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4.63 from 8 votes
Lemon Posset in elegant dishes topped with raspberries
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Lemon Posset Recipe (3 Ingredients)
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
 

My Lemon Posset is a creamy, no-bake 3-ingredient dessert with bright lemon flavor—quick to make and perfect for effortless entertaining.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Servings: 5 people
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz/480 ml) heavy cream
  • ¾ cup (6 oz/171 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (2 ½ fl oz/75 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • Fresh berries , for serving
Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and sugar to a simmer while stirring constantly.

  2. Let the mixture gently simmer for 3 minutes, stirring frequently and adjusting the heat if need be so that the mixture doesn’t burn or boil over.

  3. Remove from the heat and let sit for 1 minute, then stir in the lemon juice and zest. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes without stirring.

  4. Give the posset a gentle stir, then divide among 5 small serving bowls.

  5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until cold and set.

  6. Serve with fresh berries! Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes
  • Posset's texture is somewhere between a mousse and a pudding; There are no thickening agents added to posset. Rather, it uses the citrus of the lemons to set itself! For this recipe, don’t make any adjustments. It is a delicate balance of heat, fat, sugar, and acid.
  • Use full-fat heavy cream only: Using lower-fat dairy could result in a split mixture.
  • Combining cream and lemon juice gives posset the ability to set. The acid in lemon juice causes the cream's proteins (caseins) to coagulate, creating a custard-like texture.
  • Add a floral twist with lavender. Stir a teaspoon or two of lavender buds into the cream and sugar while it’s heating. Strain out just before pouring into the serving bowls.
  • Sieve to remove lemon zest. It's not necessary, but do it if you want a perfectly smooth and silky posset.
  • If you like, serve the posset in scooped-out lemon halves. It makes a pretty, natural presentation.
  • Garnish if you desire. Besides berries, other favorite toppings include a drizzle of honey, candied lemon peel, mint leaves or edible flowers, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Serve with cookies: Shortbread is a perfect accompaniment to posset.
  • Make mini lemon pies: press my Graham Cracker Crust into the bottom of 5 serving bowls or ramekins. Top with the posset and chill.