From airy sweet-tart mousse to trifles layered with lemon pudding and berries, these no-bake lemon desserts are bright, tangy, sweet and refreshing.
1/19
Lemon Icebox Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy smooth consistency. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
2/19
Lemon Mousse
From the Recipe Creator:
This classic, simple lemon mousse recipe is the refreshing dessert you need. Serve it with fresh fruit or eat it alone. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
3/19
Lemon Strawberry Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
4/19
Lemon Ice
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious sweet-tart lemon ice is a perfectly refreshing way to end a summer meal—or any meal, for that matter. —Concetta Maranto Skenfield, Bakersfield, California
5/19
Lemon Tiramisu
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe to please everyone in my family. It's a cross between cheesecake and tiramisu, with a refreshing lemony flavor. Garnish it with fresh berries if you have them on hand. —Monica Marolt, Willowick, Ohio
6/19
Lemon Blueberry Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
7/19
Limoncello Cream Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
8/19
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
9/19
Lemon Sherbet
From the Recipe Creator:
Lemon juice provides the snappy flavor in this wonderful lemon sherbet recipe. The light, make-ahead treat looks splendid served in individual boats made from lemon halves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/19
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
11/19
Lemon Icebox Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
As refreshing as it is easy to make, this lemon icebox cake will become a family favorite. Using grated lemon zest in addition to lemon pudding mix gives it a bright lemon flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
12/19
Lemon Bark
From the Recipe Creator:
I wasn't a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It's tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah
13/19
Easy Strawberry Lemonade Freezer Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Three simple ingredients mixed together and spread into a graham cracker crust make magic while your freezer does all the work. Prep this pie ahead and freeze it overnight or even longer. Feel free to vary the fruit if you'd like! —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
14/19
Lemon Snowball
From the Recipe Creator:
For a special occasion like a church supper, I make this beautiful dessert. The lemon and coconut flavors go so wonderfully together. Everyone will be asking for the recipe. —Lucy Rickers, Bonsall, California
15/19
Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops
From the Recipe Creator:
With just 31 calories, 4 teaspoons of sugar total and lots of vitamin C, this is one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
16/19
Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
This cool and creamy no-bake dessert is perfect for hot summer days. I sometimes replace half the blueberries with raspberries to make it look more patriotic. —Jodie Cederquist, Muskegon, Michigan
17/19
Lemon Cream Delight
From the Recipe Creator:
Indulging in this creamy dessert is like eating cheesecake out of a bowl. Light and luscious, it's a pleasing finish to any meal. —Inge Schermerhorn, Kingston, New Hampshire
18/19
Lemony Coconut Frozen Yogurt
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I crave something cold to beat the heat, I whip this yogurt together and share it with family. Everyone enjoys the sweet relief! —Caitlyn Heinz, Ovid, New York
19/19
Layered Lemon Dessert Squares
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe in an old cookbook and changed it to be extra citrusy. If you’re a fan of Key lime pie, try lime flavors instead of lemon. —Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
No-Bake Lemon Desserts FAQ
Which lemon desserts work best for special occasions?
No-bake lemon desserts, like layered trifles, chilled icebox cakes and creamy tiramisu, are perfect for special occasions because of their fresh flavors and beautiful presentation. To make something as simple as lemon ice or lemon sherbet look more elegant, place servings in scooped-out lemon halves. If you have time to bake, a lemon tart with a buttery shortbread crust is easy to make but looks impressive. Frosted lemon cupcakes are the perfect lemon potluck dessert for a crowd.
What’s the best way to enhance the flavor of lemon desserts?
The best way to enhance the flavor of lemon desserts is to include fresh lemon zest or juice in your recipe. Lemon zest is packed with aromatic oils that add citrusy flavor and a floral edge to batters, frostings and glazes without the pucker. For creamy treats like lemon pudding or icebox pie, rub grated lemon zest into sugar with your fingertips before using to pull out all the flavor of the zest and evenly disperse it into your dessert. And don’t forget to add a pinch of salt to your recipes—even a small bit will balance the dish and sharpen the citrus flavor.
Can I make no-bake lemon desserts ahead of time?
Yes, no-bake lemon desserts like icebox cakes, mousse and no-bake lemon cheesecake are perfect for making ahead since they need to chill and set for at least eight hours in the refrigerator. This helps the texture become firm enough to slice cleanly. It also gives the flavors time to bloom and deepen. If you’re making homemade lemon curd to use in other no-bake treats, store it in jars for several days in the refrigerator. Then you can just assemble and serve when it’s time to eat.
