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Blending sweetness, tartness and a creamy texture, a lemon posset brûlée is elegant enough for a dinner party as well as simple enough to become a real staple. If you love the zingy zippy flavor of lemons, you’re going to love this easy posset recipe with lemon juice, lemon zest, cream, sugar and, if you want it, a splash of vanilla too. This lemon dessert is a TikTok trend that you are sure to love! Whip it up to surprise the family or host your very own Bridgerton party and serve this to thrill your dinner guests.
The tangy taste of lemons is the main flavor in this scrumptious lemon posset brûlée and the balance of sweet and tart is perfect. It’s a refreshing, tangy, zesty choice.
Lemon fans, also try lemon tart or elegant lemon stuffed cupcakes. You’ll also find coffee cake cookies and creme brûlée cookies extremely tasty!
Why You’ll Love It
Easy: Recipes like TikTok lemon possets brûlée, made with just three ingredients, are always handy to know. You can rustle this tasty treat up in next to no time, making it ideal for a dinner party or special occasion.
Delicious: Some desserts are the kind that some of us love while others really don’t. But that isn’t really the case with this lemon posset creme brûlée because pretty much everyone loves the flavors of lemon and vanilla.
Adaptable: Although this is a very simple recipe, you can change things up if you wish. Leave out the vanilla if you just want a lemon taste, or use Meyer lemons, Eureka lemons or any other variety. Choose from any garnish you like, from mixed berries to a sprig of mint.
Lemon Posset Brûlée Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Lemon: Fresh lemon is the star ingredient in this delicious dessert.
Heavy cream: For a rich creaminess.
White sugar: Adds sweetness to counter the tart citrus flavor.
Vanilla extract: Optional but a nice pairing with the lemon.
How to Make TikTok Lemon Posset
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the lemons: Cut the lemons into lengthwise halves, juice them and discard the lemon pips, then remove the lemon flesh with a spoon.
Make the sweet cream mixture: Simmer the cream and sugar together, then add some of the lemon juice and, if using, the vanilla, and remove from heat.
Fill the lemon halves: Divide the cream mixture between the lemon halves, then cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Make the brûlée topping: Sprinkle some white sugar on top of each dessert and melt with a kitchen torch (here) until golden, then refrigerate and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Lemon: Any type of fresh lemon will work. Or you could try a different citrus fruit, perhaps lime, orange or even grapefruit.
Adjust the sweetness: Feel free to add less or more sugar, depending on how sweet you want this dessert to come out.
Brûlée topping: This is optional so you don’t have to add it if you prefer a simple posset.
Serving Suggestions
For a sweet treat or dessert: Serve these lemon desserts chilled, perhaps garnished with fresh berries or even a sprig of mint for a contrasting color. They’re delicious after any kind of meal, whether you’re whipping up manicotti, chicken Vesuvio or something with seafood.
For a special occasion (or Bridgerton party!) If you’re making these for a special occasion, consider a pairing with your favorite fruity cocktail such as watermelon paloma or apple cider mojito.
How to Store Lemon Posset Served in a Lemon
Store: These lemon posset brûlées will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.
Freeze: This dessert isn’t a good candidate for freezing since it will separate when you thaw it.
Top Tips
Choose the best lemons: The best ones are heavy for their size and firm with thin, smooth skin. Avoid soft or pale lemons because they might be older and less juicy. Thin-skinned lemons are better for juicing while thicker-skinned ones are better for zesting. As you need the juice in this recipe, choose the thin-skinned lemons.
Successful setting: Chill the dessert well before adding the sweet cream into the lemons. Also let them chill for several hours before serving so they can firm up.
Got leftover cream filling? Put it in serving cups, dessert glasses or ramekins and serve it that way instead, if you’re out of lemon halves. Don’t forget a fresh mint, sprig of lemon zest or berry topping for a garnish!
Lemon Creme Brulee with Brulee Topping FAQs
A posset is a chilled dessert made with lemon-flavored thickened cream, although other kinds of citrus fruit can also be used. Historically, back in the 1400s, the definition of posset was a hot milk based beverage curdled with wine, ale or another type of alcohol, and spiced. These days though, the word only refers to the dessert.
The difference between panna cotta and posset is that panna cotta uses gelatin to help it set, and a posset uses the acid in the citrus to help it set.
Lemon Posset Brûlée Recipe
Lemon Posset Brûlée
Equipment
- Cupcake Pan or Small Ramekins
- Saucepan Small
- Kitchen Torch
Ingredients
- 4 lemons
- 6 Tablespoons lemon juice, from the lemons above
- 2 Cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 Cup granulated sugar, plus extra for brûlée topping
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Optional Toppings (if Not Brûléeing):
- lemon slices
- whipped cream
- mint sprigs
- berries, fresh
Instructions
- Slice the lemons in half lengthwise.
- Juice the lemons and discard seeds. Take 6 Tablespoons of the lemon juice and place into a small bowl, set aside. Discard or save the remaining lemon juice for another recipe.
- Using a metal spoon clean out the fruit pulp from the halved lemons.
- Use a cupcake tin or small ramekins as a way to stabilize the lemon halves, place each of the lemon halves cut side up into one of the ramekins or cupcake spaces. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream and sugar. Heat mixture over medium high heat, stirring slowly and continuously. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Add the lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of vanilla (optional) to the cream mixture and stir slowly. Let this mixture sit to cool for at least 15 minutes.
- After letting the mixture sit, give one last gentle stir then pour it into the halved lemons, filling each lemon almost to the very top. If you have additional posset after filling the lemon halves, pour leftovers into ramekins.
- Let the posset cool completely, then cover and place the lemon posset into the fridge and let chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
For a Brûlée Topping:
- Sprinkle about 1 to 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar on the top of each posset. Use a kitchen torch to torch the top of the sugar until it has melted, creating a glass-like surface with a golden brown color.
- Put the brûlée posset back into the fridge for about 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it is set.
If Not Making a Brûlée Topping:
- Garnish the possets with lemon slices, mint leaves, berries, and/or whipped cream instead.
Notes
Successful setting: Chill the dessert well before adding the sweet cream into the lemons. Also let them chill for several hours before serving so they can firm up.
Got leftover cream filling? Put it in serving cups, dessert glasses or ramekins and serve it that way instead, if you’re out of lemon halves. Don’t forget a fresh mint, sprig of lemon zest or berry topping for a garnish!
Nutrition
This lemon posset dessert with optional brûlée topping is tangy, sweet and creamy all at once. You can make this viral TikTok recipe in advance, so it’s great for any occasion. Similar to panna cotta because of its rich creaminess, this dessert is one of the best ways to show off the amazing flavor of fresh lemons. It’s a dessert served in a lemon and always a family favorite.
Other Recipes to Try
- Go viral with the smoky richness of this Smoked Cream Cheese Tik Tok Recipe.
- These Strawberry Lemonade Bars are super easy to make and taste so good!
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with Raspberry Buttercream Sandwich Cookies!
- Lemon Almond Scones with Lemon Glaze make a lovely treat.
- Prepare to be amazed by the unique twist of this Chocolate Pancake Spaghetti.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
It’s creamy, tangy, and looks so fancy with the brûléed top—but it was actually really easy to make!
Made this on a whim after seeing it on TikTok and now I’m obsessed. It’s creamy, tangy, and surprisingly easy to pull off. I felt super fancy serving it, and it totally wowed everyone at dinner!