26 Tart and Tangy Desserts for Lemon Lovers

Treat yourself with these bright and sunny lemon desserts

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/17/20
The Ultimate Lemon Posset

The Spruce

 

Lemon lovers, rejoice! The sunny, tart-meets-sweet flavor of everyone's favorite yellow citrus fruit shines brightly in our favorite lemon dessert recipes. You absolutely must use fresh lemons when making these recipes—bottled juice simply won't suffice! You'll be rewarded with powerful, puckery flavors and aromas that make your desserts sing. From classic lemon meringue pie to lemon cakes and cupcakes, cookies, custards, and more unusual desserts, we've got all the baking recipes you need to make the most of fresh lemon juice and zest.

Featured Video
  • 01 of 26

    Easy Lemon Meringue Pie

    Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

     The Spruce

    Lemon meringue pie is an all-American dessert that's been a family and diner favorite for decades. This is the classic recipe, with tangy, creamy, homemade lemon curd, and piles of fluffy, browned meringue on top.

  • 02 of 26

    Meyer Lemon Cake

    Lemon Cake

     

    Anna Kurzaeva/Getty Images

    Spring is Meyer lemon season, and there's no better time to make this moist and and fluffy lemon cake. Sweet Meyer lemons have very thin skins, making it possible to use the whole fruit in the cake batter. This delivers an intense lemony flavor that makes this tea cake truly special.

  • 03 of 26

    Lemon Creme Brulée

    Lemon Creme Brulee

    Diana Rattray

     

    If you love the creme brulée served at fine dining restaurants, you're sure to flip for this zingy special occasion dessert of lemon custard with a caramelized sugar crust. Prepare ramekins of custard and store in the fridge up to two days ahead, then use a kitchen torch (or your oven's broiler) to create the crispy sugar topping just before serving.

  • 04 of 26

    Lemon Truffle Pie

    Lemon Truffle Pie

    EmmaKStudio-E+-Getty Images

    Wow your brunch or dinner guests with this lemon truffle pie that has to be tasted to be believed! Spoon prepared lemon curd over a mixture of melted white chocolate and cream cheese, bake in a single pastry crust, and savor the aroma. Serve topped with whipped cream and garnish with lemon zest or slices.

    Continue to 5 of 26 below.
  • 05 of 26

    Best Ever Lemon Pound Cake

    Best Ever Lemon Pound Cake

    The Spruce

     

    Lemon pound cake makes a delightful afternoon treat for your book club or drop-in guests. This recipe is baked in a bundt pan, and finished with a lemony sugar glaze, for extra sweetness and zing. Send that lemon taste into overdrive by adding a teaspoon of salt to the cake batter.

  • 06 of 26

    Lemon Bars

    Lemon Bars

    Nadine Greeff/Stocksy United

    Enjoy these luscious lemon bars with a smooth intensely sweet-tart lemon any time. They make an especially great Mother's Day dessert. Finish the bars with lemon frosting for a beautiful look and even more tangy flavor.

  • 07 of 26

    Lemon Butter Cookies

    Lemon Butter Cookies

    Diana Rattray

     

    Simple, scrumptious lemon butter cookies topped with powdered sugar are perfect for dipping into your afternoon cup of tea, or sharing with friends at brunch and parties. Bake up a batch in just 30 minutes.

  • 08 of 26

    Vodka Lemon Sorbet

    Vodka Lemon Sorbet

    Sarah Bossert/E+/Getty Images

    Spike this sharp, tangy, lemon sorbet with plenty of fresh lemon juice, zest, and of course, vodka, to create a fantastic summer "adult" dessert for special occasion meals. Serve it in chilled martini glasses, as pictured, with a fresh mint garnish to complete the effect.

    Continue to 9 of 26 below.
  • 09 of 26

    Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Filling

    Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Filling

    Diana Rattray

    Create a lovely, lemon curd-filled layer cake for parties with this essential dessert recipe. Lemon's sweet and tangy flavors are front and center in the frosting, made with cream cheese and more lemon curd.

  • 10 of 26

    Torta Della Nonna

    Torta Della Nonna

    Anita Schecter

    The lemon in this classic Tuscan dessert is in the custard filling that is nestled in a sweet pastry crust. The torta is baked with a layer of pine nuts on top, creating a crunchy foil to the creamy center. A sprinkling of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch on this simple but elegant dessert.

  • 11 of 26

    Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake

    Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake

    Elaine Lemm

    Impress friends and family with this gorgeous lemon raspberry cheesecake that tastes as great as it looks — and that's saying something! You'll love its creamy, tart-meets-sweet filling, nestled in a homemade graham cracker crust.

  • 12 of 26

    Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

    Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

    You will find a great lemony zing in this blueberry upside-down cake. The two fruits are a perfect pairing, and the recipe is rather quick and simple. Bake this fruity, buttery cake for a special occasion or freeze it so you'll have a dessert ready to serve whenever needed.

    Continue to 13 of 26 below.
  • 13 of 26

    Classic Lemon Chess Pie

    Classic Lemon Chess Pie

    Diana Rattray

    Southern-style lemon chess pie makes a fabulous family dessert. Add plenty of fresh lemon juice and zest to the filling for tons of mouth-puckering flavor. Save yourself some prep time by using a store-bought unbaked pastry shell.

  • 14 of 26

    Lemon Lavender Pound Cake

    Lemon Lavender Pound Cake

    Diana Rattray

     

    Dried lavender flowers (available at health food stores, farmers markets, and online) add a subtle, elegant floral aroma to this bright-tasting lemon pound cake with lemon-lavender glaze. Serve it for special spring occasions and events, using additional buds to decorate the cake plate.

  • 15 of 26

    The Ultimate Lemon Posset

    The Ultimate Lemon Posset

    The Spruce

     

    Make these super-easy individual stovetop lemon custards any time you're expecting dinner guests and prepping dessert in advance. It only takes three ingredients and 15 minutes to make. Chill the mixture in ramekins in the fridge while you go about your day.

  • 16 of 26

    Lemon Bark

    Lemon Bark

    Elizabeth LaBau

     

    Lemon bark makes a fabulous homemade food gift, if you don't eat it all yourself first! Top layers of bittersweet dark and lemon-infused white chocolate with candied lemon peel to create this gorgeous, sharable candy.

    Continue to 17 of 26 below.
  • 17 of 26

    Lemon Chiffon Cake

    Lemon Chiffon Cake

    Kristina Vanni

    You can't go wrong with a homemade lemon chiffon cake. This recipe cooks in an ungreased tube pan and can feed a crowd. Make the cake ahead of time so that it has time to cool and drizzle it just before serving. It's perfect for a brunch, afternoon tea, party, or dinnertime dessert.

  • 18 of 26

    Lemon Cheesecake Mousse

    Lemon Cheesecake Mousse

    Laurel Randolph

    Kids and adults alike will inhale this fluffy lemon cheesecake mousse that's light enough to enjoy on warmer days. Add your favorite berries for garnish, and feel free to make it with key lime in place of lemon for a fun variation.

  • 19 of 26

    Classic French Lemon Tart

    Lemon Tart recipe

    The Spruce 

    Serve up a patisserie favorite with this simple, classic French lemon tart recipe. The tangy lemon filling is made with creme fraiche (or sour cream) for extra richness, creating a beautiful balance for the sweet, flaky pastry crust.

  • 20 of 26

    Lemon Marshmallows

    Lemon Marshmallows

    Elizabeth LaBau

    Homemade lemon marshmallows are tangy as all get-out, light as a feather, and kick store-bought marshmallows to the curb! Dip them into melted dark chocolate and let them set for a treat grown-ups will rave about, or dust them with powdered sugar for kids to enjoy.

    Continue to 21 of 26 below.
  • 21 of 26

    Blueberry Lemon Cake

    Blueberry Lemon Cake

     Kristina Vanni

    Lemon and blueberry is a classic combination, and for good reason. The sweet blueberries are a perfect pair to bright, tart lemon. This blueberry lemon bundt cake would make a lovely summertime dessert for brunch or dinner.

  • 22 of 26

    Dairy-Free Vegan Lemon Cupcakes

    Dairy-Free Vegan Lemon Cupcakes

    The Spruce

     

    Vegan lemon cupcakes are wonderful to enjoy in spring and summer, and make a great lunchbox treat. Olive oil and soy milk in the batter keeps these cupcakes extra-moist. Store the finished cupcakes in the fridge, or freeze up to three months.

  • 23 of 26

    French Lemon Souffle

    The Ultimate French Lemon Souffle

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

    You've heard of a cheese souffle, but have you ever tried a classic lemon dessert souffle? Making one is easier than you may think, using our step-by-step recipe. Sprinkled with powdered sugar, it makes a light yet satisfying dessert for dinner parties or a romantic dinner at home.

  • 24 of 26

    Indian Cham Cham Dessert with Lemon Juice and Saffron

    Indian Cham Cham Dessert with Lemon Juice and Saffron

    Jehangir Hanafi/Dreamstime

    Cham cham is a traditional North Indian dessert that comes in a variety of flavors. This treat requires a number of steps to make, but produces sweet, pillowy dough balls you'll dream about for weeks. If you're up for something different, try making a version that's flavored with freshly squeezed lemon juice and aromatic saffron.

    Continue to 25 of 26 below.
  • 25 of 26

    Easy Lemon Sorbet with Fresh Lemon Zest

    Easy Lemon Sorbet with Fresh Lemon Zest

    France Ruffenach/The Image Bank/Getty Images

    Whether you enjoy it for dessert or as a palate cleanser between courses, this ultra-smooth lemon sorbet is sure to please your taste buds. Use your ice cream maker to prepare it, and enjoy whenever you crave a simple cooling scoop of lemony goodness.

  • 26 of 26

    Creamy Lemon Dessert Sauce

    Creamy Lemon Dessert Sauce

    Lemon dessert sauce is delicious drizzled over fresh fruit, gingerbread, cakes of all kinds, and Sunday morning blueberry pancakes. This sauce boasts a thick, custard-like texture thanks to heavy cream and egg, and a wonderful sweet-tart flavor from fresh lemon juice.