This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (2024)

Both tangy and creamy, lemon posset is a delightful dessert that takes just three ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking. This popular British dessert is a wonderful anytime treat, something you can serve in the afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea, or at the end of a heavy meal.

Just be sure to plan ahead. Posset needs at least four hours in the refrigerator to set, so prep it in the morning or the night before so it has time to chill until it is time to serve.

What Is Lemon Posset?

Posset is a cold cream-based dessert found throughout the United Kingdom. Originally a drink made from hot milk and honey that was spiced and laced with ale or wine, posset was very popular in the Middle Ages as a remedy for colds and minor ailments, and as a sleep aid.

Later, it became a thickened cream dessert, usually flavored with honey or sugar and lemon, which is the most common recipe used nowadays. This is a great vegetarian dessert, as the mixture sets and thickens thanks to the acid in the lemon juice and not by the addition of gelatin as other, similar desserts do.

Maximize the Juice Yield from Lemons and Limes

Tips for the Perfect Lemon Posset

  • It's important to cook the heavy cream over low heat so you don't burn it. Keep a close eye on the pot since the mixture can go from simmering to a rolling boil quite suddenly. The simmering process removes water from the cream, leaving the fat, which will then react with the lemon juice and thicken into the posset.
  • Straining the lemon syrup to remove the zest is optional, but recommended for the smoothest, cleanest posset.

How to Serve Lemon Posset

This simple dessert is delicious as is, but you can certainly add some finishing touches for extra flavor and texture:

  • Top with berries or berry jam right before serving and decorate with a light sprinkle of confectioners' sugar.
  • Toast some almond slivers and add them along with a mint leaf as a decoration.
  • Scottish shortbread pairs wonderfully with lemon posset and is one of the most common ways of eating this cream. You can use any vanilla cookie you have at hand and layer crushed cookies with cream and fruit as if you were building a parfait.

What's the Difference Between Posset and Panna Cotta?

Both posset and panna cotta are cream-based desserts, but there is a key difference between the two. Whereas panna cotta uses gelatin to thicken and set, posset relies entirely on the citric acid found in lemon juice and other citrus fruits.

What You'll Need to Make This Lemon Posset Recipe

A Fantastic Microplane
A Great Saucepan
A Sweet Set of Ramekins

"Lemons truly shine in this sweet and tart posset. It was super easy to make and turned out incredibly luscious and creamy, but not too rich at all because of the citrus flavor. I can definitely see myself making it again for a dinner party." —Patty Lee

This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (5)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 large lemons

  • 2/3 cup superfine sugar

  • 2 cups double cream, or heavy cream

  • 1 cup raspberries, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (6)

  2. Finely grate the zest off of the lemons and juice the fruit, removing all seeds. You should get about 4 teaspoons of zest and 1/2 cup juice.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (7)

  3. Pour the 1/2 cup of lemon juice into a small saucepan. Add the grated zest and superfine sugar. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a slow, gentle simmer, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (8)

  4. In a medium-sized pot, bring the cream to a gentle boil over low heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Make sure to cook the cream slowly, as a fast boil will spoil the cream and split it. Remove from heat.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (9)

  5. Slowly whisk the lemon syrup into the hot cream. Strain the mixture into a clean measuring cup.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (10)

  6. Let the posset cool slightly and pour into small ramekins or glasses. Bring to room temperature.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (11)

  7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. The cream will become silky and thick.

    Remove from the refrigerator and leave at room temperature for at least 5 minutes before serving.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (12)

  8. Decorate with fresh berries and serve.

    This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (13)

Recipe Variations

Here are a few ideas on how to use our recipe as the base for other types of posset:

  • Citrus: Change the citrus flavor by using lime or orange juice instead of lemon. Mix different citrus flavors like lemons with clementines or limes and oranges. (Note that the posset may not set as firmly with less-acidic citrus fruits.)
  • Vanilla: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream and syrup mix. Be sparing because the vanilla can overpower and spoil the delicate lemon flavor.
  • Spices: Try a light grating of nutmeg or a pinch of ground ginger. For an autumnal feel, add atiny pinch of pumpkin spice.
  • Liquor: Add a dash of sweet wine, Madeira, ormead.Add the alcohol when whisking the syrup into the cream.
  • Chocolate: Add 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) of semisweet chocolate chips into the cream once you turn off the heat. Mix well until the chocolate is melted. Skip the lemon syrup but do make a simple syrup with water. Decorate with shaved chocolate.

British Dessert Recipes

  • Desserts
  • Summer Desserts
  • Citrus Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
375Calories
29g Fat
30g Carbs
3g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories375
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g37%
Saturated Fat 18g91%
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 22mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 30g11%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 21mg103%
Calcium 65mg5%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 145mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • lemon
  • dessert
  • british
  • mother's day

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!

This 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset Is Tart, Creamy, and Oh-So-Easy (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my lemon posset thicken? ›

If you don't cook it for at least 5 minutes, the posset won't set to a thick and creamy texture. Use fresh squeezed lemon juice: Squeeze the lemons yourself to get the freshest, tangy lemon flavor. Chill until set: Lemon posset needs at least a few hours in the fridge to set for a thick and creamy texture.

What is lemon posset made of? ›

Nothing could be easier than lemon posset - it's cream, sugar and lemon juice, stirred together. But doesn't it look fancy?

What is the meaning of posset? ›

noun. pos·​set ˈpä-sət. : a hot drink of sweetened and spiced milk curdled with ale or wine.

Is posset the same as panna cotta? ›

Both posset and panna cotta are cream-based desserts, but there is a key difference between the two. Whereas panna cotta uses gelatin to thicken and set, posset relies entirely on the citric acid found in lemon juice and other citrus fruits.

Why is my lemon custard not thickening? ›

Trouble shooting: Most Lemon Curds are runny because they don't get cooked long enough, to 170 degrees F, to thicken the egg yolks – so cook on! If your curd isn't thickened after 10 minutes, or up to 15 if using a double boiler, then increase the temperature of the stove slightly – and don't stop whisking!

How long does lemon posset keep in the fridge? ›

How long does lemon posset last? As long as the lemon posset is kept in the fridge it can last up to three days. You can even freeze lemon posset – just make sure to defrost for several hours before serving.

What is posset originally made of? ›

Introduction. To make the drink, milk was heated to a boil, then mixed with wine or ale, which curdled it, and spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon. It was considered a specific remedy for some minor illnesses, such as a cold, and a general remedy for others, as even today people drink hot milk to help them sleep.

What are the benefits of posset? ›

Posset 4 mg/500 mg/5 mg Tablet is a medicine used in the treatment of common cold symptoms. It provides relief from symptoms such as headache, sore throat, runny nose, muscular pain, and fever.

Does lemon posset contain gelatin? ›

Possets are no-bake and can be prepared several hours ahead of time. Today I'm checking back in with this divine lemon posset recipe. This traditional English dessert is a magical concoction of cream, lemons and sugar. Acidity from the lemon is what sets this dessert, without the need for any gelatine.

How old is lemon posset? ›

In 1888, Thomas Austin recycled a pair of late medieval cook books. Within their pages was a 14th–15th Century drink known as a 'posset. ' This drink is similar to the point of indistinguishable from syllabub. Syllabub was a loose drink of curdled cream in which the solids were allowed to rise to the surface.

What does clabber up mean? ›

If sour milk clabbers, or if you clabber it, it curdles (= becomes thick) : We use raw goats milk and allow it to clabber. The lemon juice will clabber the milk slightly. More examples. Cottage cheese is made by allowing the milk to clabber.

What is a synonym for posset? ›

What is another word for posset?
burpeructation
bolkgurk
riftventosity
belchhiccup

What does panna cotta literally mean? ›

Panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italy, and that's essentially what the base is: heated heavy cream (often with a little half-and-half or whole milk) set with powdered gelatin and flavored with vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.

Is panna cotta the same as creme brulee? ›

Creme brulee is thicker and creamier than panna cotta, which has a softer, more gelatinous consistency. Creme brulee is a baked dessert made with egg yolks, whereas panna cotta is cooked on the stovetop, without eggs.

Is panna cotta the same as milk pudding? ›

Panna cotta is essentially a sweet milk and cream mixture thickened and set with gelatin. If you're wondering how panna cotta and pudding are different, it's that panna cotta is ever so slightly thicker. Pudding doesn't hold its shape, though it is firm.

Why is my milk not curdling with lemon? ›

Tips: Before you add the acid, stir the milk so that the milk is moving when you add the acid. Don't stir the milk after you add the acid. Turn off the heat and wait up to 15 minutes for the curdle. It doesn't happen immediately.

Why does lemon posset split? ›

If you have either not enough buffers (fat and sugar) or happen to have an extraordinarily sour lemon, you will get curdling.

How do you thicken lemon wine sauce? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

Does lemon juice thicken cream? ›

After my sauce had reduced to about two cups, I took the pot off the heat. It was time for the secret weapon: lemon juice. Turns out, the acidity of the juice acts as a thickening agent, which reacts with the proteins in the dairy to increase the viscosity.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5951

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.