When life gives you lemons, why not use them to make a bright, citrus-forward dessert? Thanks to their vibrant yellow hue and refreshing zing, lemons bring a little bit of sunshine and a whole lot of flavor to every bite of these tasty treats—especially in the spring and summer.
If you’re looking to brighten up your baking, scroll through this list below. You’ll find timeless classics like lemon meringue pie and lemon bars, plus fun variations like a pink lemonade sheet cake and spoonable lemon pudding cakes.
A few quick tips before you start baking: If a recipe calls for fresh lemon juice, press and roll your lemons against your kitchen counter before halving and squeezing them—this will help you maximize the juice! And if your recipe calls for juice and zest, make sure to zest your lemon first, since removing the rind from a whole fruit is a lot easier than chipping away at a squished half. Happy baking, fellow lemon lovers!
1) Lemon Pudding Cakes
Photo credit: Gordon Sawyer
These lemon pudding cakes are a citrusy take on a chocolate lava cake. Top each ramekin with a dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a sprinkle of berries for a simple dinner-party dessert.
Get the Lemon Pudding Cakes recipe.
2) Lemon Bars
Photo credit: Kate Sears
Each of these lemon bars features a cool citrus filling, plus a buttery crust and powdered-sugar coating top it off beautifully.
Get Ree’s Lemon Bars recipe.
3) Pink Lemonade Pie
Photo credit: David Malosh
Enjoy the refreshing, frosty flavors of pink lemonade by transforming the classic summer drink into a dreamy, no-bake pie! This easy lemon dessert uses shortcuts like instant pudding mix and powdered pink lemonade mix that’ll save you time and effort.
Get Ree’s Pink Lemonade Pie recipe.
4) Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake
Photo credit: David Malosh
If you’re looking for a fun fusion of flavors, pair zesty lemon with sweet blueberry. Since it yields 16 slices, this recipe is perfect for a summer cookout or pool party.
Get Ree’s Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake recipe.
5) Double Lemon Cupcakes
Photo credit: Con Poulos
A lemon dessert with double the lemon means only one thing: It’s doubly delicious. Every inch of this bite-sized treat is filled with the tangy taste of citrus. There’s even a candied lemon peel on top!
Get Ree’s Double Lemon Cupcakes recipe.
6) Lemon Chess Pie
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
If you take chess pie and lemon bars and mash them together, you get this smooth, citrusy lemon chess pie. Like all your favorite lemon bars, this one is also finished off with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Get Ree’s Lemon Chess Pie recipe.
7) Lemon Poppy Seed Sheet Cake
Photo credit: Stacy Allen
Any cake that you can eat during breakfast, brunch, or post-dinner dessert is worth making! This crowd-pleasing sheet cake also calls for a simple lemon-poppy seed glaze that you can whip up in mere minutes.
Get the Lemon Poppy Seed Sheet Cake recipe.
8) Lemon Meltaways
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
Just like the name promises, these delicate cookies truly melt in your mouth! Each slice-and-bake treat is complete with a zingy glaze that’s made from lemon juice, lemon zest, and powdered sugar, which will add an extra burst of lemony goodness.
Get Ree’s Lemon Meltaways recipe.
9) Lemon White Chocolate Truffles
Photo credit: David Malosh
These beautiful bites have a mix of vanilla sandwich cookies, cream cheese, and lemon extract that’s rolled to perfection before coated in creamy white chocolate. Top these lemon desserts off with yellow sprinkles for a sunny, cheerful touch.
Get Ree’s Lemon White Chocolate Truffles recipe.
10) Lemon Cake
Photo credit: Will Dickey
Not only are the layers of golden cake bursting with bright lemon flavors, but they’re also covered in a lemony buttercream frosting! While the edible flowers are optional, they make the lemon dessert look like a sweet spring escape.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
11) Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
Photo credit: Will Dickey
Rich, silky lemon curd meets light, airy meringue in this classic pie recipe that’s as sweet as a sunny afternoon. Use a torch or the broiler to get those toasty meringue swirls.
Get the Classic Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
12) Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Photo credit: Caitlin Bensel
There are so many different takes on crinkle cookies, but these lemony bites are the ideal variation for spring and summer. With bright citrus and powdered sugar, each cookie tastes like a sunny stroll through the sand.
Get the Lemon Crinkle Cookies recipe.
13) Lemon Raspberry Cake
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
The soft lemon cake and light-pink frosting turn this cake into a lemon dessert that’s delicious as it is beautiful. The best part? There’s a sweet raspberry jam filling hiding inside!
Get the Lemon Raspberry Cake recipe.
14) Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
These simple shortbread cookies have lemon zest and lemon juice to thank for their zesty citrus flavor. With a charming floral stamp design, they’re perfect for springtime!
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
15) Lemon Tart
Photo credit: Will Dickey
Between the tangy, golden-yellow filling and the crunchy, buttery crust, this lemon tart is so simple yet so elegant. As the centerpiece of your table, this lemon dessert will freshen up any spring or summer get-together.
Get the Lemon Tart recipe.
16) Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
The pretty pink color of this sheet cake is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face! Not to mention, this dessert features the classic flavor combination of sweet strawberries and tart lemon. It’ll remind you of a nostalgic glass of pink lemonade!
Get Ree’s Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake recipe.
17) Easy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Photo credit: Will Dickey
No oven is required to churn out this easy lemon cheesecake recipe! Just mix up the ingredients before letting the cake firm up in the fridge, and you’ll have a sweet dessert ready to go in a few hours!
Get the Easy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake recipe.
18) Lemon Pound Cake
Photo credit: Con Poulos
Lemon pound cake is amazing on its own, but it’s totally irresistible with a lemony glaze on top. Include this lemon dessert on your Easter brunch menu or Mother’s Day breakfast!
Get Ree’s Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
19) Homemade Lemon Curd
Photo credit: Erin Merhar
So many of these lemon dessert recipes get their creamy texture and tangy taste from lemon curd. But this staple ingredient can also stand alone as its own dessert! Just serve it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or eat it by the spoonful with a bowl of berries.
Get the Homemade Lemon Curd recipe.
20) Lemon Icebox Pie
Photo credit: Will Dickey
It’s hard to beat a slice of this chilled lemon pie (topped with whipped cream, of course!) on a sweltering summer afternoon. You may even find yourself cooling off by sneaking a bite right out of the fridge!
Get the Lemon Icebox Pie recipe.
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