The Best Easy Lemon Posset Recipe

Lemon possets are great to serve at a dinner party, or anytime you’re hosting friends and family. They look great, taste great, and are a refreshingly perfect ending after a big meal.

Since you are here and love lemon desserts, check out this Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe, this Mini Lemon Cupcakes with Italian Buttercream and Lemon Curd, or this Microwave Lemon Curd Recipe.

What is a Lemon Posset?

A Lemon Posset is a traditional British dessert that is both simple and elegant. It dates back to the Middle Ages and originally started as an alcoholic beverage before transitioning into a lemony, creamy, delightful dessert. 

Ingredients for this Easy Lemon Posset Recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this classic British dessert. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Heavy Cream: is the thick and creamy base and creates the perfect texture.
• Granulated Sugar: sweetens the cream and lemon juice with just the right amount of sugar.
• Lemon Juice: adds a delicious flavor while also helping the liquid hold and set properly by combining with the cream.
• Lemon Zest: adds a bold and deep flavor to this delicious dessert.

How to make this Easy Lemon Posset Recipe

This is how you can make this classic dessert. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions! 

Prepare the Lemons

1. Slice the clean lemons longways and using a spoon remove all the lemon wedges. Use those for the juice by pressing them against a fine mesh strainer to get all the juice out.
2. Place those clean lemon halves aside on a half baking sheet for later.

Make the Custard

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the heavy cream, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
2. Bring that mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring frequently to help the sugar dissolve. You don’t want to bring the heavy cream to a full boil, just a very light simmer.
3. You want the cream mixture to be at the one cup mark so pour it into a measuring cup to see if it has reduced enough. If it is at that 1 cup mark, you are good to go, if not keep simmering lightly.
4. Remove from the heat, add in the lemon juice, and stir well. Allow the mixture to cool down for about 15-20 minutes or until it has formed a light skin on top. Strain the lemon posset mixture through a fine sieve to get rid of the zest.
5. Fill the lemon shells to the top with the mixture then refrigerate until set for 3-4 hours before serving.

Recipe Tip

A helpful trick is to have a measuring cup ready and pour your cream mixture into the 1 cup measuring cup for the 6 lemon halves recipe, or the 2 cup measuring cup for the 12 lemon halves recipe, once it hits that amount you know the cream is ready.

Why you need to make this Easy Lemon Posset recipe!

• This great recipe only requires a few simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• Chilled cold desserts are the perfect way to cool off during hot summer days by the pool.
• The lemon lover in your life will love how this simple dessert is bursting with the flavor of citrus juice.
• Make this easy lemon posset recipe the next time you need a quick dessert to bring to bake sales, baby showers, or dinner parties.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How do I store leftover lemon possets?

These are super easy to store. All you need to do is wrap each piece in plastic wrap so that it’s snug on top and store it in the fridge. It should last for at least 2 days in the fridge.

Keep in mind that the longer it sits the more bitter it will get because of the lemon rind.

Can I freeze it?

Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the creamy texture. This easy Lemon posset recipe is best enjoyed fresh from the refrigerator.

Can I try to make these with different citrus fruits?

Absolutely you can try different citrus varieties. A lime posset or orange possets would be great to try once you’ve made this easy lemon posset recipe. You should be able to keep the measurements the same across the board as far as the lime juice and zest.

How can I add extra flavor to this easy lemon posset recipe?

• Top your posset with fresh berries and/or fresh mint.
• Add a dash of whole vanilla bean to the mixture. It’ll bring a delightful visual as well as flavor. Or you can do a teaspoon vanilla extract if you don’t vanilla beans.
• Top it with a light sprinkle of extra sugar and torch it to create a creme brulee effect. This lemon posset brulee went crazy viral on tiktok last year!

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor and acidity, which helps the posset set properly. Bottled lemon juice may have a different acidity level and taste. Plus, you will need fresh lemons for the zest anyway.

Why did my lemon posset not set properly?

If your lemon posset did not set, it could be due to the fact that you didn’t reduce the cream mixture enough. It is extremely important to measure your cream after heating it up to get those ratios perfect.

Easy Lemon Posset Recipe

If you enjoyed this easy lemon posset recipe, make sure to pin it for later!