Have you heard of Posset? I discovered it last year and it’s a deliciously creamy dessert that is super simple to make. The fabulous part is that it looks more sophisticated than it is, making it a great entertaining and holiday dessert. Today I am sharing a cranberry posset recipe perfect for the holiday season.
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Inspiration Behind the Cranberry Posset Recipe
Last year I shared this {lavender honey posset recipe}, which was my introduction into the posset world. I fell in love with the creamy smooth texture and flavor. Posset is a British creation, defined as a cold dessert made from thickened cream, typically flavored with lemon.
Miss M wanted to make possets when she was home over Thanksgiving break, but I told her lavender wasn’t in season so we brainstormed. And voila! the cranberry posset recipe was born. It was perfect with a super subtle cranberry flavor and color. It’s wonderfully festive.
Like I mentioned before, it’s super easy to make, but it tastes way more sophisticated than it is. The posset recipe is a make ahead dessert, which requires chilling in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight, making it a perfect dessert for entertaining.
Recipe for the Festive Cranberry Posset
This dessert does not take long at all to prepare. The chilling is the longest portion of the process, which frees you up to do other things.
This yields around 8-10 servings for the glass compotes I used. Keep this in mind depending on the size of the vessel you choose to serve.
Cooking Pro Tip: Like I stress in all recipes, the fresher your ingredients are, the better the end result of any dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 T lime juice
- 1 cup cranberries
- sugared cranberries for granish
- rosemary sprigs for garnish
Cooking Pro Tip: Always read a recipe all the way through before starting. Then re-read the recipe and assemble all your ingredients so you are fully prepared, knowing all the things you need (ingredients and tools included).
Instructions
- Smash cranberries with a fork in a small bowl
- Bring heavy cream and honey to a boil and simmer at a rolling boil for about 3 minutes; stir frequently ensuring the honey fully dissolves.
- Take off stove and add citrus juices, mixing well; add smashed cranberries and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Remove cranberries with a slotted spoon and divide evenly into serving dishes.
- Chill in the refrigerator until set at least 2 hours
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
- Enjoy – Bon Appetite!
Posset Dessert Details
The posset is an interesting creation with a sublime texture. It’s closest to a panna cotta, which is an Italian dessert. The main difference is that gelatin is used to set the panna cotta. With the posset it’s the chemical reaction of the citrus with the cream which sets it.
It’s also much smoother and softer than a custard, which I gather is also due to the lack of eggs or a starchy thickening agent. The origins of the posset was actually a hot beverage curdled with malt or wine, used as a remedy. That sounds awful to me, but trust me, the dessert version is incredible.
This is a great dessert, which transcends the seasons. The traditional posset is made with cream, citrus and sugar. I like the substitution of honey versus sugar as the sweetener. It’s a subtle flavor, and I believe a healthier alternative.
The Cranberry Posset Recipe is Super Festive!
The cranberry flavor is balanced by the honey, making this dessert neither sweet nor tart. Miss M and I are hoping to make a peppermint posset closer to Christmas which also sounds yummy.
The sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs are the perfect garnish for the season. The sugared cranberries are super easy to prepare which I will share in a subsequent post.
Let me know if you decide to try this dessert. You will not be disappointed. I will be trying other flavor combinations since it’s so easy to make. Bon Appetite!
Shop for the Cranberry Posset Recipe
- Glass Dessert Compote Dishes
- Decorative Glass Dessert Bowls
- Charming Dessert Spoons
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Fresh Cranberries
Cranberry Posset
Equipment
- 1 Sauce Pan
- 8-10 Serving compote dishes
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 cup cranberries
- sugared cranberries for garnish
- rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Read entire recipe and assemble all your ingredients and tools
- Smash cranberries with a fork in a small bowl
- Bring heavy cream and honey to a boil and simmer at a rolling boil for about 3 minutes; stir frequently ensuring the honey fully dissolves.
- Take off stove and add citrus juices, mixing well; add smashed cranberries and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Remove cranberries with a slotted spoon and divide evenly into serving dishes.
- Chill in the refrigerator until set at least 2 hours
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
- Enjoy – Bon Appetite!
Notes
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“Dessert is not a meal; it’s a moment.”
Anh Luu