The Best Lemon Desserts
When life gives you lemons, make lemon dessert recipes! From lemon cupcakes to lemon cheesecakes, there are so many ways to celebrate this zesty, sweet and tart fruit.
Move over chocolate. Lemons always steal the show on a dessert table.
Bright and fresh, these zesty yellow fruits are full of flavor. When paired with sugar and other fruits, the flavor of lemon really shines.
We've pulled together some of our best lemon dessert recipes ever, and a few tips for baking with lemons.
Love lemon anything? Don't miss lemon chicken thighs and these side dishes for lemon chicken
Tips for Baking with Lemons
When cooking with lemons or baking lemon dessert recipes, it's always good to use fresh juice. The bottled concentrate is totally acceptable in a pinch, but the best lemon flavor comes from fresh fruit.
If you need to zest and juice lemons, zest them first, then juice them. It's much easier (and safer) to zest a whole lemon.
When juicing lemons, take them out of the fridge to come to room temperature. Cold lemons don't produce as much juice.
Lemon extract is another good ingredient to keep on hand, as it can add an extra punch of lemon flavor to desserts.
If you love having lemons around for dessert, you might want to invest in a few good tools:
- A high-quality lemon zester is key for getting the best zest.
- Vegetable peelers are great for getting big pieces of zest from the fruit.
- A citrus juicer — either a by-hand one or an electric juicer — is key for getting the most out of your fruit.
- A sharp knife or mandoline is vital for getting perfect lemon slices.
Best Lemons for Desserts
When you are baking with lemons, it's important to choose the right kind of lemon.
Your standard lemon will err more on the edge of sour than sweet. If pairing with sugar or other fruits, a regular lemon will work just fine.
Meyer lemons are a type of lemon that is a little sweeter. That's because Meyer lemons are a hybrid between a lemon and a Mandarin orange.
Meyer lemons are excellent in any recipe where lemon flavor needs to shine a little brighter without being too sour. They are especially great for lemonade recipes like strawberry lemonade and orange lemonade.
There are other types of lemons available, including Lisbon, Genoa and Ponderosa, but regular lemons and Meyer lemons are most common in American grocery stores.
Now, let's get into the best lemon dessert recipes!
Lemon Dessert Recipes
Summer has arrived! That means it's time for lemons. Go grab some and make a few of these tasty lemon dessert recipes.
Easy Lemon Bars are the perfect summer treat! These bars are bursting with lemon flavor and have the perfect level of complimentary sweetness. Even layers of buttery crust and sweet lemon filling make each bite a dream!
This lemon glaze blueberry quick bread is deceivingly easy! It's the perfect quick dessert or breakfast treat!
If you're looking for a perfect citrus dessert, these sweet-tart lemon cupcakes topped with lemon buttercream are definitely for you. Lemon lovers will want to lick the frosting bowl clean.
Healthy lemon blueberry muffins are the perfect easy muffin recipe. Plus, they're refined sugar-free, making them a guilt-free way to consume a delicious treat!
Mini Lemon Cheesecakes are the perfect bite-size dessert for a party or gathering. These sweet little bites will not last long at your next gathering. The lemon flavor is light and summery but perfect for any time of year.
This Lemon Blueberry Scones recipe is the perfect way to start your morning. These flaky scones are filled with blueberries, topped with lemon glaze and so easy to make.
These peach lemonade popsicles are the perfect summer treat! Cool down with these refined sugar-free, fruity and oh-so-delicious pops.
These fluffy lemon poppy seed muffins are the perfect citrusy treat! Make these as a dessert or a delicious snack to brighten your day.
Sticky sweet and slightly tart, this recipe for lemon loaf is just too dang good! You'll love this easy recipe.
Lemon curd is one of the most versatile dessert toppings around! Learn how to make this lemon curd recipe and you’ll come back to it time and again for topping everything from pancakes to cheesecake and more. It is a perfect filling to add to phyllo cups for an easy party dessert that serves a crowd.
These Lemon Cream Sandwich Cookies are a dream! They’re grain-free, dairy-free and paleo but no one will ever guess. Sweet lemony, slightly chewy sugar cookies are filled with a lemon cream filling to make delicious and surprisingly easy sandwich cookies! Family-approved and perfect for any gathering or whenever you need a treat.
This Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake is perfect for summer! Packed with the delicious flavors of fresh lemon and raspberries, this coffee cake is sure to become a brunchtime favorite!
Lemon Drop Cookies are soft, delicate puffs of sweet-tart flavor. Light and fluffy, they’re the perfect addition to enjoy any time of year.
Even More Lemon Recipes
If you have leftover lemons, try them in these savory recipes:
