5 Ingredients or Fewer

Lemon Posset

by:
February  7, 2010
4.7 Stars
Lemon Posset
Author Notes

I’ve been intrigued by Lemon Posset recipes for a while now. In Ye Olde English days of yore, it was a milk drink thickened with wine. My Posset recipe is so simple, as they all are, really. Using just three ingredients, it seems almost magical, setting up immediately. The wonders of food science in front of your very eyes. Curdled milk never tasted so good. —mrslarkin

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe is a wonder of science. It's the perfect thing for anyone who may be fearful of making custard but harbors a weakness -- as we do -- for this sort of milky, comforting, nursery-food. Flavor-wise, it's like a creamier, less aggressive version of lemon curd, and it's rich enough that a small amount goes a long way. Do be careful that the cream doesn't boil over -- we watched it like a hawk, but it still managed to catch us by surprise! - A&M —The Editors

Watch This Recipe
Lemon Posset
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 5 tablespoons lemon juice
In This Recipe
Directions
  1. In a small saucepan, heat cream and sugar to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Continue boiling for 5 minutes. Watch the heat - don’t let the cream boil over.
  2. Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let cool, about 15 minutes.
  3. Pour even amounts into four ramekins. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until set.
  4. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream, or shortbread cookies to dunk.
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186 Reviews

Hibatt
Hibatt December 24, 2021
This was the easiest dessert I have EVER made. But, it tastes like I spent hours on it. So good. I was afraid that the cream would scorch on the bottom of my stainless steel pan but it didn’t. How does that work? Yum, yum, yum…
 
gravityace
gravityace December 24, 2021
It's just the best. Elegant in its simplicity.
 
LULULAND
LULULAND July 4, 2020
Made yesterday. We loved it used a little less sugar, our meyer lemons. Will make again with lime juice, and zest. Thank you for the great recipe
 
Sarah C.
Sarah C. March 5, 2020
It's good but I cut the sugar.. taste when boiling you can add more sugar, of you need it. Also add extra juice . Works well with lime. Always a quick dessert when entertaining..
 
gravityace
gravityace November 25, 2019
Gosh this was good!
 
Paula H.
Paula H. November 12, 2019
Just made this and let it set overnight. Tastes just like a creamsicle!!! Can't wait to try it with other citrus varieties, granola, vanilla wafers, etc.
 
Juliebell
Juliebell June 4, 2019
This is also delicious with lime. I have increased the juice to 7 tablespoons and boiled for a couple of minutes additional and it set up better for me. I have also used a couple of strips of thin peel that can be fished out. I love this recipe!
 
Catherine
Catherine June 4, 2019
I made this years ago and just remembered its brilliance after seeing Melissa Clark doing the same thing for NYT the other day. Glad I found it again :)
 
K.V.
K.V. April 22, 2019
So insanely good. Savored every spoonful.
 
DC's P.
DC's P. June 20, 2017
Delicious, and so very fast and easy to make. I would lessen the sugar by two tablespoons next time but definitely again add lemon zest strips to the mixture as it cools. I removed zest before putting them in glasses with raspberries (no added whipped cream topping) and served to my happy camper friends.
 
SarahM
SarahM April 23, 2017
This recipe is shockingly good and easy. I made it with Meyer lemons, served it with creme fraiche. Excellent!
 
candace
candace March 26, 2017
Sometimes life just works. I had 2 cups of cream, some citrus, and extra sugar that I wanted to get rid of - cupboard space is tight. I originally infused 1 cup of cream with fresh mint and the other with fresh basil. I intended to use them for another recipe that I changed at the last moment. Rather than toss it, I found this answer to my prayers. I used a mix of lemon and lime because that's what I had. I poured the mix into the ramekins a bit early and added dried unsweetened coconut to one, a bit more mint to another. They turned out great - even with all the herbs dancing around. Next time I will try with just lime and coconut. This is a keeper.
 
igor
igor November 22, 2016
On this coming holiday , I will be very thankful for such an easy, delicious recipe. It has become a tradition for my Thanksgiving and Christmas menus.
Best wishes and thanks for sharing.
Igor
 
Author Comment
mrslarkin
mrslarkin November 23, 2016
You're very welcome, Igor. Best wishes to you and yours. 💕
 
Nena M.
Nena M. May 30, 2016
Looks fantastic! How long will it keep in the fridge?
 
Author Comment
mrslarkin
mrslarkin May 31, 2016
Hi Nena, it will keep in the refrigerator several days.
 
Tara S.
Tara S. April 10, 2016
Love this! It was so easy to made and delicious.
 
Andres J.
Andres J. April 13, 2015
Hi I try this recipe it taste very good ! . How I can get the same results but different taste I mean different than lemon ?
 
Matilde
Matilde March 11, 2015
Please help me with this:

in Portugal we can barely find heavy cream, just regular cream, with 35% fat. Will this work?

Thank you!
 
Author Comment
mrslarkin
mrslarkin March 11, 2015
Hi Matilde, the heavy cream I use is usually 36% fat, so I think what you have will probably work.
 
Matilde
Matilde March 11, 2015
Thank you :) I'm going to make this tonight!
 
Sue O.
Sue O. July 1, 2014
I love possets . . . I even tried a very ancient posset recipe recently involving bread, booze, fruit and cream. My husband loved it, it was like a boozy milkshake. Your lemon posset, however, I could eat!
 
paula
paula April 11, 2014
Threw a few dried rose petals (available from most spice stores) on top. It looked lovely and tasted delicious. Will try it with dried nutmeg blossoms and lime juice next time.
 
beejay45
beejay45 March 16, 2014
Looking at the photo, I don't know why I expected this to be a sauce type of consistency, but...Since this has to set up in the fridge, I think I'm going to use it in fresh fruit crepes, as in, serve immediately (before it sets!). That just sounds so good to me.

Do you think subbing wine for some of the lemon juice (and adding zest to maintain the tang) would work for a sauce, at least?
 
Author Comment
mrslarkin
mrslarkin April 11, 2014
Hello beejay45! Sorry I didn't read this earlier. I'm not sure if wine would work but it's a great idea and totally worth trying. Let us know if you do!
 
Jinnie
Jinnie February 18, 2014
I just finished making this and licked the pot clean. Absolutely quick and delicious. I only had 1C of whipping cream (leftover from making Meyer Lemon Cream) and I used 1/3C super fine sugar, 3 Meyer Lemons and the zest from two of them. There are only two of us and it filled 2 custard cups. I will put the leftover Lemon Meyer cream on when serving this evening. Thank you ever so much for such a simple and delish recipe. I will use it often.