What Goes Well with Lemon in Desserts? 9 BEST Options

There is nothing quite like the combination of sweet and tart that lemon brings to desserts.

From cakes to tarts and pies, lemon can provide a burst of flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

But what are the best ingredients out there for pairing with this citrusy delight?

In this article, we look at nine of the best options to give your dessert an extra special kick.

All of them will tantalize your taste buds, but which one will be the perfect companion to your next lemon-flavored treat? Read on to find out.

What Goes Well with Lemon in Desserts? 9 BEST Options

Lemon is a popular choice for baking for its sweet-tart flavor that is equally at home in savory or sweet dishes.

Whether you’re making a lemon tart, lemon cheesecake, or something else, including this zesty citrus in your baking can enhance the flavor of your dessert and give it a special extra kick.

To make sure your recipes are zingy and delicious, here are 9 of the best ingredients to accompany lemon in desserts:

1 – Chocolate

Lemon and chocolate are a classic flavor combination that can be found in a variety of desserts.

From cookies to cakes to creamy desserts, the combination of lemon and chocolate is always sure to please.

Lemon adds a citrusy, zesty pop to balance out the richness of the chocolate, and depending on the dessert recipe you’re making, you can use either white or dark chocolate varieties.

Here are some examples of delicious desserts you can make with this flavor combination.

Chocolate tart topped with white or dark chocolate shavings or ganache, Oreo truffles with lemon-infused cream cheese frosting, white or dark chocolate mousse cake with a lemon curd filling.

All of these recipes will satisfy sweet tooths while still offering a big punch of flavor.

2 – White Chocolate

White chocolate brings creamy sweetness and a mellow flavor to any dessert.

It pairs well with lemon, adding richness and floral notes.

For those who prefer less sweet desserts, white chocolate is an ideal choice for cutting the tartness of lemon.

Some classic ways to enjoy this combination include white chocolate nothing cake, white chocolate and lemon truffles and white chocolate lemon tarts.

White chocolate may also be added to frosting or glazes for additional sweetness that melds perfectly with zesty citrus tones.

3 – Vanilla

Vanilla and lemon are complementary flavors that make a sublime dessert when paired together.

Vanilla’s subtle sweetness and velvety texture blend perfectly with the tart freshness of the lemon to create a dish that is both tasty and pleasing to the eye.

Whether used as an ingredient in a cake, mousse, ice cream or cupcake frosting, the combination of these two flavors is sure to be a hit.

Try combining them in one of the following desserts:

• Vanilla Lemon Cake: This classic dessert pairs vanilla cake with a lemon curd filling and tangy cream cheese frosting. The result is an irresistible combination of tartness, sweetness and moist sponge cake layers.
• Lemon Mini Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: Perfectly packable, these mini cakes can be taken anywhere. They’re made using tangy fresh squeezed lemon juice topped with a light vanilla buttercream frosting.

4 – Raspberries

Raspberries are a great way to add flavor, color, and texture to many different types of desserts.

Because they’re not overly sweet, they pair well with lemon in a vast array of dishes from cakes, tarts and pies to custards, mousses and smoothies.

In addition to providing subtle tartness, raspberries also bring vibrant red or purple hues to lightening up a dessert that packs an extra punch for taste buds.

With the help of lemon juice or zest and the sweetness of those ripe little berries, it’s easy to create a showstopping dish that can be enjoyed throughout any season.

Try some of these inventive dishes:

• Lemon Raspberry Mousse Cake: Bake a yellow sponge cake in two round pans and sandwich them together with layers of zesty lemon curd and sweet raspberry mousse. Top it off with some crunchy crushed cookies for added texture.
• Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake: To make this cheesecake elevated in flavor but still velvety smooth, use equal parts cream cheese (for tanginess), heavy whipping cream (for fluffiness)and melted white chocolate (for richness) before stirring through chopped raspberries at the end of cooking.
• Lemon Raspberry Streusel Tart: Top off tart pastry dough spread with irresistibly sweet-tart raspberry jam mixed with fresh squeezed lemon juice for extra freshness by topping it off with streusel made from butter, sugar and flour for added crunchy sweetness.

5 – Strawberries

Strawberries are an excellent way to inject a bit of tart and sweet into your dish.

The combination of juicy, succulent strawberries and the tartness of lemon is a classic one, and can be utilized in many recipes.

You might consider making a strawberry-lemonade cake, where you can use both fresh and candied lemons, or perhaps try a lemon meringue pie with whole strawberries as additional garnish.

For something more traditional but still just as delicious, you could go for shortcakes decorated with grated lemon zest and halved strawberries.

Although these are all great ideas for desserts incorporating lemons and strawberries together, the possibilities really are endless — you might even make some tasty strawberry lemonade sorbet or popsicles.

6 – Blueberries

Blueberries are a juicy and sweet superfruit that make a perfect pairing with zesty and tart lemons in dessert.

Not only do they pair well together, but they’re healthy as well.

Whether you’re adding in fresh or frozen blueberries to your lemon-inspired dessert, the combination will fill your plate with color, taste and a boost of antioxidants.

You can use blueberries in sweet treats like lemon muffins, pies and tarts.

Add them to pancakes for a touch of natural sweetness or make a delicious blueberry-lemon sauce for vegan ice cream.

7 – Orange

Orange is a natural pairing with lemon, as the two citrus fruits have their origins in the same family.

A common combination of flavors with desserts is lemon and orange.

From cupcakes to sparkling drinks, this classic flavor combo never fails to please.

For a quick and easy option, add orange zest to your favorite lemon dessert recipes.

This will add a brightness that is sure to make any dessert even tastier.

Alternatively, you can use both lemon and orange juice in your cake batter or mousse mix for a distinct taste.

For something that’s on the more indulgent side of the spectrum, try adding pieces of candied oranges to your ice cream or cake.

8 – Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the best ways to bring out the sweet, zesty flavor of lemon in desserts.

This spice has a flavorful, warm aroma and can be used to create an array of delicious treats.

To add a touch of cinnamon to your sweet creations, you can sprinkle it into cookies or cakes, add it to custards or puddings, use it to top fruity pies or tarts, or fold some into chewy doughnuts.

You can also mix cinnamon into frosting for cupcakes or swirl layers of whipped cream with a hint of cinnamon in trifles and icebox pies.

9 – Honey

One of the best ways to complement the tart flavor of lemon in dessert is with a touch of sweetness.

Honey is an excellent natural sweetener that adds sweetness without being overpowering.

Its flavor can vary greatly depending on where it was harvested, making it a perfect way to customize your dessert and bring out the unique nuances of each type.

Honey pairs well with just about anything lemon — from cakes and cookies to meringues and creme brulee.

It also blends nicely into sauces and glazes for cakes, pies, or tarts, or can add creaminess to puddings or custards.

You can try drizzling honey over slices of fresh fruit for a simple yet delicious dessert.

Conclusion

Lemon makes a wonderful addition to a variety of desserts.

From pound cake and shortbread cookies to mousses, tarts, and ice cream sandwiches, there are plenty of delicious recipes where the bright citrus flavor is sure to be a hit.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet and tart or an indulgent treat that won’t overpower your palate, you can find the right dessert recipe with lemon.

No matter what type of dessert you’re looking for, it’s easy to create something that pairs perfectly with lemon.

From creamy fillings and unexpected pairings to interesting toppings or unexpected twists like glazes and sauces, there are plenty of ways to make lemon desserts that are truly unique and unforgettable.