{"id":1768017,"date":"2022-05-26T14:06:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T19:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1768017"},"modified":"2024-03-22T10:24:48","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:24:48","slug":"i-made-ina-gartens-lemon-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/i-made-ina-gartens-lemon-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"I Made Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars and They’re Like Sunshine in a Square"},"content":{"rendered":"[dam-video dam-id=\"47784\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to sweets, especially dessert bars<\/a>, I'm partial to chocolate. I've been known to make the claim that brownies (yes, even boxed ones<\/a>) are the most reliably delicious dessert around. But as with every rule, there is an exception. And my exception is lemon bars.\r\n\r\nThe delightfully puckery squares are a refreshing finale to many a meal, one that doesn't make you feel bogged down but still manages to scratch the itch for a post-dinner indulgence. They're buttery, they're tart, they're sweet, they're pretty. They're everything I want in a treat. Despite this, I've only made them once\u2014and without much success.\r\n\r\nI thought I'd give the classic another try, and what better recipe to start with than the lemon bars from Ina Garten<\/a> herself? Ina Garten is an institution. (Psst!<\/em> You must try her 19 favorite foods<\/a> to cook and eat.) And though I'm privy to her affinity for giant cocktails and her legendary love story with husband Jeffrey, I've never actually made one of her recipes.\r\n\r\nThis truly was a day of baking firsts (and seconds) for me, and I'm so excited to share the results!\r\nHow to Make Ina Garten's Lemon Bars<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nIna Garten's lemon bars, with their buttery shortbread-like crust and gooey lemon filling, are about as traditional as they come\u2014and trust me when I say that's a good thing. This recipe yields 20 rectangles or 40 triangles.\r\nIngredients<\/h3>\r\nCrust:<\/h4>\r\n\r\n \t1\/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature<\/li>\r\n \t1\/2 cup sugar<\/li>\r\n \t2 cups all-purpose flour<\/li>\r\n \t1\/8 teaspoon kosher salt<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFilling:<\/h4>\r\n\r\n \t6 extra-large eggs, room temperature<\/li>\r\n \t3 cups sugar<\/li>\r\n \t2 tablespoons lemon zest<\/li>\r\n \t1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice<\/li>\r\n \t1 cup all-purpose flour<\/li>\r\n \tConfectioners' sugar<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nTools You'll Need<\/h3>\r\n[embed_section]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1755729\" title=\"Microplane\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Microplane-40020-Classic-Zester-Grater\/dp\/B00004S7V8\/\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1774914\" title=\"Hand Juicer\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Lemon-Squeezer-Stainless-Premium-Quality\/dp\/B07JBKXN5B\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1774916\" title=\"Nonstick Metal Baking Pan\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Taste-Home-Non-Stick-Metal-Baking\/dp\/B07V1JQCL6\/\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1774924\" title=\"6-Speed Hand Mixer\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sunbeam-002524-000-NPO-White-Mixmaster-Mixer\/dp\/B000QIPWU4\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1774926\" title=\"Fine-Mesh Strainer\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/SUNWUKIN-Stainless-Strainers-Colander-Skimmer-Vegetable\/dp\/B08QSHJ4L2\/\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1738205\" title=\"Whisk\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/OXO-Grips-11-Inch-Better-Balloon\/dp\/B00004OCNS\/\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[\/embed_section]\r\n\r\n \r\nDirections<\/h3>\r\nStep 1: Combine crust ingredients<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter preheating the oven to 350\u00b0F, cream the butter and sugar<\/a> until light. (I mixed the ingredients together for about 3 minutes.) Although Ina recommends a stand mixer<\/a> with a paddle attachment, I used my trusty hand mixer, and it did the trick.\r\n\r\nNext, combine the flour (I weighed mine<\/a>) and salt, then add to the creamed butter, just until mixed. I opted to add the dry ingredients incrementally to ensure even mixing (and to prevent a floury explosion).\r\nStep 2: Shape dough and press it into pan<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\nTurn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. (I was super pleased with how readily my dough held together!) With floured hands, press the dough into an ungreased 13x9-in. pan, creating a 1\/2-in. edge on all sides. Chill dough. (I left the prepared pan in the fridge to chill for about 90 minutes before baking.)\r\n\r\nEditor's Note:\u00a0<\/em>It took a bit of coaxing to get the dough to fully cover the bottom of my 13x9 pan, and I don\u2019t think my edges were quite a 1\/2 in. high, but in the end, it didn't matter much. So don't stress if you can't get your crust to look exactly as instructed.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n(Prefer the crust to the custard? Try one of our\u00a0shortbread recipes<\/a>.)\r\nStep 3: Bake the crust<\/h4>\r\nBake crust until lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. (I baked mine for 16 minutes and rotated the pan halfway through.) Let cool on a wire rack.\r\n\r\nCheck out our ultimate guide to baking bars and brownies<\/a>.\r\nStep 4: Make filling and bake bars<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\nWhisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest<\/a> and juice (I needed six lemons to yield the required measurements), and flour. Pour over the baked crust; bake until the filling is set, 30-35 minutes. (I baked the bars for 33 minutes and rotated the pan halfway through once again.) Let cool to room temperature. (I also ran a knife around the edges of the pan after about 15 minutes.)\r\n\r\nEditor's Tip:\u00a0<\/em>I left the eggs out at room temperature for about four hours, which I figured would be sufficient, but my chilly apartment had other plans. In order to fully bring them to room temperature and fast, I soaked them in a bowl of warm water for three minutes. (Find out why baking with room-temperature eggs is so crucial<\/a>.)\r\nStep 5: Dust with sugar and enjoy<\/h4>\r\nSprinkle bars with confectioners' sugar, if desired, then cut into triangles or rectangles. I chose to cut off the dark-brown edges, too, for a more uniform-looking final product.\r\n\r\nDid you know you can make your own confectioners' sugar<\/a> from granulated sugar?\r\nHere's What We Thought<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nOn Ina's site, Barefoot Contessa<\/a>, this recipe is marked intermediate. But that shouldn't intimidate anyone. If anything, it earned that rating due to the cumbersomeness of making and baking the crust and filling separately. That being said, the techniques, tools and ingredients required to make this recipe are all very straightforward.\r\n\r\nIn terms of appearance, the bars did come out of the oven looking a little pocked. To what this can be attributed, I'm not totally sure. But the holes and blemishes weren't anything that a healthy sprinkling of confectioners' sugar couldn't mask. (See our best\u00a0ideas for fixing cracked or unsightly desserts<\/a>.)\r\n\r\nAside from this largely unimportant cosmetic issue, the bars smelled and tasted delicious. The ratio of custard to crust was just right, and the latter was flaky, buttery goodness. Everyone who sampled the sunny delicacy mentioned that although the sour lemon flavor of the filling was pronounced (in a good way!), it was perfectly offset by the kiss of confectioners' sugar.\r\n\r\nI followed this recipe to a T; my only misstep was not letting the bars set up enough before slicing into them. (Here's how to cut them<\/a> the right away.) But can I really be blamed? Next time, I'll be sure to let them cool for several hours either at room temperature or even in the fridge.\r\nTips for Making Lemon Bars<\/h2>\r\n\r\n \tWe don't recommend bottled lemon juice for this recipe. Instead zest a fresh lemon, then juice it! (Did you know you can juice a lemon without so much as slicing it open<\/a>?)<\/li>\r\n \tBecause lemon bars contain a filling similar to custard, they need to be refrigerated. If you prefer them at room temperature, pull them from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.<\/li>\r\n \tTo cut nice and clean slices, line the pan with parchment paper or foil. Then, allow the baked bars to cool completely before slicing. You might even consider refrigerating them before cutting for the cleanest, neatest results.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore Desserts for Lemon Lovers<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 35<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>World's Best Lemon Pie<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour + chilling and cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Pie dough, egg whites, lemon filling\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Advanced\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWe're positive: This is the world's best lemon meringue pie recipe. With pillowy meringue, smooth lemon filling and perfectly flaky pie crust, this dessert is a showshopper. Before getting started, read our guide to making perfect meringue<\/a> so your pie gets the mile-high topping you see in bakeries.\r\n\r\n\"Mother's pies were always so memorable, with tender, flaky crusts. In summer the order of the day was lemon meringue!\" \u2014Recipe contributor Phyllis Kirsling, Junction City, Wisconsin<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Audrey's Lemon Meringue Bars<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 15 minutes + cooling and chilling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Flour, sugar, butter, lemon, eggs\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nBoth sweet and tart, lemon meringue bars make the perfect dessert for a crowd or picnic spread<\/a>. Make sure to refrigerate the bars for at least four hours before serving so they're nice and compact.\r\n\r\n\"In our backyard resides a prolific lemon tree. We are forever trying to find new ways to incorporate these lovely yellow fruits into our culinary endeavors so that none go to waste. My 13-year-old daughter, Audrey, knows my love of all things sweet. She decided to test her baking skill by combining two of my lemony favorites: lemon bars and lemon meringue pie. After several intense hours in the kitchen (warding off her horde of brothers), these delicious bars were born.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Monica Fearnside, Rancho Palos Verdes, California<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Meringue Angel Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 30 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Egg whites, sugar, cake flour, cream of tartar, lemon curd\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Advanced\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nThis gorgeous, lemony cake is well worth the effort it takes. In a pinch, swap in store-bought angel food cake instead of making it from scratch\r\n\r\n\"I've been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it's the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I'm not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Cake Mix Dessert Pizza<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 55 minutes + chilling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Lemon cake mix, cream cheese, lemon curd, blueberry pie filling\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nDessert pizzas<\/a> are the most fun way to serve after-dinner treats. Stock your pantry with lemon cake mix, lemon curd and a can of blueberry pie filling so you can make this lemon version any time. To make dessert even more decadent, serve this pizza with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.\r\n\r\n\"Light and lemony, this blueberry dessert pizza is nice to serve after dinner, as an accompaniment to a cup of afternoon tea or as a special breakfast pastry. You can use a 13x9-inch pan instead of a pizza pan\u2014just pat the crust over the bottom and 1\/2 inch up the sides of the pan.\" \u2014Recipe contributor JM Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Blueberry Lemon Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 45 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Butter, sugar, lemon, blueberries, yellow cake mix\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nLemon and blueberry make one of the greatest flavor pairings, and this quick dessert proves why. Boxed yellow cake mix becomes transcendent with a healthy dose of lemon zest and blueberries, fresh or frozen.\r\n\r\n\"I always set aside some of my fresh-picked blueberries to make this tender lemon blueberry cake. Using cake mix makes it a quick and easy dessert.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Leona Luecking, West Burlington, Iowa<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Italian Lemon Cookies<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 45 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Butter, sugar, eggs, lemon, flour\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nThere's something about these buttery, lemony cookies that taste like a special occasion. Get festive with the colored sugar topping and tailor to the time of year or holiday.\r\n\r\n\"Christmas wouldn't be the same without my grandmother's cookies. A plate full of these light and zesty cookies is divine!\" \u2014Recipe contributor Elisabeth Miller, Broadview Heights, Ohio<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Raspberry Lemon Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 35 minutes + chilling and cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Eggs, sugar, lemons, butter, flour, evaporated milk, cream cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Advanced\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nOne of the reasons this magnificent layer cake is so flavorful? It's packed with so many different lemon elements: zest, juice, extract and concentrate. With creamy frosting and layers of raspberry, this dessert is spring perfection.\r\n\r\n\"Want a change from chocolate cake? Try this elegant lemon raspberry cake packed with refreshing citrus flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue ribbon at the Alaska State Fair and it's definitely a winner with me.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Sheet Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Lemon cake mix, eggs, lemon pie filling, cream cheese, butter\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nLight, lemony and pretty to look at, this sheet cake is one of our most reliable pantry desserts. Lemon pie filling and lemon cake mix make absolute magic together. Make sure the cake is completely cool before spreading with frosting so no crumb clumps appear. Elevate the topping with candied citrus<\/a> or sprinkles.\r\n\r\n\"Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to a convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives it sweetness. My family likes this lemon sheet cake cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze it before serving.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Olive Oil Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 45 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Eggs, sugar, olive oil, milk, lemon, flour\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nIf you've been making butter-based cakes your whole life, give olive oil a whirl. It keeps the cake supremely tender, while adding a slight herbaceous flavor. Choose a quality olive oil<\/a> for this recipe\u2014the better the quality, the tastier the cake.\r\n\r\n\"Olive oil cakes are tender and moist, and stay that way longer than butter-based cakes, so they are wonderful if you need to make dessert ahead of time. Serve this recipe with fresh berries when your favorites are in season.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Nicole Gackowski, Antioch, California<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Icebox Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 15 minutes + 8 hours in fridge\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Whipped topping, instant pudding mix, lemon, graham crackers\r\nLevel<\/strong>: BeginnerGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nChilled, layered icebox cakes<\/a> are a beloved summer confection for a reason. This lemony version with graham crackers and instant pudding mix is a fun no-bake twist on the classic. Show up to any party with this dessert and you'll be the most popular person there.\r\n\r\n\"An icebox cake is a classic confection that comes together with just a few simple ingredients and sets in the refrigerator. Since icebox cakes don't involve baking, they're the perfect sweet summer treat.\" \u2014<\/em>Taste Recipes Test Kitchen <\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe<\/a>Satisfy your coffee shop treat cravings with this copycat Starbucks lemon loaf cake recipe.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes + freezing\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Shortbread cookies, shredded coconut, lemon, cream of coconut, vanilla ice cream, frozen whipped topping\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWe love finding new ways to use up a pint of vanilla ice cream<\/a>, and what's better than ice cream cake? For the buttery, crushed shortbread streusel on top, swap in lemon cookies for even more zing.\r\n\r\n\"I developed this cool treat because I wanted to find a new use for cream of coconut. The sweet coconut combines beautifully with the tart lemon juice, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. Look for cream of coconut in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Dream Cheesecake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 25 minutes + chilling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Graham crackers, butter, sugar, cream cheese, lemon, flour, eggs\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nSummer soirees wouldn't be complete without a lemon cheesecake set in a buttery graham cracker crust. Here's everything you need to know<\/a> about making the perfect cheesecake at home.\r\n\r\n\"Light and creamy, this lemon cheesecake recipe is just the thing for a spring or summer day.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Cheesecake Squares<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Sugar, flour, oats, raspberry jam, flour, lemon, eggs\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nIf you like a bit of nuttiness in your desserts, add 1\/2 cup of ground, toasted pecans or hazelnuts to the crust of this pretty picnic dessert. To turn this recipe into an orange dessert<\/a>, use orange zest and juice instead of lemon.\r\n\r\n\"Whether I'm hosting friends or sending a plate to work with my husband, these creamy elegant lemon cheesecake bars are always a hit. It's a wonderful make-ahead dessert that easily serves a large group.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Peggy Reddick, Cumming, Georgia<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Shortbread Lemon Tart<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 45 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Eggs, lemon juice and zest, sugar, butter, flour, ground almonds\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nThis elegant, citrusy tart is sunshine in a dessert. If the surface of your tart cracks a bit while baking, fret not\u2014that's what fresh fruit and whipped toppings are for!\r\n\r\n\"For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added grated orange zest to both the crust and filling to turn the recipe into a lemon tart.\" \u2014<\/em>Taste Recipes Test Kitchen<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Strawberry Lemon Trifle<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Cream cheese, vanilla yogurt, milk, lemon pudding mix, strawberries, angel food cake\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWe love a layered dessert\u2014especially one as visually appealing as this trifle. Fluffy angel food cake<\/a> absorbs all that creamy lemon flavor. Let the trifle refrigerate for at least two hours before serving so all the elements have a chance to meld.\r\n\r\n\"This refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Poppy Seed Cake<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 5 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Lemon cake mix, lemon pudding mix, eggs, poppy seeds, lemon\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Beginner\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWhen boxed lemon cake mix and instant lemon pudding mix come together, magic happens. This perfectly moist cake would make the perfect sweet for afternoon tea<\/a>\u00a0or brunch.\r\n\r\n\"This luscious lemon poppy seed cake recipe uses cake mix and pudding mix for an easy dessert highlighting the classic flavor combination.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Betty Bjarnason, Egbert, ON<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lavender Lemon Bars<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 40 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Butter, flour, almonds, dried lavender, lemon, sugar, eggs\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nFloral lavender and bright lemon make one of the most elegant flavor combinations. If you have lavender growing in your garden, you could swap that in for the dried version\u2014just make sure it hasn't been treated with chemicals. Use up any extra bits from your harvest in our lavender desserts<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\"Hints of lavender and lemon zest in the crust make these treats a favorite.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Judith Hilinski, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Coconut Cupcakes<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 40 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Butter, sugar, eggs, lemon, flour, sour cream shredded coconut, cream cheese\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWe love decorating these fluffy, moist cupcakes with candied citrus, but regular lemon slices do the job too! Use yellow paper baking cups to go all in on the sunshiny vibes.\r\n\r\n\"Lemon plus coconut equals big smiles in this cupcake equation. These zesty gems are a hit with my family, friends and neighbors.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Debra Henderson, Booneville, Arkansas<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Ginger-Glazed Lemon Bundt<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 1 hour, 20 minutes + cooling\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Cranberries, sugar, butter, eggs, lemon, Greek yogurt, ginger\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Advanced\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nMaking sugared cranberries from scratch couldn't be easier (you can do it in the microwave!), and they make the prettiest topping for this Bundt cake. To make the cranberries really sparkle, mix half sanding sugar with regular sugar when coating them. These decorative Bundt pans<\/a> will turn out a gorgeous cake.\r\n\r\n\"Tangy ginger, tart lemon and puckery cranberries make this melt-in-your-mouth cake as crisp\u2014and gorgeous\u2014as autumn.\" \u2014<\/em>Taste Recipes Test Kitchen<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Tart with Almond Crust<\/a>Total Time<\/strong>: 50 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Flour, almonds, sugar, butter, eggs, lemon\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Intermediate\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nThis elegant, rich lemon tart is\u00a0the<\/em> dessert to make when you want to impress a crowd. You can easily swap in gluten-free flour when making the crisp almond crust. Just use our gluten-free baking guide<\/a> for the best types of flours to swap.\r\n\r\n