Lemon Posset Dessert Recipe

The Lemon Posset Dessert is the kind of show-stopping treat that feels impossibly elegant, but comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Silky smooth, wonderfully tangy, and beautifully creamy, every spoonful practically melts in your mouth and delivers a luscious burst of fresh lemon flavor, making it the perfect finale for any meal.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe that something as luxurious as Lemon Posset Dessert calls for just a handful of ingredients, but it’s true! Each element plays an essential role in getting that signature velvety-smooth, citrus-bright finish. Here’s how each one helps build the perfect posset:

• Heavy Whipping Cream (at least 33% fat): The true secret to the posset’s melt-in-your-mouth richness—don’t try to swap for lighter cream!
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps the cream set—fine sugar dissolves fastest for the smoothest texture.
• Lemon Zest: Packs the cream with intense, aromatic citrus flavor before straining for a silky finish.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: The magic ingredient that thickens the posset and gives it that bright, tart tang.

Variations

What’s more delightful than a recipe that encourages you to play with flavors? Lemon Posset Dessert is fabulously flexible—try these creative twists to suit your mood, pantry, or dietary needs.

• Citrus Swap: Trade lemon for orange, blood orange, grapefruit, or even tangerine for a fun, colorful spin on the classic posset.
• Dairy-Free: Use a full-fat coconut cream or high-quality plant-based cream to experiment with a vegan-friendly version (though results may vary).
• Herbal Infusions: Add a sprig of rosemary, basil, or a few crushed cardamom pods to the cream as it heats for a fragrant, sophisticated flourish.
• Boozy Twist: Stir in a splash of limoncello or elderflower liqueur with the lemon juice for a grown-up, dinner-party delight.

How to Make Lemon Posset Dessert

Step 1: Gently Heat the Cream and Sugar

Start by pouring your heavy whipping cream and sugar into a medium saucepan. Place it over medium heat and stir gently and constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Look for fine, steady bubbles forming around the edges—once you see that, immediately take it off the heat to avoid any boiling or scorching.

Step 2: Add Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice

With the hot cream mixture off the heat, stir in your freshly grated lemon zest and squeeze in the lemon juice. You’ll see the mixture start to thicken almost instantly—this is where the citrus magic happens!

Step 3: Cool, Strain, and Portion

Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes to avoid condensation. Then, strain it through a fine mesh sieve into small cups, ramekins, or if you’re feeling playful, hollowed-out lemon shells. This step guarantees that dreamy, ultra-smooth texture Lemon Posset Dessert is famous for.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Allow the possets to cool a bit more at room temperature, cover with plastic wrap, then pop them into the refrigerator. They’ll need at least an hour to set fully—though you can refrigerate them for up to three days, making them an effortless make-ahead dessert.

How to Serve Lemon Posset Dessert

Garnishes

Serve up a burst of color and flavor by topping your Lemon Posset Dessert with delicate curls of lemon zest, a few fresh raspberries or blueberries, or even an edible flower. A dainty sprig of mint also adds a lovely, fragrant finish—let your senses (and your spice rack) guide you!

Side Dishes

Lemon Posset plays especially well alongside crisp, delicate sides. Shortbread cookies or biscotti are classic dunking partners, or try serving little almond tuiles for a sophisticated touch. For a summery table, arrange bowls of seasonal berries nearby for guests to help themselves.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunningly whimsical look, set your Lemon Posset Dessert inside hollowed-out lemon halves—scooped just enough to hold the creamy filling. Clear stemless glasses, vintage teacups, or miniature mason jars also showcase the pale, sunshiny color for maximum visual appeal at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Lemon Posset Dessert covered in the fridge, where it will stay perfectly silky and set for up to three days. Glass ramekins or small cups work best—avoid storing directly in lemon shells if holding more than a day, as they may start to release liquid and soften the texture.

Freezing

While technically possible, freezing Lemon Posset Dessert is not recommended. The delicate cream can separate or turn grainy as it thaws—so for best results, plan to enjoy it freshly chilled from the fridge.

Reheating

Lemon Posset Dessert should always be served cold and never reheated. If it has been chilled for a while and feels a bit too firm, just bring it out to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes for the ideal spoonable texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking a dessert that’s pure sunshine in a cup—with all the elegance of a restaurant ending but little more effort than boiling a kettle—the Lemon Posset Dessert is your answer. I hope you’ll give it a try and experience how its sweet-tart silkiness can light up even the simplest occasion!

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