Meyer Lemon and Thyme Pots de Creme
Delicate little pots de creme infused with seasonal Meyer lemon and fresh thyme, this dessert is like a whisper-light breath of spring! So good you won’t believe this easy recipe is low-carb and gluten-free.
If you read my recent guest post on Delish Dish, then you know- the cat is out of the bag. I am officially the worst wife in the world. My husband is Type-2 Diabetic, and I torture him regularly with my dessert creations.
What can I say? I have loved desserts since waaaay before he was ever diagnosed. Maybe my love of desserts and need to constantly create new ones is what led to his disease? He has a family history of it, but I realize I certainly haven’t helped the situation.
I feel really awful about it. So, I have decided to try featuring some diabetic-friendly desserts here from time to time, just to balance out all the copious amounts of sugar.
Most of our backyard garden has officially bit it, at this point. Everything is covered over with a deep blanket of snow. The lone survivor is thyme. It’s delicate little stems are reaching up, through the frosty layer, and it’s tiny little leaves are persevering.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Yes, I just quoted Shakespeare. Not because I am a literary smarty-pants, but because I am addicted to Pinterest and that saying makes it into my feed pretty much daily.
Anyhow, a little birdie told me that Mr. Allie was hoping for a Meyer Lemon + herb dessert concoction, so this is what I came up with.
I found this recipe for pots de creme years ago, in a book by Martha Stewart called Healthy Quick Cook. It was originally a mocha flavored dessert, made with cocoa powder and evaporated milk. I adapted the original recipe for the flavor combo the hubs was craving, and I’m still amazed at how rich and creamy these little desserts are, for having barely any fat. Plus they are naturally gluten-free, and, if you do like I did and use an artificial sweetener, then they are super low-carb as well.
The Meyer lemon is subtle, and the thyme is a little more assertive, so I would recommend letting the milk and lemon peel get a bit of a head start steeping for a little while, before adding the thyme. That way it won’t overpower.
I don’t normally keep evaporated milk on hand, and that is why I just reduced regular milk down on the stove. It’s actually a pretty easy trick and makes a good substitute for the canned stuff. Just keep a close eye on it, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn on the bottom of your pot, and when it gets to exactly 2/3 cup you are good to go.
In my opinion, the artificial sweeteners I have tried always seem sweeter to me than sugar. I used 1/2 cup sweetener when I made this, and I thought it to be quite sweet. If you decide to use sugar instead you may need more, so just taste as you go along and see what you like.
They have a light, almost souffle-like texture, with a fresh, herbal flavor and a little bit of a cheesecake-y tang. A really nice breath of delicate, Springtime flavor, and a great way to utilize seasonal ingredients. I hope you enjoy!
I also want to quickly mention that I am so incredibly honored to have been named as a finalist for Better Homes and Gardens’ 2015 Blogger Awards! I feel so truly blessed to be listed alongside some amazingly talented people I have admired for so many years. If you would take a few moments to click over and place your vote, I would be forever grateful! The baking category is on page 2, so if you aren’t familiar with any of the blogs on page 1, feel free to select “skip category,” and you’ll see me on the second page. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
This post contains affiliate sales links.
Meyer Lemon and Thyme Pot de Creme
Ingredients
- 1 cup (244 ml) milk
- peel from one Meyer lemon
- 1 small sprig of fresh thyme,, plus extra for garnish
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar or sugar substitute
- 1/2 cup (122 ml) Meyer lemon juice, (juice of 2 Meyer lemons)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the milk and lemon peel in a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a low simmer, stirring, until it has reduced to 2/3 cup.
- Remove from the heat and add the thyme. Allow to steep for a few minutes.
- Whisk the egg, egg white, sugar or sugar substitute, and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Stir in the milk, discarding the lemon peel and thyme.
- Transfer the mixture to 4 small (4-ounce) ramekins or jars, and place them in a baking dish lined with a clean kitchen towel. Pour very hot water into the larger baking dish, about 1-inch up the sides of the jars.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until set; cool for 20-30 minutes.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and thyme; serve warm.
Oh look at all of that beautiful thyme toughing out the winter!
I had no idea your husband was T2. Poor guy! I’m psyched that he can eat these!
He was psyched too! I need to consider him more when I’m brainstorming recipe ideas. Hope you’re doing well and keeping warm sweetie!
Not only do these sound so delicately-flavoured, but they sound so easy to make, too. Just my kind of dessert – and they are even more exciting as they are pretty healthy, too.
Congrats on the best blogger nomination by the way … off to vote for you now! 🙂
Thank you so much Helen! And for voting too- I still can’t believe I’m on that list 😛
These are gorgeous little pots de yumminess! Love the flavors. (And congrats on the nomination!)
Thank you so much Steph! I am so excited! 😀
These pots de creme are so beautiful, Allie! Love the lemon and thyme flavour! 😀 x
Thanks Jess! My hubby really does too 🙂
Allie! “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” I love this quote!!! and I love baking with thyme! what a gorgeous and light dessert. . LOVE!!! and congrats. . you already know I think you are awesome and this blog rocks!
Aw you are such a sweetie Alice! Thank you so much my friend! xoxo
Yay, Allie! I totally voted for you and Zainab!! These Lemon and Thyme pots de creme are so gorgeous. They make me want springtime so bad!
Thank you so much Beth! I am voting for Z too!
I love that you made these for Mr. Allie! They look beautiful and the Meyer lemon and thyme combo sound so light and refreshing!! They are just the sunshine we need to brighten up these cold snowy days!
They really were light and refreshing. Thank you so much Kelly! I hope you had a fun weekend with your family! Stay warm 🙂
omg these look so delicate and delicious!! My mouth watered at the mention of meyer lemon!! So refreshing!
Yay! I love that. Now my mouth is watering too, lol! Thanks so much Ami!
Somehow you have managed to put all of my favorite things into one dish, pots de creme being at the top of that list! I love that you have created a dessert that your husband can really enjoy! Absolutely love this times a million. xoxo
Aw, thank you so much Justine! You’re the best, girl 🙂
You amaze me every single time, Allie! I’m not even diabetic but I would totally gobble this up. And you’re such a sweet wife to consider your hubby’s condition and make treats that he can have. I know it must be torture to be around all of your delicious goodies. But hey, if you need an extra mouth to help eat it all, I’m available! Have a wonderful weekend, friend.
Haha too bad we’re not neighbors- I really could use an extra mouth! Thanks so much Jen and I hope your weekend was fun too!
I’m always looking for diabetic friendly desserts for some of my relatives…I hope you keep them coming along side your other amazing desserts! Congratulations on the nomination!!!
Oh that’s so great to know that the diabetic desserts are useful for you too! I will definitely keep them coming then. Thank you so much!!!
I love these diabetic friendly dessert recipe series Allie! The combination of Meyer lemons and thyme sounds delicious and I definitely need to try it! Lucky you for having some fresh thyme in the garden… nothing survived here 🙂
Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning Mira! I’m so sorry your herbs didn’t make it. We lost everything but the thyme, it’s a real trooper!
These are so beautiful Allie! So funny because at this very second I’m currently making some pots de creme! LOVING this flavor combo. So creative and I’m a huge fan of lemon with thyme. And isn’t thyme great?! You pretty much CAN’T kill it, no matter how hard you try haha! Love that it’s surviving this brutal winter!
It’s not just surviving, it’s flourishing! Kinda incredible. And yes, lemon and thyme are an amazing combo. So funny you are making pots de creme too! Great minds, lol!
Your thyme is doing better than me with this snow haha 🙂 Love how you used it in this recipe! We all need some lemon to brighten up our meals right now and these pots de crème are absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Mary Frances! You are such a sweetheart!
That is a fantastic flavor combo! I’ve tried lemon + thyme in a dessert before, it came out great. This custard variation sounds wonderful 🙂
Thank you so much June! My husband loves to combine unexpected flavors, so he really liked it too 🙂
Love the lemon thyme combination! These are beautiful!
Thank you Jessica! Hope you had a great weekend my friend!
Congratulations on your nomination, Allie! What a great accomplishment, and you fit right in with the other amazing bloggers in the group 🙂 It must be torture for your poor husband, but I think that diabetes is a very hereditary condition. One side of my family does have diabetes, so that’s one of the many reasons that I eat sensibly, exercise regularly, and (even though I bake all the time), limit my sweets. These lemon and thyme pots de creme look so good. I’m also eager for spring!
Thank you so much Aida! I must admit I feel a little out of place among those giants but it sure is an honor. You are so smart to take such good care of yourself. My husband wishes he had done more when he was younger to prevent this disease. But I am sure you are right, it would have caught up with him sooner or later. I hope the snow is melting up your way! Hurry up Spring!
Your thyme looks so pretty in the snow. I bet this is such a delicious refreshing dessert, I can’t wait to try it.
Aw, thank you so much Janette! xoxo
I love citrus + herb combinations!!! These delicate pots de creme are sooo pretty and elegant. I think you’re so sweet for making these for your husband 🙂
Hey it’s the least I can do right? I mean how bad is it that he has to look at all these sugary sweets day in and day out!
These are so pretty and I love that you used a herb in dessert – I haven’t used thyme in dessert yet, but I love it’s taste, so I may have to experiment!
Thank you so much Annie! I like adding herbs to my desserts every once in a while and my husband especially liked this combo. Have fun and enjoy!