Our Best Lemon Dessert Recipes — A Citrus Celebration!


SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

We are here to celebrate summer with lemons! From the classic lemon tart to the humble yet heavenly lemon bars, we’ve pulled together our best lemon dessert recipes.

Join us on this journey as we explore our favorite lemon recipes — and some tips along the way.

A bowl of fresh lemons ready to be zested and juiced.

From Ina Garten’s lemon bars to cool and creamy lemon cheesecakes, there are so many delicious recipes to explore. So, tie on your apron, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in the world’s best summer foods – where every spoonful is a burst of sunshine! 🍋✨

🍋 Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars

First, we’re starting off this list with the most popular dessert made with lemon: Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars are to die for. They are so darn good that they deserve a whole section on their own. The perfect balance of tangy and sweet, these lemon bars are a crowd pleaser and an easy recipe to whip up. The secret ingredient? Fresh lemon juice and powdered sugar, a classic dessert combination.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars

As a bonus, you can make these amazing bars and freeze them. Learn the details in our post about freezing lemon bars. fresh raspberries creates a harmonious blend. Perfect for individual servings, these mini bundt cakes are sure to be a hit at any summer gathering.

🍋 Lemon Cakes: A Symphony of Citrus Delights

And second, in the world of summer desserts, lemon cakes hold a special place in the hearts of those who crave a balance of sweet and tart. Each slice is a celebration of the sunny season, and we’ve handpicked a variety of lemon cakes that are sure to brighten up your table. 🍰🍋

Ina Garten’s Perfect Lemon Cake – Again, the Barefoot Contessa wins the day. Moreover, when it comes to lemon cakes, Ina Garten’s recipe is the pinnacle of perfection. And we love the tender crumb and robust lemon flavor, finished with a light lemon syrup and a delicate glaze.

Lemon Jell-O Cake

Lemon Jello Cake – Obviously a nostalgic nod to the past, this cake is a moist and airy delight with a refreshing jello glaze that glistens atop. It’s a simple yet satisfying dessert that brings back memories of family picnics and backyard barbecues.

Strawberry Frosted Lemon Cake

Strawberry Frosted Lemon Layer Cake – This showstopper features layers of zesty lemon cake, complemented by a luscious strawberry frosting. The combination of lemon and strawberry is a classic duo. It never fails to impress, making this cake a festive centerpiece for summer celebrations.

Better Than… Lemons Poke Cake Recipe

Lemon Curd Poke Cake – Imagine a soft, fluffy cake with pockets of tangy lemon curd hidden within. Each forkful is a surprise, with bursts of lemony goodness that melt in your mouth. This cake is a playful twist on the traditional, offering a fun and interactive dessert experience.

🍋 Lemon Bundt Cakes

A recipe for homemade lemon poppyseed pound cake infused with a lemony simple syrup and topped with a lemon glaze.

Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake – The poppy seeds add a subtle crunch to the soft cake, creating a delightful textural contrast. The lemon glaze drizzled over the top adds an extra layer of flavor and makes for an elegant presentation.

These mini bundt cakes are bursting with lemon flavor, soaked in a sweet lemon syrup, and filled with juicy raspberries.

Raspberry Lemon Mini Bundt Cakes – These petite treats are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. The zesty lemon cake paired with the sweet burst of

🍋 Lemons for Breakfast: A Citrus Delight

lemon chia poppyseed muffins

Lemon Chia Seed Pudding Muffins: These delightful muffins combine the gelatinous texture of chia seeds meets the zing of lemon. This combo creates a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition.

Lemon Poppyseed Banana Bread

Lemon Poppyseed Banana Bread: Transform your classic banana bread with a lemony lift. The poppy seeds add a subtle crunch, while the lemon brings a refreshing tang to each slice.

Never-Dry Lemon Blueberry Scones recipe

Lemon Blueberry Scones: Pair your morning coffee or tea with these buttery scones! These are bursting with juicy blueberries and a vibrant lemony zest that cuts through the sweetness.

Lemon Cream Smoothie

Lemon Cream Smoothie: For a quick and nourishing option, blend up this smoothie that combines the creaminess of yogurt with the citrusy punch of lemon, offering a smooth start to your day.

lemon poppyseed muffins

Vanilla Almond Poppyseed Muffins with Lemon Glaze: These muffins are a soft, almond-infused treat. They are drizzled with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze.

Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls

Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls: Imagine cinnamon rolls but with a lemony makeover, a sweet and tart combination of lemon and blueberries wrapped in a soft dough.

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup: Fluffy pancakes dotted with poppy seeds and soaked in homemade strawberry syrup provide a stack of happiness.

Baked Lemon Poppyseed Donuts

Baked Lemon Poppyseed Donuts: Skip the frying and opt for these baked donuts. They’re light, moist, and carry a lemony essence that’s sure to brighten up your breakfast table.

Lemon Dessert Recipes Roundup: A Citrus Collection

Lemon Chess Bread Pudding Recipe

Lemon Bread Pudding: Elevate your bread pudding! The addition of lemon zest and juice make for a dessert that’s both comforting and refreshing.

Lemon White Chocolate M&M Cookies | www.somethingswanky.com

White Chocolate Lemon M&M Cookies: Now you can brighten up your cookie jar with these colorful treats that combine the sweetness of white chocolate with the tartness of lemon.

homemade lemon curd

Homemade Lemon Curd: Again, we get versatile and delicious. While this curd can be used as a spread, it’s also great as a filling, or topping for various desserts, adding a rich lemony essence.

lemon blueberry cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce: First, take creamy cheesecake. Then add zesty lemon. Finally, top with a sweet and tangy blueberry sauce for a match made in heaven

lemon meringue pie

Marshmallow Lemon Meringue Pie: Can you say showstopper? It features a fluffy marshmallow meringue topping that you’ll love. This pie is lightly toasted to perfection. (You should also try this Lemon Meringue Pie Dip.)

White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars

White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars: The combination of white chocolate and lemon in these streusel bars creates a balance of flavors that’s truly irresistible.

fresh lemon bars made with a delicious poppy seed crust

Lemon Poppy Seed Bars: These bars are a twist on the classic muffin flavor, offering a dense, moist texture and a delightful crunch from the poppy seeds.

Lemon White Chocolate Muddy Buddies on Something Swanky

Lemon White Chocolate Muddy Buddies: A snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! You coat these muddy buddies in a lemony, white chocolate mixture and dusted with powdered sugar.

Lemon White Chocolate Cheesecakes

Lemon White Chocolate Cheesecake in Jars: These jarred cheesecakes are a portable and charming way to enjoy a decadent dessert.

Why We Love These Lemon Dessert Recipes

Each of these lemon dessert recipes in this collection celebrates the lemon’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. A quick snack or a lavish dessert, these lemon recipes will please your palate and add a summer splash of citrus! 🍋🌻

Scroll to Top