42 Lemon Dessert Recipes As Lovely As They Are Sweet

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Updated on July 22, 2024

Southern Living Lemon Crinkle Cookies on a platter to serve — Photo:
Molly Bolton

Allow us to introduce you to our best lemon desserts of all time. We love cooking with all types of citrus including oranges, limes, and grapefruit, but there's something about lemon that holds a sweet spot in our heart. Especially when combined with other fresh fruit flavors, like blueberry or raspberry, lemon brings a brightness and tartness to desserts to make them dynamic. These bright and delicious lemon dessert ideas will be the hit of any gathering you bring them to, and we're sure everyone will ask you for the recipe.

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Lemon Lush

Two slices of Lemon Lush dessert on plates with forks with a glass of lemonade and a napkin. — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

We love a no-bake dessert, especially a refreshing lemon one. Tangy layers of lemon pudding and cream cheese make this Lemon Lush a delightfully zingy treat.

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Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake

Southern Living Blueberry Lemon Sheet Cake sliced on plates to serve — Jessica Furniss

When sour lemons pair with tart blueberries, it creates a crave-worthy dynamic flavor duo that is nearly irresistible. Impress your guests with the addition of candied lemon slices atop the luscious frosting.

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Lemon Freeze

Southern Living Lemon Freeze cut on plates to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sometimes called no-bake lemon bars, this retro dessert couldn't be easier to assemble thanks to store-bought shortcuts like jarred lemon curd.

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Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Everything you love about a traditional lemon pie is infused in this layered cheesecake. The toasted swoops of meringue on top are sure to impress anyone you serve it to.

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Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake

Southern Living Blueberry Lemon Sheet Cake sliced on plates to serve — Jessica Furniss

Pureed blueberries in the frosting give this sheet cake a beautiful pink hue, while lemon in both the cake batter and frosting lends this dessert a subtle zing.

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Lemon Granita

Southern Living Lemon Granita in glasses to serve with a larger dish of granita off to the side — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Think of this lemon granita as a grown-up slushy. You can even top them with Champagne, for a fun, slightly buzzy dessert.

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Lemon Chess Pie

Lemon Chess Pie - Southern Living — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

A sunny and bright spin on a Southern pie staple.

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Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping

Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Although this lemon cake is perfect for Easter, mix up the sprinkle decor and it can be your go-to lemon sheet cake year-round.

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Lemon-Lime Poke Cake

Lemon-Lime Poke Cake — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Poke cakes ensure that the inside of the cake has just as much flavor and moisture as the frosting.

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Cranberry Lemon Bars

Cranberry-Lemon Bars - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cranberries and lemons come together to create a colorful dessert that's both tangy and sweet.

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Lemon Bar Cheesecake

Lemon Bar Cheesecake — Photo: Jennifer Davick

Two of our favorite things (lemon + cheesecake) come together in one amazing cake. You're going to want to grab your springform pan immediately.

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Lemon-Cheese Layer Cake

Lemon-Cheese Layer Cake — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

We'll admit that this is not a casual baking project, but this 8-layer thing of beauty is well worth the effort.

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Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze

Lemon-Vanilla Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze — Hector Manuel Sanchez

The bright taste of lemon juice gives a touch of spring to this flavorful dessert.

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Classic Lemon Bars

Southern Living Classic Lemon Bars on a board cut and ready to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist Christine Keely

There's nothing like a classic lemon bar is there? As a bonus, this recipe includes two fun ways to top them, so you can put a fresh spin on the sweet treat.

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Citrus Pull-Apart Bread

Citrus Pull-Apart Bread — Hector Sanchez

We can't get enough of this sweet bread. The recipe makes two loaves—you can keep one and share the other, if you're feeling generous.

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Lemon Chiffon Pie

Southern Living Lemon Chiffon Pie whole ready to serve with plates and forks beside — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

You can use store-bought crust, if desired, to help this seven-ingredient pie come together a little easier.

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The Lemon Cheese Layer Cake

Lemon Cheese Layer Cake — Southern Living

You'll find homemade lemon curd sandwiched between the four layers of this lemon cake. The curd will need to chill for 8 hours after it's made, so make sure to prepare it in advance.

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Meyer Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake Bars — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

A marbled finish will wow your guests, but is easy to create.

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Lemon Meltaways

Lemon Meltaways — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

This recipe makes three-and-a-half dozen cookies, so you'll have plenty to go around at any gathering.

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake — Hector Sanchez

The Arnold Palmer is remade in cake form. We don't object. Make this cake tipsy by substituting 2 tablespoons vodka or bourbon for the lemon juice in the frosting.

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Shaker Lemon Pie

Shaker Lemon Pie — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

This old-fashioned pie is made with thinly sliced whole lemons—peels and all.

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No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hilegas

This cool and creamy dessert was made for hot Southern days.

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Lemon Bar Cake

Lemon Bar Cake — Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Lining your slow cooker with aluminum foil will make cleanup a breeze.

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Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake

Dreamy Lemon Cheesecake — Jennifer Causey

Prepare the lemon curd for this cheesecake up to two weeks in advance, just store it in the refrigerator.

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Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake

Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake — Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This multi-flavored cake is truly a labor of love, but the end result is worth it.

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Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie

Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling; Tina Bell Stamos

The meringue topping on this pie helps balance out the tartness of the citrus filling.

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Luscious Lemon Bars

Luscious lemon bars on parchment paper — Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

You can make this recipe up to one month ahead and freeze.

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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies — Southern Living

This big-batch recipe combines the tangy taste of lemon and sweet flavor of raspberry together for the perfect treat.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Lemon and raspberries? Well that's simply a match made in heaven.

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7UP Bundt Cake

Sugared Lemon-Lime Zest — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

With this classic recipe, your favorite soft drink transforms into an extra-elegant Bundt cake.

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Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie

Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What makes this Lemon Meringue Pie the best ever, you ask? The mile-high meringue, of course.

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Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars

Blueberry-Lemon Crunch Bars — Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

A crispy crumble topping is the cherry on top of these delectable, packable bars.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Lemonade Cake sliced and ready to serve

What better way to toast to the springtime than with this Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake?

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Lemon Loaf Cake

Lemon Loaf Cake — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Tender and moist, this cake is a beautiful complement to a cup of coffee.

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Lemon Drop Meringues

Lemon Drop Meringues — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Drop a little sunshine on your plate with these gorgeous citrus meringues.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Transform a box of cake mix into these bright cupcakes that taste totally homemade.

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Lemon Tiramisu

Lemon Tiramisu — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

This heavenly spin on tiramisu is ideal for spring.

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Lemon-Buttermilk Icebox Pie

Lemon-Buttermilk Icebox Pie — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

You can make your own graham cracker crust for this icebox pie or use store-bought to save some time.

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Blueberry Lemon Cake

Blueberry-Lemon Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

In addition to the pictured blueberries, feel free to garnish the top of this layer cake with candied lemon peels as well.

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Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake

Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This dreamy cheesecake is a gorgeous blend of tart and sweet flavors.

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Lemon-Coconut Cake

Southern Living Lemon Coconut Cake — Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

The South is known for coconut cake, and this tangy twist on the classic is bound to become your new go-to recipe.

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Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Southern Living Lemon Crinkle Cookies on a platter to serve — Molly Bolton

These crinkle lemon cookies look just as bright and sunny as they taste. Plus, lemon cake mix makes these cookies extra easy to make.

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