35 Best Lemon Desserts That Are Perfectly Tart and Sweet
When life gives you lemons… make dessert! 🍋
If you're a fan of all things sweet, tart, and zingy, you're not alone! Ree Drummond loves her lemon desserts, especially come springtime! "Lemons are year-round, but they always seem so springy to me," she says. She's got recipes for lemon pound cake, lemon meringue pie, and lemon bars that will become a staple on your baking list for years to come. Plus, given that the sunny season has finally arrived, these lemon desserts are sure to add a bright and cheery element to your backyard cookouts, graduation party, Mother’s Day brunch (or any brunch party for that matter). From lemon blueberry cake to no-bake lemon cheesecake, these citrusy treats will take you from spring desserts to summer and beyond.
Whether you're making bake sale goodies, surprising a friend with a batch of homemade sweet rolls, or simply looking to add some zing to your day, your plans should definitely involve one of these delicious lemon dessert recipes. Just one quick tip before you start baking: If a recipe calls for lemon juice, press and roll your lemons against the counter first before you halve and squeeze them—this will help you get the most juice out of them! Once your lemon treats are baked, pair them with a spring cocktail (or strawberry lemonade!) that's just as bright and refreshing.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
These cookies are made with both lemon juice and lemon zest for a big pop of citrus. They're a sweet-tart treat you'll want to make again and again.
Get the Lemon Crinkle Cookies recipe.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Lemons and blueberries are like a match made in heaven! The classic sweet-tart combo will also look stunning on your table, too.
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.
Frozen Lemonade
Made with vanilla ice cream and homemade lemonade, this recipe is the perfect combination of a refreshing beverage and a dessert. It's great for those warm and sunny days.
Get the Frozen Lemonade recipe.
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
The perfect lemon meringue pie consists of three components: a pie crust, lemon curd filling, and a toasted meringue topping that's piled high. Luckily, this recipe has all three!
Get the Classic Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
Lemon Tart
Between the sweet-tart filling and the buttery crust, there's something so elegant, yet simple when it comes to this lemon tart.
Get the Lemon Tart recipe.
Lemon Cake
Anyone would be happy to get a slice of this bright lemon cake. It's perfect for Mother's Day, birthdays, or just a Sunday afternoon.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
Individual Lemon Blueberry Trifle
Serving this trifle up in individual jars makes it so easy to bring on a picnic in the park. It would also make a cute addition to a tea party or bridal shower.
Easy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
There's no oven, cooking, or heating required when it comes to this easy lemon cheesecake. Just whip it up during the week and you'll have a sweet dessert on the weekend.
Get the Easy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake recipe.
Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake
Any cake that can be served at breakfast, brunch, or dessert is worth saving if you ask us. This one even has a simple glaze that you can whip up in minutes!
Get the Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake recipe.
Atlantic Beach Pie
If you take lemon icebox pie and key lime pie and mash them together with a salty cracker crust, you get this Atlantic Beach pie that's so unique.
Get the Atlantic Beach Pie recipe.
Homemade Lemon Curd
Creamy, tangy lemon curd is used in many of these lemon desserts, but it can also be a dessert in and of itself! Just serve it up over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a bowl of fresh berries.
Get the Homemade Lemon Curd recipe.
Lemon Icebox Pie
On a warm afternoon, it's hard to beat this chilled lemon pie. You may even find yourself sneaking a slice right out of the fridge.
Get the Lemon Icebox Pie recipe.
Lemon Pound Cake
Lemon pound cake is amazing on its own—but it's totally irresistible with a lemony glaze on top!
Get Ree's Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
Lemon Bars
These bars are big on crust—just the way Ree likes 'em! They're sweet, tangy, and delicious.
Get Ree's Lemon Bars recipe.
Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting
From the floral frosting to the lemony cupcake base. everything about these treats screams springtime! The pretty purple color makes them a cute recipe for Easter too.
Mini Lemon Meringue Pies
Give lemon meringue pie a new twist: This fun take on the classic retro dessert comes in individual-size bowls!
Get Ree's Mini Lemon Meringue Pies recipe.
Citrus Butter Cookies
These cookies are for lemon lovers—and orange and lime lovers, too! They're packed with three kinds of citrus for extra zesty flavor.
Get Ree's Citrus Butter Cookies recipe.
Double Lemon Cupcakes
Ree's extra-lemony cupcakes have zest in the batter and in the frosting. For the finishing touch, try topping them with candied lemon peel.
Get Ree's Double Lemon Cupcakes recipe.
Lemon Lime Pound Cake
If you've ever wondered what your favorite lemon-lime soda tastes like in cake form, this is it! The zest on top gives this cake a little extra zing.
Get Ree's Lemon Lime Pound Cake recipe.
Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake
This is a bright, citrusy take on a classic coffee cake—and a great way to use zucchini. Bonus: It tastes even better the next day.
Get the Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake recipe.
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