16 Sweet-Tart Lemon Desserts for Easter

By Food & Wine
April 16, 2019
Bright, tangy lemon is as much a spring treat as it is a summer refreshment. Lemon juice and zest give the ideal edge to sweet pies, the perfect topping to cakes and create an delicious filling for cookie sandwiches. From lemon meringue pie to tasty lemon tarts, here are 16 amazing lemon desserts fit for celebrating Easter.
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Orange and Lemon Tart

The filling for this simple citrus tart is reminiscent of a very fresh, not-too-sweet, chunky marmalade.

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2 of 17

Lemon Ripple Cheesecake Bars

PHOTO © ANNA WILLIAMS

These creamy dessert bars are great for a crowd.

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3 of 17

Lemon Puddings with Candied Lemon Zest

PHOTO © CON POULOS

Lemons, sugar, heavy cream and a pinch of salt are all you need for this incredible citrusy dessert.

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Lemon Meringue Pie

© David Malosh

A homemade version of creamy sweetened condensed milk gives the tart lemon custard in this pie an especially luscious texture and flavor. The billowy Italian meringue topping browns beautifully under the broiler if you don't have a torch on hand.

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Lemon Shortbread Cookies

PHOTO © EMILY FARRIS

What's the secret to making the best shortbread cookies? Lots of cold butter.

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Lemon Loaf Cakes with 
Poached Rhubarb


© John Kernick

Umber Ahmad and Selly Acuna Barbera of New York City’s Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery serve these moist, lemony cakes with juicy, sweet poached rhubarb in syrup. It’s the quintessential spring dessert, but you can omit the rhubarb and simply serve the cake on its own or with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

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French Lemon Tart

PHOTO © TARA FISHER

This elegant dessert is nearly foolproof.

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8 of 17

Poppy Seed Crêpes with Tangy Lemon Curd and Ricotta

© Sarah Bolla

Tangy lemon curd is spooned over these warm ricotta filled and poppy seed studded crêpes. They are light, colorful, and perfect for an Easter brunch and buffet.

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Venetian Lemon Shake

© JAMES BAIGRIE

Spike your dessert with Champagne or Prosecco for an ideal brunch cocktail.

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Blueberry, Lemon and Coconut Cake

© Emma Galloway

This simple butter cake can be topped with any kind of in-season fruit you may have on hand. This summer version is bursting with fresh blueberries, lemon and coconut.

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Lemon Buckwheat Shortbread

Victor Protasio

Lemon filling highlights the nuttiness of buckwheat flour in these shortbread cookie sandwiches from Nina Compton. Substituting store-bought buckwheat flour will yield a less nutty cookie. Be sure to store either flour in the freezer.

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12 of 17

Lazy Mary's Lemon Tart

PHOTO © FREDRIKA STJÄRNE

This ingenious make-ahead dessert has an entire Meyer lemon puréed into the filling.

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Strawberry and Lemon Tarts with Pistachios

PHOTO © SARAH BOLLA

Star blogger Sarah Bolla makes an agave nectar-sweetened lemon cream with silken tofu for these terrific, dairy-free tarts.

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Gluten-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake

© Phoebe Lapine

This classic British loaf cake is incredibly moist because it's made with olive oil instead of butter, which also gives the batter a rich golden color. The addition of poppy seeds makes it a perfect alternative to your morning muffin, while the lemon drizzle dresses up the cake for company.

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Lemon Curd Macarons

PHOTO © ERIN KUNKEL

Pink peppercorns aren't just pretty, they're great counterpoints to the tangy lemon filling in these cookies.

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Frozen Lemon Cream Sandwiches

English lemon curd from a jar plus high-quality store-bought Belgian butter cookies help turn these ice cream sandwiches into an impressive dessert that can be made well ahead.

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