Imagine savoring treats that mix sweet and tangy flavors just right, thanks to the lively punch from lemons.
They’re bright, fresh, and perfect for any occasion!
Lemons are probably the most famous fruit in the world, but they’re also great for cooking.
They’re brimming with juicy texture and taste that’ll make you want to eat more.
Plus, they’re so much better for you than regular lemons.
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, and they’re also low in calories and sugar.
It’s no wonder they’re the perfect ingredient for dessert.
So check out these lemon desserts below and see if any of them catch your fancy!
1. Lemon Mousse
If you think lemon mousse is just for the summer, think again.
It’s got a delectable depth of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds from start to finish.
The best part is, it’s super easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round.
So whether you like sweet or tart flavors, this lemon mousse recipe will have you hooked.
2. Tarte Au Citron
I can’t get over how delicious this dessert is!
And I don’t just say that because it looks so pretty.
It has a citrusy sweetness, with a subtle kick from the lemon.
Plus, it’s topped with five-spice powder for a wonderfully spicy flavor.
The best part is that this recipe only requires three ingredients – lemon juice, sugar, and orange zest.
So you can make your own or buy ready-made.
Besides the color and flavor, another reason why I love this dessert so much is its appearance.
While most desserts look great on their own, this one pops with bright yellow hues.
3. Gooey Lemon Butter Cake
A moist and tangy cake with a lemon glaze, this is a tasty twist on the chocolate bundt cake.
The batter uses basic ingredients like oil, eggs, sugar, and flour.
However, it’s topped with lemon curd that makes it even more decadent.
This recipe is so easy to make.
The only thing you need is a little patience.
But once you get the hang of the process, you’ll be making this cake all year long!
4. Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is a perfect summer dessert that’s light, creamy, and lovely on its own.
It takes about 30 minutes to prepare, but you’ll need to let it chill for at least 6 hours before serving.
Although the lemon will help keep any mold from forming, it won’t be as tart.
You can also add in some fresh berries if you prefer it a little sweeter.
5. Lemon Pie
If you’re a fan of lemon desserts, you’ll love this glorious lemon pie.
The tartness of the lemons combined with the sweetness of the sugar makes for such a wonderful pair.
This recipe has a slightly buttery crust that pairs perfectly with the citrus filling.
Between its tangy and zesty flavor, it’s also wonderfully refreshing.
You can even serve it as an appetizer or dessert!
6. Lemon Oreo Dessert
Here’s another simple recipe that’ll make your mouth water.
It’s an Oreo cookie, covered in a thick lemon cream cheese frosting.
And even though it looks like something you’d find at a pizza parlor, it couldn’t be easier to make.
The key is to use real oreos for the filling, not those fake ones from the store.
They preserve their moisture so well, and they won’t melt on you after sitting for too long.
Of course, if you have a few extra in the freezer just waiting to be used up (or just need more Oreos), go ahead and throw them into the mix.
7. Lemon Coconut Bars
Lemon and coconut are such a wonderful combination.
And these bars are phenomenal!
It’s that perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, with just the right amount of crunch.
Serve them for breakfast, dessert, or as a light midday snack.
They’re also great to take on your next camping trip because they keep well in the ziplock bag.
8. Lemon Curd Shortbread Tart
Take a break from the fuss of baked goods and prepare yourself for this lemon curd shortbread tart.
This recipe is super easy to make and requires no baking.
Simply combine your ingredients and bake in a springform or custard dish.
But don’t worry, it only takes 30 minutes.
You can serve this as it is or top with cream cheese and chocolate chips.
But either way, it will be devoured quickly!
9. Lemon Meltaway Cookies
While these are technically lemon bars, you’ll only make two instead of the usual three layers.
That means more cookies in the middle, once again making for a lighter texture and taste.
They also have an added layer of chocolate crumbles that both melt away and add a bit of crunch to every bite.
If you want to make them even better, try adding some dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top.
You may need to add extra time to get them out of the oven!
10. Lemon Brownies
This lemon brownies recipe is the ultimate way to end your day.
Your taste buds will thank you!
The combination of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors makes these brownies irresistible.
And they’re so easy to make.
Just a few simple ingredients will get you there!
11. Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are the perfect fall dessert.
The combination of lemon, brown sugar, and oat flour is irresistible.
A slightly sweet but not overly sweet treat, these bars are easy to make and always a hit with your friends.
These treats have all the flavors you love in a lemony delicious treat.
From tart and refreshing lemon to crumbly sandy topping, this recipe has it all.
Plus, they’re great for any occasion.
12. Limoncello Tiramisu
This limoncello tiramisu is the perfect way to celebrate summer.
It’s sweet, creamy, and light with just enough bitterness from the lemon.
The cherry tomatoes add a nice pop of color in every bite.
You can use any fresh or frozen tart cherry you like.
Serve this limoncello tiramisu with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luscious dessert that tastes as good as it feels!
13. Lemon Custard Cake
If you’ve never had a lemon cake at all, then this is the recipe for you!
It combines lemon curd and sweetened condensed milk to create the most decadent cake.
The star of the show here is the frosting, which is made with whipped cream and lemon curd.
So if you want to impress, make this Lemon Custard Cake.
It deserves a spot on your dessert table.
14. Keto Lemon Cheesecake
As much as I love a good lemon cheesecake, I appreciate it even more when it’s low in sugar.
This keto lemon cheesecake is the perfect dessert for this summer.
It’s light and refreshing but still rich and decadent at the same time.
This cheesecake is also incredibly creamy and doesn’t require any baking – just refrigeration!
15. Lemon White Chocolate Truffles
Light and buttery white chocolate truffles with a citrus-sweetened lemon topping?
Yes, please!
I’ll bet you didn’t know that it took 200 calories to make the truffles.
To be fair, they’re only 2 grams of carbs each.
And while they aren’t low carb, they do have very few calories.
So I think you can still enjoy them without guilt.
16. Lemon Lush Cake
This lemon-infused cake is just as beautiful and delectable as the strawberry one above.
It’s also a little bit more complicated, but it’s almost worth it.
The crust is rich and buttery, while the sponge is light and airy.
The lemon juice helps to infuse additional flavor into the cake, making it sweeter and juicier than normal.
17. Lemon Cream Pie
Lemon cream pie is the epitome of summer.
When you add an all-beef filling to a flaky, buttery crust, it’s a blessing.
This recipe is so good that even those who can’t stand beef will love it.
It has a fun fruity twist with Meyer lemons and light lemon juice.
You can serve this as is or top it with whipped cream and fresh berries for a delicious breakfast dessert.
18. Lemon Tartlets
I love lemon anything, and these tartlets are perfect for brightening up any meal.
They’re super easy to make, which is a definite plus if you’re in a rush.
And since there’s no piecing or proofing involved, this recipe is ideal for the summer months.
I like to serve mine with some fresh berries on top and some ice cream on the side.
It makes it so easy to get that balance between sweet and tangy!
19. Lemon Curd Loaf Cake
The flavor here is so incredible, it’s impossible not to make this one of your favorites.
It’s a light and airy lemon cake with a thick and moist crumb.
And the lemon curd frosting?
I’m in.
This is my go-to dessert whenever I want something light and refreshing.
And no, it doesn’t taste like lemonade – it tastes like lemony goodness!
20. Oatmeal Lemon Cream Bars
Oatmeal lemon cream bars are a match to your favorite breakfast bar.
You’ll add lemon zest, honey, and vanilla extract right into the mix so you can feel good about eating it.
I love these for a quick grab and go snack when I’m running late.
You can have one of these prepackaged in just 5 minutes.
The only thing I don’t like about this recipe is that they don’t taste as good as my favorite homemade version.
So if you prefer the real deal, feel free to use this recipe instead.
21. Cheesecake Factory Italian Lemon Cream Cake
It’s time to bring out the big guns.
This cheesecake is incredible, and it’s made of only three ingredients.
The cake is insanely rich with a beautiful lemon cream filling that will make you feel light as air.
Oh, and the chocolate ganache topping? Well, let’s just say it has your name written all over it!
This recipe can be modified so you can use any kind of chocolate sauce or frosting, but I find lemon works best with something sweet and sour.
22. Lemon Lasagna
There’s nothing like a good lasagna.
It’s comfort food at its best.
This lemon version is just as scrumptious as the classic, but with a twist!
It features layers of ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan in white wine sauce.
The result is rich and creamy texture that’s sure to delight your tastebuds.
23. Lemon Cheesecake Mousse
Lemon cheesecake will always be one of my favorite desserts.
The bright, lemony flavor is just out of this world delicious and pairs so well with the creamy mousse.
This recipe uses a boxed lemon filling, but you can easily make your own if that’s what you prefer.
Once mixed and set, it needs just 5 minutes to chill before serving.
Add some whipped cream on top for extra decadence, or drizzle over any fruit pie filling!
24. Keto Lemon Pound Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
This lemon pound cake is light and fluffy with a zesty kick!
And a dollop of cream cheese frosting makes it moist, sweet, and wonderful.
Plus, the whole thing only takes 30 minutes to make.
The wait time is minimal, so you can have this delicious treat ready to go in just 20 minutes.
Serve it for breakfast or dessert.
It’s just as tasty either way!
25. Lemon Lava Cake
This cake is like a treat without any of the guilt.
It’s a simple sponge cake topped with lemon juice and zest, softened butter, and a generous helping of brown sugar.
You’ll also bake it in foil to keep it nice and crisp.
Top this with your favorite frosting or sprinkle it with powdered sugar to see what kind of reaction you give it!
25 Simple Lemon Dessert Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 lemon
- 4 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease your 8x8x9-inch baking pan sparingly. It’s not required, but I prefer to line it with parchment paper to make it easier to remove the brownies for glazing and slicing.
- In a mixing dish, combine the butter and sugar and beat until frothy.
- One at a time, stir in the eggs.
- adding eggs to the lemon brownie recipe
- Add the lemon zest and juice. It should be noted that the batter could appear curdled at this point, but don’t worry, that’s normal, and it will straighten up when you incorporate the flour.
- Fold in the flour after adding the salt, swirling just long enough to combine everything without over-mixing.
- Using an offset spatula, spread the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the middle is barely set. You want these to have a fudgy texture, so try not to overbake them! When these brownies are finished, the top won’t be as “springy” as a cake is.
- Let the pan to cool for about 20 minutes before using the parchment paper as a “sling” to remove the brownies out and finish cooling on a rack. Let the brownies to cool in the pan on a rack if you didn’t use parchment paper.
- Make a thick but pourable glaze by combining sugar and just enough lemon juice. Spread on top of the brownies when they have fully cooled. If desired, garnish with a little lemon zest. Slice when the glaze has had time to set.
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I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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