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Posset is a wealthy, creamy, citrusy British dessert. The balanced lemon taste teeters irresistibly between tangy and candy. Slightly goes a great distance, so it’s excellent after an enormous meal. I’m downright obsessive about this recipe. Hold studying and also you’ll see why!

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

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

Posset has been consumed in Britain for nicely over 600 years, although it was initially a scorching drink created from sweetened, curdled milk combined with wine or ale. It was usually served to assist remedy colds or fevers. The fashionable chilled citrus and cream model got here to be within the twentieth century. Because the 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 slightly than calling for 2 or three lemons, which at all times range in dimension. To attain a constant consistency, I discovered a trick from America’s Check Kitchen—we’ll know the combination is completed simmering as soon as it has decreased to 2 cups. This examined and perfected recipe is prepared to your kitchen!

Posset Components

You’ll want simply 4 substances to make this superb 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 possibility for posset. It yields a wealthy, luscious texture. Make sure you cut back the warmth as needed to keep up a mild simmer, as a result of the top end result doesn’t style fairly as good if the cream is overheated. To succeed in 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 decreased 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 easy 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 unattainable to zest a juiced lemon.

Vanilla Extract

Whereas technically non-compulsory, a small quantity of vanilla extract enhances the flavors of lemon and cream. It affords a lightweight style of vanilla custard and I like to recommend it!

Watch Easy methods to Make Lemon Posset

Garnish Ideas

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

• Crumbled graham crackers
• Crushed pistachios
• Recent 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 most typical selection, however you can also make posset with orange, lime or every other citrus fruit. Take into account enjoyable seasonal varieties like Meyer lemon, key lime or Cara Cara orange.

You may substitute different citrus varieties one-for-one within the recipe under. 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 Ideas

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

You’ll probably must 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 pictures, I used spoons like these.

Easy methods to Freeze Posset

As soon as chilled, possets will be saved in a carton with a lid or wrapped in plastic wrap. They may 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 flippantly thawed—it tastes like dense lemon gelato and I adore it.

Extra Candy Treats to Make

For extra miniature treats like this recipe, attempt these:

For extra citrusy sweets, attempt these:

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

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