Easy Lemon Posset – Quick and Elegant Recipe
Introduction
Lemon Posset is a delightfully simple British dessert with a creamy, silky texture and bright citrus flavor. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s quick to prepare yet elegant enough to serve at dinner parties.

Ingredients
- 2 cups (16 ounces, 473 ml) heavy cream
- ⅔ cup (4.67 ounces, 132 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 6 Tablespoons (3 ounces, 89 ml) fresh lemon juice (2 to 3 lemons)
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine the heavy cream, sugar, and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Continue boiling until the mixture reduces to about 2 cups, which takes 8 to 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 20 minutes until it cools slightly and a skin forms on top. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, discarding the lemon zest.
- Step 3: Pour the strained mixture evenly into 4 serving glasses or 6 ramekins. Refrigerate uncovered until set, at least 3 hours.
- Step 4: Once chilled, cover the possets with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Before serving, unwrap and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream and raspberries if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use high-quality heavy cream; the fat content is crucial for achieving the signature velvety texture when combined with lemon juice. Avoid substituting with half and half or milk.
- Strain the posset into a measuring cup first to make it easier to transfer into serving dishes without spilling.
Storage
Store the lemon posset in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving to enhance the softness of the texture. Reheating is not recommended as it will affect the texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make lemon posset ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare lemon posset up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and covered until ready to serve.
What can I use to garnish lemon posset?
Fresh raspberries, whipped cream, or a sprig of mint complement lemon posset beautifully and add a touch of color and freshness.
PrintEasy Lemon Posset – Quick and Elegant Recipe
Easy Lemon Posset is a quick and elegant British dessert featuring a creamy, velvety texture infused with fresh lemon zest and juice. This simple no-bake treat relies on heavy cream and sugar simmered together and thickened naturally by the acidity of lemon juice, resulting in a luscious, tangy, and smooth custard that sets beautifully in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups (16 ounces, 473 ml) heavy cream
- ⅔ cup (4.67 ounces, 132 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 6 Tablespoons (3 ounces, 89 ml) fresh lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
Instructions
- Combine and simmer: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Continue to boil and cook until the mixture reduces to about 2 cups, which typically takes 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add lemon juice and rest: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 20 minutes until it cools slightly and a skin forms on top. Then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the lemon zest.
- Portion and chill: Divide the strained mixture evenly into 4 individual serving glasses or 6 ramekins. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 3 hours until set. The possets can be refrigerated for up to 2 days when wrapped in plastic wrap. Before serving, unwrap and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream and fresh raspberries for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use high-quality heavy cream because its fat content combines with lemon juice acid to create the thick, velvety texture essential for a perfect posset. Avoid substituting half and half or whole milk.
- Straining the lemon posset into a measuring cup before dividing makes transferring easier and neater.
- The dessert must be refrigerated uncovered initially to allow proper setting.
- Let possets come to room temperature briefly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Lemon Posset, Easy Lemon Posset, Quick Dessert, British Dessert, Creamy Lemon Dessert

