Magic Lemon Creams

This dessert is so so simple yet ultra fresh, creamy and needless to say, de-lic-ious! There’s something truly magical in the way the lemon juice causes simple cream to set into a silky luscious dessert. I’ve made this with thickened cream and pure cream. Both are good.

Enough for 2
Takes: 6 hours
300mL (1 1/4) cups pure (heavy whipping) cream, 35% milk fat
1/8 teaspoon pure stevia powder*
3 tablespoons lemon juice
sliced almonds, toasted, to serve (optional)

1. Place cream a saucepan and simmer gently for 3 minutes for the cream to reduce slightly.

2. Remove from the heat and stir in the stevia and lemon juice. Divide between 2 serving containers – little glasses or tea cups (about 1/2 cup capacity).

3. Refrigerate for 6 hours or until you’re ready to serve.

4. Sprinkle with a few almonds (if using) and serve with a small spoon.

Variations

*important note about stevia! – there are 4 types of stevia:
1. Pure Stevia Powder – looks like icing (powdered / confectioners) sugar. It’s expensive but a tiny amount goes a long long way. We’re talking 1/2 teaspoon to sweeten a whole cake. This is what I use.
2. Granular Stevia (like Natvia or Truvia) – looks like regular white sugar. It’s a blend of erythritol and stevia. Usually 1/8 teaspoon = 2-3 tablespoons granular stevia.
3. Fresh or Dried Stevia Leaves – from a real stevia plant! I haven’t baked with them but they will behave similar to the pure stevia powder. Just add to taste.
4. Liquid stevia. I haven’t used this. But add to taste.

granular stevia – replace pure powder with 2-3 tablespoons granular stevia.

no stevia – use your favourite sweetener… Honey, maple syrup, xylitol or white sugar! Just add and taste until you’re happy with the sweetness level.

sugar lovers – use 75g (3oz) sugar instead of the stevia. If you like things on the sweeter side, add more.

short on time – make a lemon marscapone cream. Stir a little grated lemon zest into marscapone. Serve in tiny tea cups. Or make a cheats version by stirring a commercial lemon curd (lemon butter) into whipped cream. You could also just serve cream with seasonal fruit, berries & cream or dark chocolate..

different flavours – feel free to play around with the citrus. Lime is lovely and my Mum’s version was a wonderful combination of lemon and passion fruit. So good.

paleo (grain, legume & dairy-free) – serve seasonal fresh fruit or dark chocolate instead.