Minimalist Baker

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 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
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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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Stack of three vegan gluten-free lemon bars
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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!
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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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Close up photo of a stack of vegan gluten-free cranberry orange scones
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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!
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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

Overhead shot of a vegan gluten-free key lime pie topped with dairy-free whipped cream
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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!
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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. Patricia Barron says

    Not actually a question but a “HUGE” thank you, blessings!!! I have been a ‘silent’ follower of yours since “way back,” near the beginning. Your recipes have “always been” simple, minimal, ‘healthy.’ But the continued evolution of the recipes so as to keep them fresh, new & of staying true to ‘fan favorites’ but minimal & easy to make. Quite excited that you have covered, expanded the “health benefits” of certain foods & created fantastic foods for people with health issues, concerns like me. God bless you & I await the years to come for other new & exciting things to come.

    I would greatly love to see you take on more old European & other countries favorites or well known foods. I am a great fan of Mexican foods, Indian cuisine, miss moms German specials & her unique Roast Duck stuffed with chunks of apples & oranges or Leg of Lamb (garlic slivers in cuts in meat & served with Mint jelly) for the holidays.

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    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Thank you so much for the kind words and support over the years, Patricia! It means a lot to us. We will definitely look into adding recipes like that into our rotation. They sound lovely. Thank you again!

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    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Esther, have you tried our dessert recipes specifically? If not, we think you may be surprised how flavorful they are! We strive to create recipes that will be a hit with all eaters and often hear feedback that the recipes were enjoyed even by those without dietary restrictions. We have an audience with many vegans, individuals with food sensitivities (dairy, eggs), etc.

      Reply

  3. 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.

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