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There’s something about lemon desserts that just feels fresh, bright, and endlessly craveable. If you’re a lemon lover, you’re in for a treat! We’ve rounded up 14 of our favorite easy lemon desserts, from classic bars and showstopping pies to soft cookies and tender cakes.
Whether you’re baking for a spring gathering, a summer cookout, or just because you’ve got a bag of lemons on the counter, there’s something in this list for every skill level and every occasion. Let’s get to baking!
Cakes & Cupcakes
When it comes to lemon desserts, cakes and cupcakes are where that bright citrus flavor really gets to shine. From the ultra-moist Lemon Jello Cake to gorgeous Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes, every recipe in this section is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Grab your mixing bowl because one of these beauties is about to become your new favorite.
Lemon Jello Cake
Lemon Cake with Frosting
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Lemon Poppy Mini Bundts
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Iced Meyer Lemon Cake
Bars & Tarts
If you ask me, bars and tarts are the ultimate stress-free way to serve a crowd without sacrificing any of the wow factor. They slice up beautifully, travel like a dream, and somehow taste even better after a little time in the fridge. These lemon bars and tarts hit every note you want in a citrus dessert.
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Raspberry Lemon Tart Bars
Mom’s Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Bars
Cookies & Muffins
Sometimes the best lemon dessert is the one you can grab straight off the cooling rack without any fuss, and that is exactly what this section is all about. These lemon cookies and muffins are quick to make, easy to share, and packed with that bright, zippy citrus flavor we just can’t get enough of. These are dangerously good… basically, you need all of them.
Soft Lemon Cheesecake Cookies
Glazed Lemon Cookies
Lemon Drop Cookies
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
From melt-in-your-mouth cookies to towering meringue pies, these lemon desserts never disappoint. The best part? Most of these recipes come together with simple pantry staples and a handful of fresh lemons, making them as easy as they are impressive.
Lemon Jello Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 Box Lemon Cake Mix, 15.25 oz
- 4 Eggs, large
- 1 ⅓ Cups Water
- 2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 Package Lemon Jello, small box — 3 oz
For the Icing
- 2 Lemons, juiced
- 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
Make the Jello Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and sprinkle with flour.
- Tip and tap the edges of the cake pan to coat it with flour.
- In the bowl of a mixer, add the cake mix, eggs, water, oil and jello powder and mix together.1 Box Lemon Cake Mix, 4 Eggs, 1 ⅓ Cups Water, 2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil, 1 Package Lemon Jello
- Pour into the greased and floured pan.
- Bake for 27-30 minutes. While the cake is in the oven, prep the icing (see instructions below).
- When cake is done, poke all over with a fork while still hot.
- Immediately pour lemon icing over top.
Make the Lemon Icing:
- In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth.2 Lemons, 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
