Summer Sweets: Lemon Posset

We are coming out of the tail end of an unexpected and extraordinary heat wave here in New England, with temperatures hitting the high nineties and occasionally cracking into the triple digits. It’s expected to break at some point tomorrow or Friday with rain and a much-needed cool-down – but in the meantime I’ve been drinking plenty of water, staying in the close vicinity of air conditioning and oscillating fans for as long as possible, and keeping up with my sunscreen in the instances where I do have to brave the outdoors (like seeing Hozier perform at Fenway Park yesterday, for example!)

But I’ve also been looking up cool and refreshing (and preferably no-bake) dishes to whip up, and came across this quick and easy lemon posset recipe which is the epitome of “set it and forget it”! You only have to turn a burner on for under ten minutes, and believe me – it’s worth it!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

16 SERVINGS:

8 lemons, halved the long way and with the pulp scooped out
2 cups heavy cream
⅔ cup granulated sugar
Zest from one lemon
8 tablespoons lemon juice

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream and granulated sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium, and boil for three minutes, stirring constantly and adjusting the heat as needed to prevent the mixture from boiling over.

2. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Let sit for approximately five minutes to cool.

3. Pour the mixture into the halved lemons. Using a cutting board or muffin tin to hold the lemons steady, place them in the refrigerator for at least three hours to set. Serve when ready, and enjoy!

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These little desserts pack a tart punch, and are so perfect to savor in this hot weather! The presentation is also perfect if you’re having company since I personally thought they looked very cute.

I’ve since seen an orange version I’m looking forward to trying the next time I get out to the grocery store and can stock up on citrus again!