When life gives you lemons, make … mini lemon cheesecakes! Everyone’s favorite summer beverage might take a back seat after tasting any of these ah-mazing citrus desserts. The perfect mix of zesty and sweet, these lemony treats will take center stage at your next backyard BBQ, picnic or corner lemonade stand! Read on for 12 palate-pleasing ideas.
Photo: courtesy A Night Owl
Mini Oreo Cheesecake
Raid your grocery store shelves for lemon-flavored Oreos and make these adorable mini Oreo cheesecakes. Kimberly, author of the popular blog, A Night Owl, decided to add homemade cheesecake to the middle and create a citrus treat that will make dessert lovers everywhere pucker up!
Photo: courtesy Craving Chronicles
Lemon Blackberry Cream Puffs with Dairy Free Cream
This recipe has three steps but it’s so worth it! Think cream filled doughnut meets flaky, pastry puff! The pastry cream is dairy free so it’s the perfect treat for anyone with an dairy allergy. The puffs themselves can be made ahead of time and the fresh blackberries are the perfect balance to the tart lemons. Visit Craving Chronicles for all the delectable steps.
Photo: courtesy Give Me Some Oven
Creamy Lemon Popsicle
Summer’s favorite frozen treat gets a citrus spin with these creamy lemon Popsicles. Whether you have a handy dandy Popsicle mold at home or want to go retro and use a Dixie cup and a stick, this treat is easy to make and will have kids lining up for seconds! Pop over to Give Me Some Oven for the simple and refreshing recipe.
Photo: courtesy The Novice Chef
Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts
Baker’s dozen, please! The lemon glazed poppy seed donuts from The Novice Chef had us at “good morning”. But beware! These treats are so tasty that you won’t want to limit these to just breakfast. Get the full recipe at The Novice Chef.
Photo: courtesy Lovely Little Kitchen
Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Summer is filled with sleepovers and lazy weekend mornings with family, which means you’ll have plenty of reasons to whip up your own Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. It’s made with Greek yogurt and packs a protein punch, and is deliciously perfect to serve to all your friends and family—it’s healthy, right?! Visit Lovely Little Kitchen for the recipe and get ready to slice into a piece of lemon heaven.
Photo: courtesy Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
Lemon Meringue Jar Cakes
Raise a glass jar to a creamy, decadent treat! These lemon meringue cakes are convenient enough to take on the road and special enough to serve at home. Have kiddos get in on the fun by wrapping the jar with ribbon or twine. Get the full scoop on how to make these sweet cakes at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.
Photo: courtesy A Night Owl
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Calling all busy mamas! Get ready to wow family and friends with this easy-to-make dessert calling for a few secret ingredients. Here’s a hint. Cake mix plus pink lemon KoolAid equals simple and delicious cupcakes! Follow these easy steps from A Night Owl for a whole new take on pink lemonade. You’ll be ditching the straw and licking up frosting in no time!
Photo: courtesy How Sweet It Is
Easy Lemon Cake with Marshmallow Frosting + Toasted Coconut
For a tart and creamy combination (that just so happens to have marshmallow frosting!), look no further than a lemon cake by How Sweet It Is. The marshmallow frosting makes it a clear winner with kids, and will have everyone screaming for s’more.
Photo: courtesy Overtime Cook
No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Cups
The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is turn on the oven. Luckily, you won’t have to with these no-bake lemon cheesecake mousse cups. They’re easy to make and assemble and look just as delicious as they taste. For the #1 reason to boycott your oven this summer visit Overtime Cook.
Photo: courtesy OMG Chocolate Desserts
White Chocolate Lemon Truffles
If your little ones aren’t as crazy for citrus as you are, have them try a white chocolate, lemon truffle. They may change their tune. With just a few ingredients, they’re super simple to make—15 minutes of prep time and you’re done. Just make sure you factor in that the mix has to get cold and harden in the fridge for a few hours.The result is pure magic! For all the delicious details, and other ideas visit OMG Chocolate Desserts.
Photo: courtesy Rachel Cooks
Meyer Lemon Parfaits
These miniature desserts are like sunshine in a cup (or in tiny shot glass, you choose!) You can’t go wrong when you start with Meyer lemons and giant ladyfinger cookies. From citrus tree to dessert glass, these seasonally delicious treats are a must-try this summer. Visit Rachel Cooks for the full tutorial on these adorable goodies.
Photo: courtesy Inquiring Chef
Sugar Cookie Lemon Tarts
Want the delicious tart without the finicky crusts? Try a batch of sugar cookie lemon tarts. The crusts call for a simple cookie dough and they’re filled with a perfectly sweet and sour lemon filling. Watch out, these zesty sweets may just become one of your very favorite things about summer. Get the details at Inquiring Chef.
Which lemon treat will your littles love? Share with us in a Comment below.
— Aimee Della Bitta
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