What is Lemon Posset?
The lemon posset is a traditional British dessert that consists of lemon-flavoured thickened cream. It is served cold, garnished with fresh berries and usually paired with Scottish shortbread biscuits.
The classic ingredients include lemons, double cream, and white sugar, and its consistency is in between a pudding and a lemon curd. The posset is prepared by softly boiling double cream and mixing it with a lemon syrup made with simmered lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar.
The mixture is then poured in serving parfait glasses or ramekins and allowed to set in the fridge.
Can lemon posset be made in advance?
Lemon posset is one of those easy dessert recipes which is perfect for preparing in advance. You can make it ahead like on the day before or in the morning before a dinner party. In fact, not only the lemon posset needs time to set in the fridge and has to be served cold, but it also keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days.
Is lemon posset gluten-free?
Yes, lemon posset is naturally gluten-free as the recipe includes gluten-free ingredients like lemons, double cream, and sugar. Therefore, it is safe for people on a celiac diet or for those who have gluten intolerance to eat this dessert.
Our own vegan lemon posset with cashew cream is therefore 100% gluten-free but also sugar-free and dairy-free!
How long does lemon posset keep in the fridge?
The lemon posset can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 4 days as the low temperature will slow down any deterioration reaction and bacterial growth. However, we recommend you consume it within two days to ensure you enjoy it at its best flavour and consistency.
Does lemon posset contain eggs?
No, lemon posset doesn't contain eggs usually, and our vegan version certainly does not. Therefore, it's a dessert suitable for those who suffer from egg allergy or follow a diet that restricts the consumption of eggs.
Lemon posset is sometimes confused with lemon curd which instead is prepared with eggs.
How to make lemon posset without sugar?
Although the classic lemon posset recipe includes white sugar, you can still prepare this dessert without refined sugars. You can swap it for healthier alternatives like raw honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup. Use them at a ratio 3:2 - for example two parts of maple for every three parts of sugar in the recipe.
You can also opt for a totally sugar-free version using zero calories sweeteners like natural erythritol if you have diabetes or following a calorie-restricted diet.
In any case, we recommend you still include a sweetening ingredient in the lemon posset recipe if you don't fancy the sour taste of lemon on its own.
How to make lemon posset without cream?
Although double cream is a staple ingredient in the classic recipe, you can still make lemon posset without cream. We actually encourage you to do so to get a healthier dessert.
Most people replace double cream with silken tofu to turn this recipe vegan. We have opted for cashew nuts made into a cream, to try something different and to add a delicious nutty flavour. Both tofu and our cashew paste are smooth and buttery and give the lemon posset a thick and creamy consistency.
