Lemon Posset (The Easiest Dessert Ever!)
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Have you ever heard of Lemon Posset? Run, don’t walk to the nearest grocery store pick up some cream…and some lemons!
That’s it, seriously…well and a bit of sugar. I kid you not, Lemon Posset is one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. It’s DEFINITELY the easiest and fastest.
(This post was originally published on July 31st, 2013. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
A few years ago I was researching pub food for a catering company. Not traditional pub food, like cottage pie or sausage rolls, but fancier gastro pub food. I stumbled across the website of a gastropub just outside of London and was a bit taken back by the menu. Scanning down to the puddings, (desserts) out popped….Posset! “What IS this posset?”
What is posset?
Possets were originally used for medicinal purposes, as the The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as a, “drink made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or other alcoholic liquor and typically flavored with spices, drunk as a delicacy or as a remedy for colds.” While the Folger Shakespeare Library describes it as having eggs and being similar to our modern day eggnog. We do know that posset has been around for hundreds of years and that Shakespeare refers to possets in several of his plays, including this line from The Merry Wives of Windsor…
“yet be cheerful knight: thou shalt eat a posset to-night at my house; Where I will desire thee to laugh at my wife.”
After researching several posset recipes online, my head was swimming in disbelief!
What is posset made from?
While old versions of posset used ale or wine to instead of citrus, most modern possets use citrus. Lemon, sugar and cream. Could a dessert with just THREE ingredients really be THAT good? Yep, that’s it. I was still a bit skeptical…no cornstarch…no flour…no eggs? While this recipe is made with Eureka lemons, you can easily make a Meyer lemon posset. If you’re using Meyer lemons, which tend to be sweeter, you can reduce the sugar slightly if you wish.
How does a posset set?
Well, that’s where the citrus comes in! After boiling the sugar and the cream together, you add the lemon juice and zest. The lemon juice causes a reaction with the cream resulting in it setting up. The resulting texture is smooth and creamy very similar to a panna cotta.
What’s the difference between panna cotta and posset?
Panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italian. The difference between panna cotta and posset is that panna cotta uses gelatin, and posset relies on the acid in citrus to help it set. Here’s a recipe for Vanilla Panna Cotta.
Can a posset be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, while posset only takes a few minutes on the stove, it does require at least an hour or two in the fridge to set. It can even be made the day or night before you are going to serve it.
How long does lemon posset last?
While it only lasts about 3 days in the refrigerator, it never lasts that long around here, as the portions are small, and the recipe only makes 6 servings. This is a rich dessert. So you can also make the portions a bit smaller and serve 8, especially if you add a bit of fruit on top of each serving.
How do You Make Posset?
First zest one lemon. You should get about 2 teaspoons. Next, juice the lemon. You should get about 5 Tablespoons of lemon juice.
Bring the cream and sugar to a boil over a medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and continue stirring cream and sugar for 3 minutes, watch the heat and lower if needed to avoid the cream boiling over. Remove cream mixture from heat. Add zest and juice and let cool for about 10 minutes. (This is especially important if you are going to be transferring the Lemon Posset into crystal glasses.)
Can you make sugar free posset?
Absolutely! I wondered if a dessert this easy could be made sugar free! For a sugar free posset which is also low carb and keto friendly, I just substitute erythritol for the sugar. There is virtually no taste difference! Here’s my low-carb posset recipe.
What Can You Serve With Posset?
Lemon Posset is the perfect backdrop for just about anything! Top each serving with a sliver of lemon, a few raspberries, blueberries or blackberries and a spring of fresh mint, or perhaps a shortbread biscuit!
I hope you enjoy the delicious simplicity this Lemon Posset soon!
Here’s my Lavender, Honey and Orange Posset for a deliciously floral take on the original recipe.
Love lime? Try Lime Posset with graham cracker crumbs!
A note about sugar!
Two or three readers have commented that it’s “too sweet” with 3/4 cup of sugar. If you prefer a tarter dessert, try 1/2 cup or 2/3 cup!
Lemon Posset
Ingredients
- 16 ounces heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar (5.25 ounces)
- 5 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice and zest about one large lemon
Instructions
- Bring cream and sugar to boil over a medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium, and boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly, adjusting heat as needed to prevent mixture from boiling over. Remove from heat.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest and let sit for 10 minutes to cool.
- Stir mixture again and divide among six ramekins or glasses.
- Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and chill until set, 1 hour or overnight.
- Allow to set completely before garnishing Garnish with fresh berries or mint.
Video
Notes
- Note: a few readers have said that it is "too sweet" with 3/4 cup. If you prefer a tarter flavor, I'd suggest cutting the sugar back to 1/2 cup.
- Meyer lemons can be used when they are in season.
- This recipe can easily be doubled.
This has become one of my “go-to” recipes! I always have the ingredients, and it’s easy and delicious!
This is such a wonderfully refreshing summer treat! Absolutely love how creamy and lemon-y it is.
My nana used to make lemon posset every Sunday. One of my favourite desserts!
that’s awesome! you must be British!
True story, I had never heard of these before, and I am definitely making up for lost time now!
Crazy how simple it is! Thanks!
This was my first time making posset, and it is absolutely lovely! It tastes so clean and refreshing. I’m intrigued by the Shakespeare connection, too. Thanks for the background info!
you’re welcome! Thank you!
Served at a recent baby shower and WOW – it was gone within minutes. A fan favorite and the beautiful color matched the decor.
It is perfect for a baby shower! Awesome!
Delicious and easy to make lemon dessert. I’m a fan
Thank you!
I made this using erythritol. I is excessively sweet. What can I do to fix it.
I have a low carb version, It uses less erythritol.I wish you hadn’t given me a poor rating since you changed the recipe! Here’s the link to the low-carb version which uses less erythritol. https://whatagirleats.com/sugar-free-pudding-lemon-custard/
That recipe calls for exactly the same amount of sweetener. If she had followed the linked recipe, she’d be in the same boat. Also, you call the other one a custard, but there are no eggs….quite confusing.
Sorry, I’m not sure what “that recipe” is? The reason I call the other one “sugar free custard” is because no one is searching for “sugar free posset”, but I could add, “egg free custard” for more clarity. Your comment is confusing, what “She” are you referring to?
Use less erythritol or more lemon juice.
I read about lemon posset in a book and had to google it because I had never heard about it. Since then I’ve made it several times whenever I’ve heavy cream left over and I simply love it. A friend of mine gets always gets their share and raves about it. So thank you for the recipe!!!
Thank you for this delicious recipe.
As I grew up with Italian cuisine, I can only confirm that its texture is similar to that of the panna cotta.
But only when the panna cotta is prepared the traditional way, without gelatin.
Thank you! I love hearing that!
What would happen if I use 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream? That’s what I have on hand, and the temperature outside is -14, so I don’t want to venture out! We had lemon posset at our local British bakery yesterday, and it was amazing!
I have never tried it with 1/2 and 1/2, so I’m not sure. You can try it? Let me know how it turns out!
Thank you! I waited till I could venture out to the store, and did it correctly, so no update about 1/2 and 1/2.
We first had it at our new British bakery, and loved it! So I googled and found your recipe….just as good! Thank you so much!
OMG, this is orgasmic! Thank you. I had never heard of posset and needed a gluten free dessert for a dinner party. This elevated the whole meal. I cut the sugar back marginally as I prefer things a bit more tart. Thank you for this recipe that will now be my ‘company’ dessert.
Lol! Thank you!
Posset-ively fabulous recipe – love that it’s so simple and with a few good ingredients puts together a super dessert in no time.
Thank you so much!
I’ve never heard of possett dessert before so I made this and I served it. omg it was amazing, then I did add berry coulis to it also; It was so good!!
yes, a berry coulis is perfect! Thanks so much!
Made for the first time tonight. Doubled the recipe and I love it. However, I am sharing it with some British friends tomorrow and I am looking forward to their comments!!!
thanks so much Gwyneth! I hope they enjoy it!
So easy! This recipe helped a lot. Had to make it for my Shakespeare project so good.
The ingredients are also easy to get a hold of.
Thank you rachel! So awesome you made it for a Shakespeare project! I’ll bet everyone was impressed! I’d love it if you could give it a star rating too! Thank you!
One of my favourite desserts and it always comes out perfectly every time.
It’s definitely a great recipe to have in your repertoire!
Love Lemon Posset! This looks absolutely fantastic. Such a delicious and easy dessert with only a handful of ingredients.
Yes, so simple! THanks!
Citrus flavors are my favorite. This dessert is so easy to make and refreshing for the season. Presentation perfect.
thank you!
I adore lemon possett! This recipe is just like I had at my favorite restaurant.
it’s very popular in London!
Wow! So easy and so tasty! Going on high rotation!
Five stars because I love lemon, and it’s incredibly easy! I allowed it to boil for a few minutes longer (at the advice of a Brit friend), and it still came out perfect. It seems like it may take some practice to judge the amount of sugar for the size and type of lemons you have available. I could eat a whole recipe with a basket of berries! Thank you.
Thanks John! I don’t think you really need to boil it for any longer than I recommended. As for the sugar, I have the measurements, so no guessing!
Love the recipe or lemon posset!!! is easy and few ingredients. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Perfect summer dessert! We made it for the first time yesterday and I was blown away at how easy this is to make and how creamy and zingy the final result was! Superb!