Silky Vanilla-Kissed Lemon Posset Recipe: Ina Garten’s Secret

Dessert lovers rejoice as this creamy lemon posset recipe by Ina Garten takes center stage in simple elegance.

Rich, silky, and bursting with bright citrus notes, this classic British treat promises pure indulgence.

The delicate balance of fresh lemon juice and heavy cream creates a luxurious texture that melts on your tongue.

Each spoonful delivers a tangy and smooth experience that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward technique make this dessert accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.

With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a dessert that looks like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant.

Grab your lemons and prepare to delight in a dessert that’s sure to impress at any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 384 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Needed for Ina Garten’s English Lemon Posset

• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and silky texture for the dessert's foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream mixture for perfect consistency.
• Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, citrusy aromatics and adds vibrant flavor complexity.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the dessert's sweetness.

• Lemon Juice: Delivers tangy brightness and helps thicken the posset naturally.
• Limoncello: Introduces sophisticated Italian liqueur depth and additional citrus notes.

• Raspberries, Strawberries: Bring fresh, juicy sweetness and colorful visual appeal to the dessert.
• Additional Sugar: Helps macerate berries, releasing natural juices and intensifying their flavor.

Tools for Making Posset That’s Smooth and Tangy

• Medium Saucepan: Essential for cooking cream mixture, around 15 cm wide and 12.5 cm high.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring sugar and cream mixture without scratching the pan.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve: Crucial for straining zest and ensuring smooth cream texture.
• Measuring Jug: 1-liter size helps transfer and measure strained cream precisely.
• Rubber Spatula: Great for pressing zest and extracting maximum liquid.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Needed for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Medium Bowl: Used for mixing and macerating berries.
• Dessert Bowls or Glasses: Six 230-300 ml containers for serving posset.

Crafting a Creamy Lemon Posset Using Ina’s Recipe

• Cream Foundation

In a sturdy saucepan, blend cream with sugar, zesty lemon shavings, and a pinch of salt. Heat until bubbling, then reduce to a gentle dance of simmering. Allow the mixture to bubble softly for six minutes without stirring, watching carefully to prevent overflow.

• Flavor Infusion

Remove from heat and introduce fresh lemon juice and a splash of limoncello. Let the mixture rest, allowing flavors to mingle and embrace each other for twenty peaceful minutes.

• Chilling Preparation

Strain the liquid through a delicate sieve, pressing to extract every droplet of essence. Distribute the silky cream into elegant serving vessels. Nestle the bowls in the refrigerator for three hours until they transform into a luxurious, quivering delicacy.

• Berry Magic

Just before serving, toss colorful berries with a hint of limoncello and sugar. Let them rest and release their vibrant juices, creating a luscious companion for the creamy posset.

• Final Touch

Generously spoon the glistening, juice-laden berries over the chilled cream, creating a stunning dessert that promises pure indulgence.

Tweaks and Garnishes for a Posset with Flair

• Swap some lemon juice with lime or orange juice for a vibrant twist on the classic flavor profile.
• Experiment with seasonal berries like blackberries, blueberries, or mixed berry combinations for unique taste experiences.
• Top with fresh mint leaves, edible flowers, or delicate lemon zest curls to enhance visual appeal and add subtle aromatic notes.
• Sprinkle crushed shortbread cookies, toasted almond slivers, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for delightful crunch and complexity.

How to Serve Ina’s English Dessert Elegantly

• Garnish with Lemon Zest Sprinkles: Enhance the dessert's visual appeal by delicately sprinkling fresh lemon zest over the chilled posset for a burst of citrusy aroma.
• Pair with Crisp Shortbread: Serve alongside delicate, buttery shortbread cookies to add a complementary crunch that balances the creamy texture of the posset.
• Create a Berry Medley Topping: Layer the macerated mixed berries generously over the chilled posset, allowing their vibrant colors and sweet-tart juices to create a stunning presentation that delights both the eyes and palate.
• Serve in Elegant Glassware: Present the posset in clear, sophisticated dessert glasses to showcase the smooth, creamy texture and beautiful berry topping, making it an impressive finale to any meal.

Chill & Store Posset Properly with Ina’s Tips

• Refrigerate Quickly: Transfer the lemon posset to airtight containers immediately after cooling to maintain optimal texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the dessert up to 3 days in advance, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator to preserve its silky smooth consistency.
• Freeze with Caution: Avoid freezing the posset, as the delicate cream mixture may separate and lose its luxurious creamy texture when thawed.
• Berry Timing Matters: Add fresh macerated berries just before serving to keep the dessert crisp and prevent soggy edges, ensuring maximum flavor and presentation.

Silky Lemon Posset Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful English lemon posset celebrates creamy dessert elegance with minimal ingredients. Cold cream, sugar, and lemon juice blend into silky perfection you’ll savor after a lovely meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups / 720 ml heavy cream
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsps / 225 g granulated sugar
• 1 cup / 150 g fresh raspberries
• 1 cup / 150 g sliced fresh strawberries
• 4 tbsps / 60 ml limoncello liqueur
• ⅓ cup / 80 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest (from 2 to 3 lemons)
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Cream Base Preparation: Combine heavy cream, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a medium saucepan, creating a fragrant foundation for the dessert.
2. Boiling and Simmering: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Reduce to a vigorous simmer for 6 minutes, watching carefully to prevent overflow.
3. Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and blend in lemon juice and limoncello. Allow the mixture to rest for 20 minutes, enabling flavor development and harmonization.
4. Straining and Portioning: Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring jug, pressing zest to extract maximum flavor. Distribute evenly into six dessert vessels.
5. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate uncovered for 3 hours until possets achieve a luxurious, silky consistency.
6. Berry Garnish Creation: Combine raspberries, strawberries, additional limoncello, and remaining sugar. Let berries macerate for 30 minutes to develop a vibrant, sweet sauce.
7. Final Presentation: Serve chilled possets topped with macerated berries and their luscious juices, creating an elegant and flavorful dessert experience.

Notes

• Zest Technique: Carefully grate lemon zest to avoid bitter white pith, ensuring only the bright yellow outer layer is used for maximum citrus flavor.
• Boiling Caution: Watch the cream mixture closely during boiling to prevent scorching or overflow, stirring gently to maintain smooth consistency.
• Chilling Precision: Refrigerate uncovered to allow proper setting and prevent condensation, which can affect the posset’s delicate texture.
• Berry Maceration Magic: Let berries sit with limoncello and sugar to develop intense, vibrant flavors that complement the creamy lemon base.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: English

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 384
• Sugar: 52 g
• Sodium: 63 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 109 mg