Ice cream. Hot dogs. Grilled corn. Fresh peaches so juicy, they drip down your arms. Several foods seem to practically shout, “summer has arrived!” so when we set out to declare the 2024 dessert of summer, we started to sweat a bit. How could we narrow down all of the millions of options to land on the definitive dessert of summer for all 50 states?

The task was too large to tackle on our own, so Team BHG polled our Test Kitchen staff, editors, contributors, and 11 culinary experts from coast to coast to help zero in on the winner. From unique flavors of shaved ice and sorbet to no-bake trifles, showy basque cheesecakes, and ice cream sundaes every which way (from Campari-thyme to buttermilk-burnt honey), we had a handful of strong contenders. All held potential, but we couldn’t have more desserts of summer than days of summer.

One thing we knew for sure: Since nearly every response included seasonal fruit, our dessert of summer must, too. And it must be easy enough to execute at home, even on the steamiest day of the season.

As soon as we had two chefs chime in to suggest nearly the exact same treat as the dessert of summer 2024—and discovered that the creation included fruit and could be made with just three ingredients—we knew we had landed on our winner.

“For summer 2024, I’m seeing a trend towards desserts that highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients with a focus on simplicity and flavor,” explains Jim Hagy, chef-owner of Chef’s Market in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. “Think: Fresh fruit tarts, herb-infused sorbets, and of course, citrusy delights. Keep it fresh, keep it simple, and let the ingredients shine!”

That sounds pretty appealing, right? So we’re calling it: 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset is the dessert of summer 2024. Here’s why—and how to DIY.

What Is Lemon Posset—And What Makes it the Dessert of Summer?

“Lemon Posset has a rich history dating back to medieval England, where it was originally a drink made with hot milk curdled with ale or wine. Over time, it evolved into a more luxurious, thickened dessert,” Hagy tells BHG. “In its modern form, it's a testament to how simple ingredients can transform into something truly special.”

That less-is-more mindset is exactly the vibes we crave come summertime, when the living is easy (or supposed to be, at least if you believe the jazzy George Gershwin song).

“Lemon Posset is light, refreshing, and has that perfect balance of creamy texture and bright citrus flavor. The simplicity of its ingredients—lemon, cream, and sugar—make it an elegant yet accessible treat that’s both satisfying and cooling on a hot day,” Hagy says.

Several signals point to lemon being among the signature flavors of summer 2024:

• The lemon girl aesthetic continues to be big after a handful of celebrities, including singer/actor/TV host Selena Gomez, helped usher in the trend in August 2023.
• Our 4-ingredient drink of summer that took over Instagram soon after we shared it in May, gets its pleasant amount of pucker courtesy of lemon.
• We’re seeing growing traffic to all of our content related to growing lemon trees at home; a sign that more Americans are growing their own.
• On a May 2024 episode of Selena + Restaurant, Gomez brought her citrus of choice into the spotlight once again alongside Marcel Vigneron, culinary executive officer of Lemon Grove at The Aster in Los Angeles, California, and the champion of Food Network’s 24 in 24. Gomez visited Vigneron’s restaurant to learn more cooking skills and team up to create a new dish for the Lemon Grove menu. After whipping up something very similar to this Lemon Posset, Gomez’s light and lovely creation has remained on the dessert menu at the L.A. hotspot ever since. 
• Plus, we’re seeing a wave of TikTok creators serving similar chilled citrus desserts in lemon cups, as we suggest doing with the dessert of summer.

“What better way to cool off during a heat wave than with a refreshingly tart cup of frozen lemon dessert?” Vigneron asks.

Lemon Posset Ingredients

As we mentioned, you need just 3 ingredients to make the dessert of summer. If you’re not fond of any of the elements, there’s plenty of opportunity for wiggle room.

• Lemon: You’ll put both the shells (aka rinds) and the juice to good use in Lemon Posset. For the juice, you’ll need ½ cup for a 12-serving batch of Lemon Posset. The average lemon yields 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice, so for a full batch, you'll need the juice from about 4. You'll have plenty, since this recipe calls for 6 lemons to hold and serve the posset. Feel free to swap in other citrus fruits if you prefer, such as lime, orange, or grapefruit. Just keep in mind that the “flavor and acidity levels vary between different citrus fruits, so you may need to adjust the sugar accordingly,” Hagy adds. “For example, oranges are less acidic than lemons, so you might use a little less sugar to keep the balance right.” 
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream provides the rich, silky texture that defines this dessert. The high fat content is what allows it to set properly. Other dairy products like half-and-half or whole milk should work, however, they won’t give you the same luxurious mouthfeel. For a non-dairy alternative, consider an equal amount of coconut cream.
• Sugar: “Sugar not only sweetens the posset, but also helps balance the acidity of the lemon juice, ensuring a smooth, well-rounded flavor,” Hagy says. If desired, try honey or agave instead; just remember that the flavor and intensity of sweetness will vary for each. (You’ll probably need more honey or agave than sugar to achieve the same level of sweetness, Hagy admits.)

If you make any modifications, taste before freezing so that you can adjust the sweetness, if needed, Vigneron suggests.

Here's how to make Chef Hagy's 3-ingredient lemon posset recipe.