Vibrant Citrus Desserts to Brighten Cloudy Days

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Image of vibrant citrus desserts

Cloudy winter days call for sweet, bright treats! We’ve gathered our best citrus-packed desserts to help you cook and bake your way through the gloomiest months of the year. Scroll through to find your new favorite citrus treats!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Lemon Desserts

Lemon zest falling onto a stack of gluten-free vegan lemon cookies
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Easy Lemon Cookies (Vegan + GF)
Bite-sized lemon cookies that are sweet, tender, and oh-so delicious! The perfect gluten-free and vegan treat for spring. Just 8 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 30 minutes required!
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Showing the fluffy texture of our vegan lemon cake
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Lemon Loaf Cake (Vegan/GF)
Fluffy, tender lemon cake made in 1 bowl! Vegan and gluten-free and topped with a stunning 3-ingredient glaze. Perfect for spring and beyond!
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Slice of no-bake vegan coconut yogurt cheesecake topped with raspberries and orange peel
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Vegan No-Bake Coconut Yogurt Cheesecake
Creamy, decadent vegan cheesecake made with a date-walnut crust and cashew-coconut-yogurt filling for the ultimate tangy-sweet treat. Just 10 ingredients required, no-bake, and entirely vegan and gluten-free.
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Blue bowl filled with a batch of our vegan Lemon Donut Holes
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No-Bake Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Donut Holes
Tender no-bake donut holes infused with lemon juice and zest and speckled with poppy seeds! A 30-minute naturally sweetened, easy-to-make snack or dessert!
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Batch of Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars topped with lemon slices and powdered sugar
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Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars
Creamy, naturally sweetened vegan lemon bars made with 10 simple ingredients and a delicious gluten-free crust.
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Cutting board filled with Mini Cheesecakes for our Easy Plant-Based Mother's Day Recipes roundup
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White Chocolate Lemon Cheesecake (Vegan + GF)
Amazing 10-ingredient White Chocolate Lemon Cheesecake made entirely in the food processor or blender! So rich, decadent, and satisfying you’d never guess it was vegan and gluten-free.
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Cutting board with Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins topped with icing
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Vegan Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
1-bowl, 30-minute vegan Meyer lemon poppy seed muffins with a 2-ingredient lemon glaze. So moist, wholesome, perfectly tart-sweet, and delicious.
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Blueberry Pie Bars on parchment paper and in a pan
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Almond Lemon Blueberry Pie Bars
Simple, 10-ingredient Blueberry Pie Bars with a cookie crust, slivered-almond coating, and 2-ingredient glaze! The perfect easy summertime dessert.
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Jars of Vegan Lemon Curd topped with lemon zest and fresh raspberries
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Vegan Lemon Curd
EASY vegan lemon curd with just 5 ingredients and 1 pot required! Creamy, perfectly tart, naturally sweetened! Enjoy straight from the jar, or add to waffles, pancakes, and baked goods!
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No-Bake Lemon Cookie Fruit Tarts in parchment-lined mini tart tins
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No-Bake Lemon Cookie Fruit Tarts
Simple no-bake vegan tarts with a date-walnut crust and a creamy, dairy-free filling that tastes just like a lemon cookie!
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Orange Desserts

Orange cardamom energy bites with some coated in a coconut orange zest topping
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Orange Cardamom Energy Bites (No-Bake!)
Sweet, zesty, decadent energy bites infused with orange zest and cardamom! Perfect for a quick snack or healthier dessert. Just 6 ingredients, 15 minutes, and 1 food processor required!
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Parchment paper filled with Orange Almond Vegan Biscotti dipped in dark chocolate
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Orange Almond Biscotti (Vegan)
Amazing, simple vegan biscotti infused with orange zest and roasted almonds. Dip in vegan dark chocolate for a decadent touch. A delicious vegan breakfast, dessert, or snack with your favorite hot beverage!
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Close up shot of two cranberry orange muffins on a plate
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Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Muffins (Vegan)
Tender, zesty, sweet, and tart cranberry orange muffins! Vegan, gluten-free, and the ultimate seasonal treat on a holiday morning. Just 1 bowl required!
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Sliced orange and cinnamon sticks next to a bowl and baking dish of orange cranberry crisp
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Orange Cranberry Crisp (Gluten-Free & Easy!)
All of the flavors of cranberry sauce in a saucy, streusel-topped crisp! Cranberries are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and orange juice and topped with rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and coconut sugar. The ultimate holiday breakfast or dessert! Just 10 ingredients required.
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Lime Desserts

Creamy Vegan Lime Pie Bars on a hot pink background
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Creamy Lime Pie Bars
Creamy lime pie bars with an almond-oat crust and creamy, cashew-based filling! Perfectly tart, naturally sweetened, and so delicious! 10 basic ingredients required.
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Half eaten Mini Vegan Key Lime Pie on a cutting board
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7-Ingredient Vegan Key Lime Pies
7-ingredient key lime pie bites with a simple graham cracker crust! Perfectly tart, creamy, and so satisfying.
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If you try any of these citrus desserts, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

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  1. Henry says

    I wish you would put in a nut free label. Nut allergies are at least twice as prevalent as celiac disease, so it would be helpful to know which recipes are safe without having to read through them.