Lemonade is not the only citrusy star of long summer days. Tangy desserts are a fantastic, bright ending to outdoor dinner parties. They are also great afternoon treats you may or may not want to share. Some citrusy sweets even work their way onto the breakfast table. What they all call for is a relaxed time with friends (and yes, maybe some lemonade). We’re warning you, you might want to drop everything and start whipping up one of these recipes right this minute.
1. Orange Sable Cookies: Oranges love almonds, and we heart them both. These icebox cookies are a snap to make. Keep a log in the freezer ready for when the sweet craving knocks on your door. (via Martha Stewart)
2. Lemon Yogurt Anything Cake: Add blueberries or poppy seeds or your fave nuts, you name it. This fantastic lemon cake recipe can handle any variation you can think of. (via Smitten Kitchen)
3. Candied Orange Peel: The waiting is the hardest part. You’ll have to stop yourself from munching on these while they dry. Want some extra oomph? Try dipping them in dark chocolate. (via Food52)
4. Lemon Ricotta Almond Cake: Gorgeous on the outside, delicate on the inside — anything packing ricotta gets our attention, but when you add lemon and almonds, well… DROOL. (via Honey and Figs)
5. Baked Grapefruit: It’s so simple yet so rewarding. Cinnamon and honey give a lovely contrast to the bitterness of the grapefruit. (via Food)
6. Mini Key Lime Pies: We bet you can’t have just one of these Key Lime bites. Mini means a shorter cook time, so dessert will be served sooner than expected. (via Cosmo Cookie)
7. Poppy Seed Lemon Cake: The perfect ending to an outdoor summer dinner party with friends, this cake is a beauty. It’s packed with poppyseed, creating a stunning black-and-yellow combo. (via Smitten Kitchen)
8. Honey Orange Cake: Caramelized oranges take this honey cake from everyday to show-stopper. (via Mother Earth Living)
9. Lemon Ricotta White Chocolate Cookies: Don’t say we didn’t warn you, these fluffy cookies will vanish as soon as you whip up the first batch. (via Sugar Plum Blog)
10. Texas Red Grapefruit Cake: Texas size with big flavors to back it up — a hint of mint gives this comforting grapefruit cake a nice balance. (via Food52)
11. Cranberry Orange Donuts: Smack, smack, smack. Yup, that was us licking our fingers. These gorgeous baked donuts are speckled with dried cranberries and bits of orange peel. (via Country Cleaver)
12. Triple Lemon Cupcakes: Lemon lovers everywhere, we’ve got the dessert for you. These little zesty bombs come with a surprise. There’s tangy lemon curd waiting for you inside. (via Crazy for Crust)
13. Mini Grapefruit Soufflés With Ginger: Little soufflés pack a major wow factor. A hint of ginger kicks up the tanginess of the grapefruit. (via Martha Stewart)
14. Lemon Drop Candies: Package sweet-and-sour treats in a pretty glass jar for an awesome gift… if you can part with them, of course. (via Food52)
15. Cucumber Lime Pops: Two of summer’s most refreshing staples in ice-pop form. (via Crunchy Creamy Sweet)
16. Lemon Curd Sandwich Cookies: Does one ever get sick of sandwich cookies? We think not. These are vegan and grain-free, so don’t be shy — grab a couple more, no matter your dietary restrictions. (via Wallflower Girl)
17. Blueberry Lime Muffins: A generous helping of lime gives blueberry muffins a zesty lift. Pair with an iced latte and a good book, and you’ve got yourself one satisfying little treat. (via My Baking Addiction)
18. Orange Sugar Molasses Cookies: A healthier take on traditional molasses cookies is a serious keeper. A crunchy, zesty outside gives way to a sweet fluffy inside… can we get one more? (via My Happy Place)
19. Lemon-Infused Madeleines: What’s not to love about madeleines? They’re sophisticated part-cookie, part-cake little bites that scream tea time (or cafe au lait). (via Kitchen Limited)
20. Key Lime Cupcakes: Dibs on all four! Your next batch will be ready in under 30 minutes. (via Food52)
What citrusy sweet can’t you get enough of? Tell us in the comments below!
Teresa Lagerman
Teresa is the founder of Brooklyn Makers, a blog and online shop that celebrates the talent of local artisans. You can find her at the local markets, sipping a giant latte at a neighborhood coffee shop or out around town with her two little boys. You can quickly win her over with a good croissant.
