Lemon Posset Recipe – Cookie and Kate

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Posset is a wealthy, creamy, citrusy British dessert. The balanced lemon taste teeters irresistibly between tangy and candy. A bit of goes a good distance, so it’s good after a giant meal. I’m downright obsessive about this recipe. Maintain studying and also you’ll see why!

Posset is a straightforward make-ahead dessert to supply at events in particular person servings. It will be beautiful at Easter and Mom’s Day celebrations, child showers, dinner events, and extra.

To make posset, you’ll want simply 4 elements—heavy cream, sugar, lemons and vanilla extract—and some further hours to sit back it within the fridge. You may make posset the night time earlier than and even freeze the leftovers.

Posset has been consumed in Britain for effectively over 600 years, although it was initially a sizzling drink comprised of sweetened, curdled milk combined with wine or ale. It was typically served to assist remedy colds or fevers. The fashionable chilled citrus and cream model got here to be within the twentieth century. For the reason that recipe is British, posset is pronounced like “pocket” however with an s.

I first tried posset for my cookbook, however I overcomplicated the recipe by making an attempt to serve the posset like cheesecake squares over graham cracker crust. In hindsight, it’s greatest served merely in small containers, and garnished as desired. Years later, my husband jogged my memory of posset after he made some on a whim after discovering the idea on Instagram.

I pulled out my previous notes and tweaked the quantities of cream to make use of one full pint, used simply sufficient sugar so it’s not too candy, and specified the precise quantities of lemon zest and lemon juice somewhat than calling for 2 or three lemons, which all the time differ in dimension. To realize a constant consistency, I discovered a trick from America’s Check Kitchen—we’ll know the combination is finished simmering as soon as it has diminished to 2 cups. This examined and perfected recipe is prepared on your kitchen!

Posset Components

You’ll want simply 4 elements to make this wonderful deal with. Posset can’t be made dairy-free, however it’s conveniently gluten-free, egg-free and nut-free. In comparison with typical pudding recipes, this posset recipe is downright magical in its simplicity (no gelatin,  cornstarch or eggs required).

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is the one choice for posset. It yields a wealthy, luscious texture. Make sure to scale back the warmth as crucial to take care of a mild simmer, as a result of the tip end result doesn’t style fairly as good if the cream is overheated. To achieve our desired consistency, we’ll preserve a glass liquid measuring cup by the range to measure the cream combination after cooking for 15 to twenty minutes. As soon as it has diminished to 2 cups, we’ll transfer to the following step.

Sugar

Plain granulated sugar lets the lemon taste shine on this recipe. We’ll gently simmer it within the pot with heavy cream and lemon zest, stirring till it fully dissolves. I like to experiment with pure sweeteners when potential, however honey dominated the flavour once I tried it. (Technically, you may substitute an equal quantity of honey or only a portion for the sugar and the recipe will set.)

Lemon Zest and Juice

The tart lemon juice helps the combination set, whereas the lemon zest intensifies the lemon taste. We’ll simmer the zest within the cream, take away it from the warmth, and stir within the lemon juice. After twenty minutes, we’ll pressure the zest out of the combination for a clean texture.

We’ll want 2 to three medium lemons for this recipe (maybe purchase an additional lemon simply in case). Since we’re utilizing the zest, shopping for natural citrus is greatest to keep away from pesticide residues. Zest the lemon first, then juice it—it’s not possible to zest a juiced lemon.

Vanilla Extract

Whereas technically non-obligatory, a small quantity of vanilla extract enhances the flavors of lemon and cream. It gives a light-weight style of vanilla custard and I like to recommend it!

Watch The right way to Make Lemon Posset

Garnish Solutions

Garnishes are non-obligatory however make this pale yellow dessert extra eye-catching. For these images, I garnished the posset with raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and tiny sprigs of mint. You possibly can preserve it easy by selecting simply a kind of. Right here’s a full record of garnish choices:

• Crumbled graham crackers
• Crushed pistachios
• Contemporary mint (use the tiniest sprigs or one small leaf per cup)
• Lemon zest or candied lemon peel
• Small berries: Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries
• Whipped cream

Taste Variations

Lemon posset is the commonest selection, however you may make posset with orange, lime or some other citrus fruit. Think about enjoyable seasonal varieties like Meyer lemon, key lime or Cara Cara orange.

You possibly can substitute different citrus varieties one-for-one within the recipe beneath. Don’t attempt to substitute the rest for the citrus juice—the recipe wants the interplay between citrus and heavy cream to set correctly.

Serving Cup & Spoon Solutions

Select small glasses that may maintain not less than 2 ounces. I used Crate and Barrel’s Bitty Chunk brief glasses for these images. Cheaper choices embrace 2-ounce glass shot glasses or disposable plastic cups (you’ll have lots for a number of batches).

You’ll doubtless have to serve these mini cups with mini spoons, also called espresso or demitasse spoons. Right here’s an affordable set of twelve chrome steel spoons. For these images, I used spoons like these.

The right way to Freeze Posset

As soon as chilled, possets might be saved in a carton with a lid or wrapped in plastic wrap. They’ll preserve within the fridge for as much as 1 week or within the freezer for as much as 3 months. If frozen, unwrap them and allow them to thaw within the fridge earlier than serving, about half-hour. It’s also possible to benefit from the posset straight from the frozen or simply frivolously thawed—it tastes like dense lemon gelato and I like it.

Extra Candy Treats to Make

For extra miniature treats like this recipe, strive these:

For extra citrusy sweets, strive these:

Please let me know the way your posset seems within the feedback! I hope it turns into your new favourite dessert.

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