This vanilla orange posset might be one of the easiest and quickest desserts you can make. Made with only four ingredients. It’s creamy and light, with a balance of sweetness. The citrus notes and the vanilla create the most perfect flavor, subtle and elegant.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.

Vanilla orange posset with slices of strawberry and sprinkled with feuilletine.

Why you’ll love this recipe?

There are a few obvious reasons why you will love this recipe:

It’s easy to make.
It’s ready in less than 15 minutes (except the time it needs to set, 2+ hours)
You need only 4 ingredients.
It’s gluten-free.
It’s absolutely delicious!

What is posset?

Posset was originally a popular British hot drink made of milk curdled with wine or ale, often spiced, which was often used as a remedy. [1]

As you can see, posset has changed quite drastically since then, becoming this simple but delicious dessert you must try at least once in your life.

Recipe Ingredients

Heavy cream. Use full-fat cream with at least 35% fat. The thicker, the better.

Orange. Sweet, juicy orange. If possible, use organic, as you will use the skin to infuse and add more orange flavor. Blood orange will work very well in this recipe, too.

Vanilla bean. I highly recommend using the seeds from a vanilla bean or vanilla paste.

How to make vanilla orange posset?

For exact measurements and detailed directions, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Heat the cream and sugar in a saucepan.

Step 2: Add the orange zest.

Step 3: Whisk in the vanilla seeds.

Adding vanilla bean seeds to a pot with cream and orange zest.

Step 4: Add the orange juice.

Adding orange juice to a pot with cream.

Step 5: Pour the liquid through a sieve to collect the orange zest.

Pouring vanilla orange cream through a sieve.

Step 6: Pour the cream into individual portions.

Filling a ramekin with liquid vanilla orange posset.

Step 7: Cover them with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate.

Vanilla orange posset in small dishes covered with plastic wrap.

Step 8: Once set, garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Two vanilla orange possets with orange slices on the side.

Recipe Tips

Make sure it’s set. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This will ensure a well-set posset. Also, the larger the dish of each portion, the longer it will take to set.

Use real vanilla. Since vanilla is one of the main ingredients, I highly recommend using good-quality vanilla. The beauty in this dessert is the little vanilla seeds you can see throughout, so make sure to use the seeds from an actual vanilla bean or a vanilla paste. You could use vanilla extract, and it will still be delicious, but we are going here for not only flavor but visual appearance, too.

Additions and substitutions

You can make this dessert without the vanilla, which is also a very popular option. Also, you can substitute the orange with lemon; lemon posset is just as delicious.

Adding spices, such as cardamom or cinnamon, can elevate the flavor and add an interesting twist.

The key to this recipe is to use some citrus, which is the component that will curdle and thicken the cream. If you want to try using non-citrus fruit, you might need to add a spoon or two of lemon juice.

Instead of portioning the posset into cups or glasses, you could use the orange peel. You can cut the oranges in half, carefully remove the core, and use the shell as a vessel to pour into. They won’t be very stable, so make sure to secure them well.

Storage and reheating

Keep the vanilla orange posset covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Don’t freeze the posset because it will change its texture once defrosted and become a liquid consistency. You could freeze it if you are planning to eat it as ice cream.

Vanilla orange posset with a spoon on the side.

Recipe FAQ

No, panna cotta uses gelatin to thicken the dessert, while posset relies on the acid from the citrus to curdle and firm up the texture.

I haven’t tried making it with something else. I will update once I do.

More recipes to try

Let’s connect!

I would love to connect with you! Let me know if you try this recipe, and please leave a star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for others to see. This helps people find the recipe.

You can also tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations. Pin this recipe to your Pinterest board so you can always find it, and follow me there for more recipes like this.

Two vanilla orange possets with spoons and orange slices on the side.

**Subscribe to my Substack mailing list and get the recipes straight to your mailbox!**

If you like my content and want foolproof, well-tested, and truly delicious recipes that will save you time, consider subscribing to the paid option. Your support means a lot, and it helps me continue doing what I love.