• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Healthy Happy
  • Pasta recipes
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Pasta recipes
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Pasta recipes
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • FREE eBook
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Dessert

    Lemon Posset

    Published: Apr 26, 2023 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    28 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Vegetarian
    Lemon posset with a text title overlay.
    Lemon posset with a text title overlay.
    Lemon posset with a text title overlay.

    This incredibly creamy and indulgent lemon dessert is made with just 3 ingredients and could not be easier. Lemon Posset is a really impressive dessert that takes just a few minutes to put together. Definitely one for lemon lovers!

    Five glasses of lemon posset next to lemon halves and a checked towel.

    What is lemon posset?

    You might of heard of this dessert before, made popular by Mary Berry, but you might not actually know what it is. Lemon posset is a rich and creamy dessert made with double cream, caster sugar and lemon.

    That's it! Boil the ingredients together, cool and then put in the fridge to set. Your perfect make ahead of time dessert and just what you need for a summer dinner party.

    If you are looking for more lemon recipes, then why not try our easy Lemon Vinaigrette, creamy Lemon Pasta or soothing Honey and Lemon Drink.

    Jump to:
    • What is lemon posset?
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make lemon posset - Step by step
    • What to serve with lemon posset
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More dessert recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Easy - Just 3 ingredients mixed together in a pan, it's that easy.
    • Impressive - Served in little glasses, these are seriously impressive looking.
    • Can be prepared in advance - If you are having a dinner party, these are the perfect make in advance dessert.
    • A good way to use up lemons - 3 lemons go into this dessert, so it's a great way to use up lemons.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Lemons - Make sure they are unwaxed lemons, as we are using the zest in this recipe.
    • Cream - Make sure you are using double cream (heavy cream), and not reduced fat, because it won't set otherwise.
    • Sugar - Use plain white caster sugar, not golden caster sugar.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make lemon posset - Step by step

    One: Put the cream and sugar into a saucepan. Heat over a low heat and bring to the boil. Bring to the boil and boil for 3 minutes. Take off of the heat and leave to cool.

    A saucepan with cream and sugar in it.

    Two: Zest the lemons (a) and then juice them (b).

    Two shot collage of lemon zest on a plate and lemon juice in a juicer.

    Three: Add the lemon juice and zest to the cream and gently whisk in.

    Lemon juice and zest added to the cream.

    Four: Pour into serving glasses. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set.

    Four serving glasses containing unset lemon posset.

    What to serve with lemon posset

    This is a really indulgent, almost sickly sweet, dessert, so it really doesn't need to be served with anything. However, if you wanted to make it more presentable, then you could add some berries on top of it.

    You could also serve it with a shortbread biscuit, which is lovely dipped into the lemon dessert, or why not try our Gingernut Biscuits?

    We think these lemon possets are the perfect dessert to serve after something spicy like a curry, because they are so cooling.

    Variations

    This is a really simple recipe, so there are not too many ways that you can change it. However, other fruit possets work well.

    Why not try a lime or blood orange posset? Follow the same instructions, and just swap the same amount of juice and zest for a different citrus fruit.

    If you REALLY love lemon, then you could put a spoonful of lemon curd at the bottom of each glass before pouring the mixture on top of it to set.

    Lemon posset with lemon zest sprinkled on top.

    Storage

    Store: You can keep these in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

    Freeze: These actually freeze really well, which you wouldn't think a creamy dessert would.

    Defrost: You can defrost them in the fridge for 4 hours before serving.

    A spoon lifting some lemon posset out of a serving glass.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why has my posset mixture curdled?

    This can sometimes happen when you had the lemon juice and zest to hot cream, so you can wait until it has cooled to add it if you prefer.

    What should I serve lemon posset in?

    You can serve them in any kind of small glass or ramekin. Shot glasses work well, or if you have any glass pots from Gü desserts, they would be ideal. We also like the idea of little tea cups which would be perfect for an afternoon tea. Don't use anything big like a dessert bowl, as these are far too rich and you just need a small portion.

    Why hasn't it set?

    If yours does not set in the fridge after 4 hours, it could be either that the cream you used isn't high enough fat content (use double cream and not reduced fat) or that you didn't have it boiling for long enough.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Make sure you are using unwaxed lemons, as you are using the zest in this recipe too.
    • The lemon zest adds a bit of a gritty texture to it, which we don't mind, but it also adds a lot of extra flavour. You can leave it out and just use juice if you prefer. Or pour it through a sieve so you get the flavour of the zest, but it's removed before setting.
    • To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them on your kitchen worktop before cutting and squeezing out the juice.
    • Always zest the lemons before juicing them, as it's much easier that way.
    • Watch the cream mixture really carefully when it is boiling, as it can over boil very quickly and cause quite the mess. Stir it constantly to stop it from boiling over.
    • If you don't have caster sugar, then you can put granulated sugar into a clean coffee grinder, and whizz to make it more fine. Don't grind it too much though, as you don't want icing sugar consistency.
    • Make sure to cool before you pour into glasses. The pan sides should be cool enough to touch.

    More dessert recipes

    • A rectangular tin full of mango sorbet with some being scooped out.
      Easy Mango Sorbet
    • A decorated cheesecake topped with berries and caramel sauce.
      How to Decorate a Cheesecake
    • Healthy Eton mess in a serving glass.
      Healthy Eton Mess
    • Four pineapple ice lollies on a bed of ice.
      Pineapple Ice Lolly

    If you’ve tried this lemon posset recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Lemon posset in small serving glasses.

    Lemon Posset

    By: Dannii
    This incredibly creamy and indulgent lemon posset is made with just 3 ingredients. It could not be easier and takes just a few minutes to put together.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 10 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Prep: 2 minutes mins
    Cook: 4 minutes mins
    Chilling time: 4 hours hrs
    Total: 4 hours hrs 6 minutes mins
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 454kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 600 ml (2.5 cups) Double cream (heavy cream)
    • 3 Lemons - zest and juice only
    • 150 g (0.75 cups) Caster sugar

    Instructions

    • Put 600 ml Double cream (heavy cream) and 150 g Caster sugar into a saucepan. Heat over a low heat and bring to the boil. Bring to the boil and boil for 3 minutes. Take off of the heat and leave to cool.
    • Zest and juice 3 Lemons.
    • Add the lemon juice and zest to the cream and gently whisk in.
    • Pour into serving glasses. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set.

    Notes

    • Make sure you are using unwaxed lemons, as you are using the zest in this recipe too.
    • The lemon zest adds a bit of a gritty texture to it, which we don't mind, but it also adds a lot of extra flavour. You can leave it out and just use juice if you prefer. Or pour it through a sieve so you get the flavour of the zest, but it's removed before setting.
    • To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them on your kitchen worktop before cutting and squeezing out the juice.
    • Always zest the lemons before juicing them, as it's much easier that way.
    • Watch the cream mixture really carefully when it is boiling, as it can over boil very quickly and cause quite the mess. Stir it constantly to stop it from boiling over.
    • If you don't have caster sugar, then you can put granulated sugar into a clean coffee grinder, and whizz to make it more fine. Don't grind it too much though, as you don't want icing sugar consistency.
    • Make sure to cool before you pour into glasses. The pan sides should be cool enough to touch.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1491IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

    You'll love these too...

    • Courgette and lime cake with a slice cut off.
      Courgette and Lime Cake
    • Stewed plums in a large round serving dish.
      Stewed Plums
    • Six healthy blueberry muffins on a wooden serving board.
      Healthy Blueberry Muffins
    • Chocolate Covered Marshmallows on sticks, arranged like a bunch of flowers.
      Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      May 12, 2023 at 4:03 am

      5 stars
      I love the lemon flavor in this simple and light dessert

      Reply
    2. Sara Welch

      May 08, 2023 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a fun and tasty treat that does not disappoint! Easy, sweet and delicious and perfect for spring!

      Reply
    3. Natalie

      May 08, 2023 at 8:08 pm

      Anything lemon and I'm sold! Def my next dessert to make. Also the fact that there's just a few ingredients? Love!

      Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      May 08, 2023 at 7:39 pm

      When entertaining I love recipes that aren't a hassle to make but are rich and indulgent. These could be served at a fancy dinner party in pretty goblets, and no one would know how quick and easy they are to make!

      Reply
    5. Casey

      May 08, 2023 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      OOH this was so creamy and delicious! I wasn't sure to expect because I've never heard of it before but it was so tasty!

      Reply
    6. imsen

      May 08, 2023 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      This LEMON POSSET looks so amazing! It looks so creamy! I love the texture! Perfect dessert for this summer! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    7. Chenee

      May 08, 2023 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love that there are only 3 ingredients in this recipe and I already have all of them. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    8. TAYLER ROSS

      May 08, 2023 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      I made this dessert over the weekend and it was delicious! The fact that it only has 3 ingredients made it even better!

      Reply
    9. Mimi

      May 08, 2023 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for the great recipe! I am going to make it soon!

      Reply
    10. dina and bruce miller

      May 08, 2023 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      We just can not get enough of this recipe! So bright and tasty!!

      Reply

    Made this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

    Welcome!

    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

    About HHH»

    Pasta Recipes

    • A large bowl of Greek spaghetti with a pair of tongs in it.
      Greek Spaghetti with Tomato and Feta
    • A white plate with mushroom bolognese and spaghetti.
      Mushroom Bolognese
    • Quick Broccoli Pasta on a large plate next to a purple towel.
      Quick Broccoli Pasta
    • Healthy mac and cheese in a round dish with a portion scooped out.
      Healthy Mac and Cheese
    • Sardine pasta in a bowl with a fork.
      Sardine Pasta
    • Easy Marmite Pasta in a bowl topped with cheese and chopped herbs.
      Easy Marmite Pasta

    Featured in

    Collage of media outlet logos.

    Popular Recipes

    • A pile of air fryer chips.
      The Best Air Fryer Chips
    • 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry on a blue and white plate.
      10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Easy tomato pasta sauce coating tagliatelle on a white plate.
      Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
    • Slow cooker beef brisket sliced up on a serving board.
      Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

    Footer

    Help & Information

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Advertising
    • Blog

    About us

    • About us
    • Newsletter Sign Up!
    • Press enquiries
    • Web Stories
    • FAQ

    Follow us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    ^ back to top

    Featured in

    A selection of publications that Hungry Healthy Happy has been featured in

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2011-2023 Hungry Healthy Happy • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by D Martin

    28 shares