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This single serving lime posset is a smooth, creamy citrus dessert with bright lime flavor and a silky, custard-like texture. It comes together quickly on the stovetop and chills into an elegant dessert served in a small ramekin.
Featured Comment
“It was like magic! Tasted so creamy!”
– Rita
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy 4 Ingredient Dessert: This lime posset is made with heavy cream, sugar, lime juice, and vanilla.
- Naturally Thick and Creamy: The lime juice thickens the cream as it chills, so no eggs, gelatin, or cornstarch are needed.
- Small Batch Dessert: This single serving lime posset is perfectly portioned for one and served in a small ramekin.
- Bright Citrus Flavor: Fresh lime juice and optional lime zest give this chilled dessert a smooth, creamy texture with a balanced sweet and tart flavor.
- Classic British Dessert: Lime posset is a traditional British cream dessert known for its silky texture and simple ingredients.
- Great Make Ahead Dessert: Prepare the posset in minutes, then refrigerate until set for an easy dessert ready whenever you want it.
The first time I made lime posset, I was amazed at how something so simple could turn into such a smooth, creamy dessert. Just a few ingredients simmer together, and after a few hours in the refrigerator the mixture sets into a silky custard with a bright lime flavor.
I love serving this chilled in a small ramekin or dessert dish. The texture is rich and creamy while the lime keeps it light and balanced. It is one of those desserts that feels elegant but is surprisingly simple to make.
If you enjoy creamy desserts like this lime posset, you might also like our lemon posset for one or grapefruit posset, both bright citrus desserts with the same silky texture. For something richer, try our small flan recipe with its smooth custard and caramel sauce, custard for one, or our small pot de crème, a classic chocolate custard dessert.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this lime posset recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Heavy cream: Use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream with at least 36% milk fat. The high fat content allows the posset to thicken properly when the lime juice is added, creating a smooth, custard-like texture. Lower-fat milk or half-and-half will not set correctly. For a dairy-free option, full-fat coconut cream can be used.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cream and balances the tart lime flavor. It also helps the mixture thicken as it cooks. Honey or maple syrup can be used instead, though they will slightly change the flavor.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the bright citrus flavor and is what causes the cream to thicken naturally. Bottled lime juice will work if needed, but fresh juice gives the best flavor. Lemon juice can also be used to make a lemon posset.
- Lime Zest (Optional): A small amount of lime zest intensifies the citrus flavor and adds extra brightness to the dessert. While optional, it adds noticeable lime aroma and flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: A small splash of vanilla rounds out the citrus flavor and adds depth to the creamy base without overpowering the lime.
How To Make A Lime Posset
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Heat the Cream and Sugar
Add the cream and sugar to a small saucepan and place it over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Bring the mixture to a vigorous simmer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the Flavorings
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lime juice, vanilla, and lime zest. The mixture should look slightly thicker and reduced.
Let the Mixture Rest
Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, stirring gently once or twice.
Chill Until Set
Pour the mixture into a 10 ounce ramekin. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or until fully set.
Important:
When simmering the cream and sugar, keep the heat at a vigorous simmer. You should see steady movement in the cream, small bubbles across the surface, and light steam rising. Do not let the mixture reach a rolling boil, which produces large bubbles and rapid boiling. Maintaining a steady simmer helps the posset thicken properly.
Expert Tips
- Use Full-Fat Cream: Heavy cream or heavy whipping cream with at least 36% milk fat is essential. Lower-fat cream or milk will not thicken properly.
- Maintain a Vigorous Simmer: The cream should simmer with steady small bubbles and light steam. Avoid a rolling boil, which can affect the texture.
- Add Lime Juice After Heating: Always stir the lime juice in after removing the pan from the heat. The acidity reacts with the hot cream and helps the posset thicken.
- Chill Until Fully Set: Refrigerate the posset for at least 3 to 4 hours so it sets to a smooth, custard-like texture.
- Make Ahead: Lime posset can be made a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lime juice contains acid, which reacts with the hot cream and causes it to thicken as it cools. This natural reaction creates the silky texture that posset is known for.
Posset may not set if the cream did not simmer long enough, if low-fat dairy was used, or if the mixture was not chilled long enough.
Lime posset is often served on its own or topped with fresh berries, whipped cream, or crushed cookies for added texture.
No. Posset is different from pudding or custard because it does not contain eggs or starch. Instead, citrus juice reacts with hot cream and sugar, causing the mixture to thicken naturally as it chills. The result is a smooth, creamy dessert with a texture similar to custard.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
RELATED: 15 Easy Single Serving Dessert Recipes
If you’ve tried this single serving lime posset recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Lime Posset For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon lime zest (optional)
Instructions
- Add the cream and sugar to a 1-quart saucepan and place it over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Bring the mixture to a vigorous simmer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lime juice, vanilla, and lime zest. The mixture should look slightly thicker and reduced.
- Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, stirring gently once or twice.
- Pour the mixture into a ramekin or dessert dish. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or until fully set.
Notes
- Use Full-Fat Cream: Heavy cream or heavy whipping cream with at least 36% milk fat is essential. Lower-fat cream or milk will not thicken properly.
- Maintain a Vigorous Simmer: The cream should simmer with steady small bubbles and light steam. Avoid a rolling boil, which can affect the texture.
- Add Lime Juice After Heating: Always stir the lime juice in after removing the pan from the heat. The acidity reacts with the hot cream and helps the posset thicken.
- Chill Until Fully Set: Refrigerate the posset for at least 3 to 4 hours so it sets to a smooth, custard-like texture.
- Make Ahead: Lime posset can be made a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Decided to go with the lemon, and it was perfect! All your recipes smash. Thanks for the clear instructions on the simmer.
Thank you so much, Angie.
It was like magic! Tasted so creamy! Thx for sharing.
Wonderful! I’m so pleased you enjoyed the recipe.
I love lime anything and this sounded really good, and honestly, too easy to be true. It is so easy and so good! Perfect for summer.
I’m so happy you loved the lime posset – it truly is so easy and one of my favorite desserts. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the recipe!
Joanie
This was so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day! I can’t wait to make it again!
So perfect for when you just need a little something sweet! I love this!
What a beautiful dessert and lime sounds like just the right flavor. A lime flavored pudding type of dessert is perfect.
This yummy lime posset dessert was absolutely fabulous! I doubled the recipe so both my husband and I could enjoy our own little ramekin of deliciousness! Thank you so much for this perfect summer recipe. 🙂
Oh my goodness, this is heavenly! And I almost always have these ingredients on hand too! Thanks for such a great recipe