35 Best Lemon Desserts That Are Pure Sunshine
When life gives you lemons, bake something sweet.
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If you're a fan of all things sweet and tart, 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. From lemon blueberry cake to no-bake lemon cheesecake, these citrusy treats will take you from spring desserts to summer and beyond. And with sunny season around the corner, these lemon desserts are sure to add a bright and cheery element to your Easter menu, graduation party, Mother's Day brunch, or any backyard cookout.
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. Ree's got recipes for lemon pound cake, lemon meringue pie, and lemon bars that will become staples on your baking list for years to come. They'll be like a slice of pure sunshine no matter what season it is!
A few quick tips 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! And if your recipe calls for juice and zest, make sure to zest first. Taking the rind off a whole fruit versus a squished half is so much easier. Happy baking, fellow lemon lovers!
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
These cookies are made with both lemon juice and lemon zest for double the 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 dessert heaven! The classic sweet-tart combo will also look stunning on your table, too.
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake 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. This recipe will teach you all three!
Get the Classic Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
Lemon–Poppy Seed Scones
These scones have double the lemon flavor thanks to the sweet lemon glaze on top. Serve them up for brunch or just an afternoon snack.
Get Ree's Lemon–Poppy Seed Scones 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 when you need a sweet treat.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
Easy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
There's no oven required at all 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 Tart
Between the tart filling and the buttery crust, there's something so simple, yet so elegant when it comes to this lemon tart.
Get the Lemon Tart recipe.
Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake
Any cake that can be served at breakfast, brunch, or dessert is worth saving in our opinion. This one even has a simple glaze that you can whip up in minutes!
Get the Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake recipe.
Lemon Curd Ripple Ice Cream
It's always homemade ice cream season! You can make both the lemon curd and the ice cream from scratch or take a shortcut with store-bought curd.
Get the Lemon Curd Ripple Ice Cream 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. It's so unique!
Get the Atlantic Beach Pie 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, sunny days.
Get the Frozen Lemonade 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Lemon Coconut Pudding Cups
Time for a cup full of tropical flavors! If you've never made pudding before, you're in for such a creamy, dreamy treat. It's made all the better with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Get the Lemon Coconut Pudding Cups recipe.
Meyer Lemon, Ginger, and Turmeric Cake
You'll be absolutely amazed by the color of this cake when you slice into it. If you can't find Meyer lemons, you can substitute regular lemons instead. The result will just be a little more tart.
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