six individual serving glasses, small jars (like 4 oz. mini Ball jars), or ramekins. The small portions are ideal as posset is quite rich, offering a perfect, satisfying serving size.

Step 4: Chill to Perfection

Place your portioned possets in the refrigerator, uncovered, for a minimum of 3 hours. This chilling time is essential for the posset to fully set and achieve its firm yet delicate texture. Once completely chilled and set (after 3 hours), you can cover each portion with plastic wrap if you plan to store them. They will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making them an ideal make-ahead dessert.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, allow the lemon possets to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This slight warming helps to enhance their creamy texture and bring out the full depth of their flavor. Generously garnish each posset with your favorite fresh berries. A mix of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries not only adds vibrant color but also provides a lovely contrast in taste and texture. Consider serving alongside delicate shortbread cookies for an extra touch of indulgence – it’s a truly fabulous combination!

This Lemon Posset is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. Its refreshing nature and straightforward preparation make it a repeat performer in our beach house kitchen all summer long. When guests arrive, I can whip this up without feeling like I’m slaving over a complicated recipe, leaving plenty of time for fun and conversation. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you’ll be delighted. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to leave a comment below. Enjoy every blissful bite!

Expert Tips for a Flawless Lemon Posset

Achieving the perfect lemon posset is all about a few key details. Here are some invaluable cook’s notes to ensure your dessert turns out perfectly every time:

Precision in Reduction: The most critical step is boiling the cream, sugar, and lemon zest mixture for exactly 8-12 minutes until it reduces to precisely 2 cups. This exact reduction is vital for the posset to thicken and set properly without the need for additional gelling agents. Using a liquid measuring cup to check the volume after boiling is highly recommended.
Cooling Before Straining: Don’t skip the 20-minute cooling period after adding the lemon juice and before straining. This allows the mixture to stabilize slightly. Straining through a fine-mesh sieve is crucial to remove all the lemon zest and any thin “skin” that may have formed, ensuring an incredibly smooth and silky final product.
Perfect Portion Sizes: Lemon posset is inherently rich, so individual servings are key. I found that 4 oz. mini Ball jars, filled with about 1/3 cup of the mixture, provided the perfect, satisfying portion without being overly indulgent. Small ramekins or elegant glasses also work beautifully.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings: While fresh berries are a classic and delicious topping, consider other garnishes. A thin sprig of fresh mint or a delicate wafer cookie can add a touch of elegance. For an extra special treat, serving it alongside crisp shortbread cookies creates a delightful textural and flavor contrast that is simply irresistible. The buttery crunch of the cookie beautifully complements the creamy, tangy posset.
Make Ahead Magic: This dessert is a dream for meal prep or entertaining. It holds up beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two days, making it an excellent choice for parties or when you want to have a quick, elegant dessert on hand. Just remember to cover it with plastic wrap once it has fully set to prevent a skin from forming.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Posset

What exactly is a Lemon Posset?

A Lemon Posset is a traditional English dessert made primarily from heavy cream, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon juice naturally thickens the cream mixture as it cools, resulting in a rich, velvety, and intensely flavored custard-like dessert without the use of eggs or gelatin. It’s known for its wonderfully smooth texture and bright, tangy citrus taste.

Can I make Lemon Posset ahead of time?

Absolutely! Lemon Posset is an ideal make-ahead dessert. In fact, it needs to chill for at least 3 hours to set properly. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance. Once fully set, cover the individual portions with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for dinner parties or when you want a quick, elegant treat ready to go.

How long does Lemon Posset last in the refrigerator?

Once prepared and chilled, Lemon Posset can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days. For the best flavor and texture, it’s best enjoyed within this timeframe.

Is it okay to use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

While technically possible, it is strongly recommended to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for this recipe. Bottled lemon juice often contains preservatives and lacks the bright, nuanced flavor and acidity profile of fresh lemons, which is essential for both taste and the setting process of the posset.

What if my Lemon Posset doesn’t set?

The most common reason for a posset not setting is insufficient reduction of the cream mixture or not enough lemon juice. Ensure you accurately measure the cream mixture after boiling to exactly 2 cups. Also, verify that you used the correct amount of fresh lemon juice. Sometimes, slight variations in cream fat content or lemon acidity can affect the set. If it’s still too loose after extended chilling, it can sometimes be gently reheated, boiled again (briefly, to reduce further), and then re-chilled, though this might slightly alter the texture.

Can I add other flavors to a posset?

While lemon is traditional, you can experiment! Lime posset is a popular variation. Other citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits can be used, though the acidity levels might differ, potentially affecting the set. For non-citrus flavors, you might need to incorporate a small amount of gelatin to help it set, as the natural curdling power would be absent.

More Delicious Summer Dessert Recipes to Savor

Looking for more ways to sweeten your summer? Here are a few other delightful recipes that are perfect for warm days and joyful gatherings:

Simple Strawberry Cake – A classic, comforting cake bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.

Buttermilk Strawberry Sherbet – A refreshingly tart and sweet frozen treat.

Traeger Blackberry Lime Slump – A unique, smoky twist on a classic fruit dessert.

Lemon Posset Recipe

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

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This Lemon Posset is a quick and tasty summery dessert that’s velvety smooth and totally refreshing. Top it with fresh berries and it’s sweet and tangy and sure to please!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 32 mins

Chilling Time: 3 hrs

Total Time: 37 mins

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon zest, grated
6 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 1/2 cups strawberries, blueberries, blackberries (for topping)

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine cream, sugar, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue boiling, stirring often until sugar is dissolved. If mixture starts to boil over, carefully remove from heat. Continue to boil until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 8-12 minutes.
Remove mixture from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Cool mixture slightly until a thin skin forms on top, about 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Discard zest. Divide the mixture into 6 individual glasses, jars, or ramekins.
Refrigerate uncovered for 3 hours until set. Once mixture has chilled for 3 hours, each portion can be covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh berries.

Notes

It is important to boil the cream, sugar, and lemon zest mixture for 8-12 minutes to reduce it to 2 cups exactly before adding the lemon juice.
The mixture will need to cool for 20 minutes before straining to remove any zest in addition to any skin that has formed.
You’ll need to portion the posset into six individual servings. I used 4 oz. mini Ball jars and filled each with 1/3 cup. The dessert is very rich, so 1/3 cup was just the perfect size.
I topped each portion with a few fresh berries and served with shortbread cookies. Fabulous combo!

Nutrition

Keyword: easy recipe, lemons, pudding, summer

Cuisine: English

Course: Dessert

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Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated All-Time Best Spring Recipes