Lemon desserts bring that balance of tart and sweet that cuts through rich flavors and brightens up any spread. This group includes cookies, cupcakes, bars, pies, and cakes—all with a strong lemon twist. Some bring in berries, others layer on extra glaze or cream. Whether you like soft, gooey, fluffy, or crisp, these desserts bring the zing.

Easy Lemon Bars with Brown Sugar Shortbread Crust

A stack of bright lemon bars with powdered sugar on top, showcasing distinct yellow lemon and light brown crust layers—a sweet treat for fans of lemon desserts.
Easy Lemon Bars with Brown Sugar Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A soft lemon layer sits on a buttery crust made with brown sugar for extra depth. The topping sets just enough to cut clean. Sweet, tangy, and crumbly in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Brown Sugar Shortbread Crust

Easy Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze

Easy Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Moist pound cake gets drenched in a sharp glaze that sinks into every slice. Strong lemon flavor from start to finish. Serve with berries or on its own.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze

Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake

A bundt cake with pink glaze, inspired by bright lemon recipes, is topped with fresh blackberries and displayed on a white plate.
Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Blackberries swirl into lemon pound cake, giving it pops of sweet and tart fruit. The crumb stays tight but soft. Finish with a drizzle of glaze.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blackberry Pound Cake

Lemon Cream

Lemon Cream. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Soft, rich, and spoonable, this lemon cream works in tart shells, between cake layers, or just eaten chilled. Silky and bright. No baking required.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cream

Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar

A plate of bright lemon crinkle cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, is stacked on a blue-bordered ceramic dish—perfect for lovers of sweet lemon desserts.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies bake up soft inside with crisp, sugary edges. Brown sugar adds a warm note under the citrus. They crinkle up as they bake for a classic look.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Brown Sugar

Old Fashioned Lemon Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk

A cheesecake topped with bright lemon slices, strawberries, blueberries, mint leaves, and edible flowers on a white plate, surrounded by fruit and flowers—a vibrant treat for fans of Lemon desserts.
Old Fashioned Lemon Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Creamy, tart lemon filling baked in a pie crust and served chilled. Sweetened condensed milk keeps it smooth and rich. A simple slice with strong flavor.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Lemon Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk

Strawberry Bars with Lemon Glaze

Strawberry Bars with Lemon Glaze. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Strawberries bake into a soft bar, then get topped with a sharp lemon glaze. Sweet, fruity, and just tart enough. Cut into squares and serve.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Bars with Lemon Glaze

Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

A strawberry cupcake with pink frosting and a halved strawberry on top sits on a wrapper with a bite taken out; fresh strawberries are in the background, making it perfect to pair with other sweet lemon treats.
Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Lemon cupcakes get filled or topped with strawberry for a fruit-filled twist. Fluffy and fresh. Ice or glaze to finish.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes

Lemon Blueberry Cookies

Lemon Blueberry Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Soft cookies with lemon zest and bursts of blueberry inside. Tart and sweet together. Serve with a dusting of sugar or icing.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cookies

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars with powdered sugar on a white plate.
Lemon Bars. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

A simple version of the classic: tart, rich lemon filling over a crisp, buttery crust. Dust with powdered sugar. Chill before cutting.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bars

Lemon Blondies

Three lemon bars stacked on a white plate, surrounded by white chocolate chips and lemon slices, with a colorful cloth in the background.
Lemon Blondies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

These bars bake soft with a dense lemony bite and a shiny top. More chew than a bar, less crumb than cake. Serve warm or cool.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blondies

Lemon Cake Pie

A slice of lemon pie with raspberries on top.
Lemon Cake Pie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

The pie bakes with a soft cake-like layer and a set lemon custard underneath. One batter, two textures. No extra steps needed.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cake Pie

Lemon Cake Pops

Lemon cake pops on a white plate.
Lemon Cake Pops. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Cake mixed with lemon frosting and dipped in white chocolate or glaze. Serve on a stick. Bright and fun for groups.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cake Pops

Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

Soft lemon cupcakes filled or topped with cream cheese frosting. Tart and rich in one bite. Great chilled or room temp.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Lemon Meringue Cookies

A wooden board features cookies topped with toasted meringue. A plate in the background holds more cookies. A red and white cloth is partially visible underneath.
Lemon Meringue Cookies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Meringues with a lemon twist—light, crisp, and sweet with citrus flavor. Baked low and slow. Store in a jar for snacking.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Meringue Cookies

Lemon Pie

A slice of lemon pie sits on a plate next to a pie with a slice removed.
Lemon Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The classic: lemon filling in a crust, served cold. Could be custard-style or more firm. Top with cream or serve plain.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pie

Lemon Poke Cake

A slice of lemon cake on a white plate.
Lemon Poke Cake. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

White or yellow cake poked and filled with lemon pudding or glaze. Moist and loaded with flavor. Finish with whipped topping or frosting.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poke Cake

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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