Minimalist Baker

Vibrant Citrus Desserts to Brighten Cloudy Days

VGVDF
Image of vibrant citrus desserts

Cloudy winter days call for sweet, bright treats! We’ve gathered vibrant, 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
GFVGVDF
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!
Make The Recipe
Showing the fluffy texture of our vegan lemon cake
GFVGVDF
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!
Make The Recipe
Slice of no-bake vegan coconut yogurt cheesecake topped with raspberries and orange peel
GFVGVDFNS
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.
Make The Recipe
Blue bowl filled with a batch of our vegan Lemon Donut Holes
GFVGVDFNS
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!
Make The Recipe
Stack of three vegan gluten-free lemon bars
GFVGVDF
The BEST Vegan Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
Vegan, gluten-free lemon bars that taste just like the real thing: super lemony with a buttery shortbread crust! Just 8 ingredients required for this show-stopping dessert!
Make The Recipe
Batch of Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars topped with lemon slices and powdered sugar
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars
Creamy, naturally sweetened vegan lemon bars made with 10 simple ingredients and a delicious gluten-free crust.
Make The Recipe
Cutting board filled with Mini Cheesecakes for our Easy Plant-Based Mother's Day Recipes roundup
GFVGVDFNS
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.
Make The Recipe
Cutting board with Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins topped with icing
GFVGVDF
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.
Make The Recipe
Blueberry Pie Bars on parchment paper and in a pan
VGVDFNS
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.
Make The Recipe
Jars of Vegan Lemon Curd topped with lemon zest and fresh raspberries
GFVGVDFNS
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!
Make The Recipe
No-Bake Lemon Cookie Fruit Tarts in parchment-lined mini tart tins
GFVGVDFNS
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!
Make The Recipe

Orange Desserts

Orange cardamom energy bites with some coated in a coconut orange zest topping
GFVGVDFNS
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!
Make The Recipe
Parchment paper filled with Orange Almond Vegan Biscotti dipped in dark chocolate
VGVDF
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!
Make The Recipe
Close up shot of two cranberry orange muffins on a plate
GFVGVDFNS
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!
Make The Recipe
Close up photo of a stack of vegan gluten-free cranberry orange scones
GFVGVDF
1-Bowl Cranberry Orange Scones (Vegan + GF)
Easy, 1-bowl cranberry orange scones that are undetectably vegan + gluten-free! Fluffy, citrusy, lightly sweetened, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Sliced orange and cinnamon sticks next to a bowl and baking dish of orange cranberry crisp
GFVGVDFNS
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.
Make The Recipe

Lime Desserts

Overhead shot of a vegan gluten-free key lime pie topped with dairy-free whipped cream
GFVGVDF
Classic Vegan Key Lime Pie
Undetectably vegan and optionally gluten-free key lime pie with a graham cracker crust. CLASSIC, tart, refreshing, decadent, and made with just 9 ingredients!
Make The Recipe
Creamy Vegan Lime Pie Bars on a hot pink background
GFVGVDFNS
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.
Make The Recipe
Half eaten Mini Vegan Key Lime Pie on a cutting board
GFVGVDFNS
7-Ingredient Vegan Key Lime Pies
7-ingredient key lime pie bites with a simple graham cracker crust! Perfectly tart, creamy, and so satisfying.
Make The Recipe

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!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

Have a question? Use ctrl+f or ⌘+f on your computer or the "find on page" function on your phone browser to search existing comments! Need help? Check out this tutorial!

  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.

    Reply