Who doesn’t love that feeling of stepping outside on the first warm day of the season and realizing that you need to remove a layer, as the springtime sunshine warms you all the way down to your soul? If we could encapsulate that feeling in a dessert, it would have to be kissed by lemon, the very color and flavor of a ray of light.
We’ve got lots of spring-y dessert ideas, whether you’re looking for something casual, like crisp, tart cookies for a brunch buffet, or something more over-the-top, like a bright and fresh cake lightened further with clouds of whipped cream. Ready to start baking? Try the most-lemony lemon bar of all time.
We put lemon zest in the crust, upped the pucker in the filling and put lemon candy on top. It’s the bar for the ultimate lemon lover.
Lemon Meringue Pie
We love this from-scratch rendition of the classic, which Ree simplifies in every way. The recipe uses pecan shortbread cookies instead of graham crackers for the base, giving it a subtle toasty nuttiness.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Anyone you hand one of these cookies to will have a delight of recognition—they resemble their chocolate cousins that are so popular around the holidays. But these are lighter and brighter, just right for this time of year. The key to their wonderful crisp but chewy texture is a double coating of sugars before baking—confectioners’, for little hits of sweetness here and there, and granulated, for extra crunch.
Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake
Lemon and poppy seeds have a natural affinity for one another, the citrus gaining a bit of interest with every textural pop of the latter, not to mention, they just make a slice of cake look cute. This simple yet elegant coffee cake works well for breakfast, dessert or an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.
Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Don’t worry if the supermarket strawberries are still a little sad; these pretty pink bars get their dose of springtime flavor and a rosy hue from freeze-dried strawberries, which accentuates the tartness of the lemon in a wonderful way.
Nonna’s Lemon Ricotta Biscuits
Giada’s ricotta muffins are sprinkled with sugar and slivered almonds for a textural crunch up top, in this sweet take on a morning muffin.
Tart Lemon Tiramisu
Have you ever thought that tiramisu is such a perfect dessert that you wished it came in more flavors? Enter the lemon tiramisu, just as pick-me-up as the original, but with lots of tart lemon flavor in place of the coffee, which punctuates practically any meal in an irresistible fashion.
Blueberry-Lemon Tart
Tyler combines two of spring’s most-vibrant flavors with this eye-pleasing tart. If you’re new to working with pastry, a fluted tart shell can be your friend, giving it a decorative edge with no expertise required. Simply add blueberries to your prepared tart shell before pouring on a zesty homemade lemon custard.
Lemon Rice Pudding
Lemon isn’t always about making you pucker; sometimes it can comfort, too, here, adding a little something extra to Ree’s homey rice pudding. Some freshly grated zest on top reinforces the lemony depth below.
Lemon Bread Pudding
Bring a little extra sunshine to this classic, which works beautifully as a brunchy or dinner dessert. A little bourbon whipped cream brings an edge to the flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
