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The Best Easy Lemon Posset Recipe

4.7 from 73 reviews

This easy Lemon Posset recipe is a smooth and creamy British dessert made with just heavy cream, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Lightly simmered and chilled in lemon rind halves, it offers a refreshing citrus custard perfect for any occasion. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, it delivers a bright, tangy flavor and a velvety texture that sets beautifully in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

Scale

For 6 Lemon Halves

  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Lemon juice (from 3 lemons)
  • 1/2 tablespoon Lemon zest
  • A pinch of salt

For 12 Lemon Halves

  • 2 cups Heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup Granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons Lemon juice (from 6 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the lemons. Slice clean lemons lengthwise and carefully scoop out all the lemon wedges using a spoon. Press the wedges against a fine mesh strainer to extract all the juice. Set the hollowed lemon halves aside on a half baking sheet for serving later.
  2. Make the custard. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir frequently as you gently bring the mixture to a light simmer—avoid a full boil. Use a measuring cup to gauge when your cream has reached the right amount for the recipe (1 cup for 6 lemon halves, 2 cups for 12).
  3. Add lemon juice and cool. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice thoroughly. Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes until a light skin forms on the surface. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove lemon zest.
  4. Fill lemon halves and chill. Pour the lemon custard into the reserved lemon halves, filling them to the top. Refrigerate the filled lemons for 3-4 hours until the posset sets firmly.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons for the best flavor and natural zest.
  • Do not bring the cream mixture to a full boil to avoid curdling.
  • Straining the mixture ensures a smooth, silky texture by removing zest bits.
  • Chill thoroughly to allow the posset to set properly before serving.
  • This dessert can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated.

Keywords: lemon posset, easy lemon dessert, British custard dessert, creamy lemon recipe, citrus posset