Celebrate the Spring Season With These Light and Airy Desserts
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Some things just smell like springtime—like blooming flowers or fresh cut grass. But let's not forget about the wonderful smell of freshly baked lemon shortbread cookies or a strawberry rhubarb dessert. Yes, there's something so exciting about whipping up these fresh spring desserts. Not only are they full of seasonal flavor, but they're also easy to make and perfect for the warmer spring weather. Take Ree Drummond's pink lemonade sheet cake, for example—the crowd-pleasing treat is an adorable pink take on the classic spring drink. There are other lemon dessert recipes and strawberry recipes, too. Plus, some fun twists on carrot cake that are sure to become your new family favorites.
Of course, there are recipes for Mother's Day desserts, Easter treats, and even lemon crinkle cookies that are perfect for taking on a picnic in the park. There are also some ideas for a spring tea party or bridal shower. Just think how lovely the strawberry shortcakes would be alongside the mini Bundt cakes with floral designs or how tasty it would be to have a slice of eclair cake while enjoying the fresh spring air. (Bonus: there's plenty of no-bake treats on this list too!) We can't imagine a better way to celebrate spring.
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Between the buttery cookie crust, the tangy cheesecake filling, and the strawberry swirl, these bars are a celebration of all things sweet. You can stash them in the freezer, then allow to thaw whenever the craving strikes.
Get the Strawberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Perfect Pound Cake
You can make Ree's pound cake any time of year, but it's particularly delicious when served up with fresh spring strawberries and whipped cream. Plus, the lemony flavor will make you smile.
Get Ree's Perfect Pound Cake recipe.
Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake
To give this crowd-pleasing cake its pink lemonade flavor, the cake batter is made with lemon juice and lemon zest and the frosting is made with strawberry jelly and even more lemon. Don't forget the freeze-dried strawberries!
Get the Pink Lemonade Sheet Cake recipe.
Carrot Cake Bars
Instead of a layer of cream cheese frosting, these carrot cake bars are swirled with cream cheese for an even prettier look! It's a good thing it makes a big batch, because they're sure to disappear.
Get Ree's Carrot Cake Bars recipe.
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
There's no need to turn on the oven with this no-bake dessert. The strawberry filling sets up nice and tall thanks to a combination of cream cheese, whipped cream, and Jell-O. Make it ahead of time!
Get the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
Tiramisu Cake
Espresso-soaked cake layers and whipped mascarpone cream make this towering layer cake an impressive dessert. Try it for Mother's Day or any occasion when you're serving coffee lovers.
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
Raspberry Cream Pie
You only need a couple of minutes to prep this no-bake pie. That means it's easier than ever to enjoy every bite of the Oreo crust and raspberry filling.
Get Ree's Raspberry Cream Pie recipe.
Blondies
If rich, chocolate brownies sounds too heavy for spring, try making blondies instead. Their butterscotch flavor and nutty pecans are great for graduation parties, picnics, and outdoor potlucks.
Get the Blondies recipe.
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
This beautiful pie is piled high with lots of whipped toasted meringue. But it's the lemon curd filling that really makes it taste like sunshine!
Get the Classic Lemon Meringue Pie recipe.
Key Lime Cakes in a Jar
There's no better picnic dessert than a cake in a jar. The portable treat is layered with vanilla cake, lime syrup, and a whipped lime filling.
Get Ree's Key Lime Cakes in a Jar recipe.
Pink Velvet Cupcakes
We've all heard of red velvet cupcakes, but what about pink velvet? This lightened up twist is just as delicious, but with a cute pastel pink color instead.
Get Ree's Pink Velvet Cupcakes recipe.
Carrot Cake Trifle
The iconic spring dessert takes on a new form as a trifle pudding in this indulgent recipe. Perfect for an Easter celebration or spring potluck, it features layers of tender, spiced carrot cake sandwiched between whipped cream cheese topping, decadent pudding, and crushed speculoos cookies.
Get the Carrot Cake Trifle recipe.
Key Lime Cheesecake
Drawing elements from bright, creamy key lime pie, this zesty cheesecake is like two desserts in one! It mimics the sweet, tangy filling of key lime pie with the added thickness and fluffiness of a traditional cheesecake.
Get the Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
If we had to pick two flavors that epitomize spring, it would be lemon and blueberry—both of which are key to this bright cake! This quick cake features lots of lemon zest, plump blueberries, and pillowy cream cheese frosting for ultimate enjoyment.
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Bright, buttery shortbread gets a spring refresh thanks to lots of lemon flavor. Topped with a light lemon glaze, these cookies are like sunshine in a bite!
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Looking to add more salads to your diet? Try this potluck favorite! This delightful treat appeals to both kids and adults thanks to its savory-sweet pretzel crust, creamy cheese filling, and delightful strawberry Jell-O topping.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
Despite its name, this comforting cake doesn't include the singing spring bird, but rather the flavors of ripe banana and crushed pineapple. The two layers of dense cake are sandwiched and topped with decadent cream cheese frosting for a sweet-as-nectar flavor!
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
The sweetness from the strawberries help to balance out the tartness from the rhubarb in this classic spring pie. For even more sweetness, add some turbinado sugar to the top of the crust.
Get the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
This carrot cake-inspired cheesecake is perfect for those who believe the cream cheese frosting is the best part. But don't worry—you’ll still get that spiced, nutty carrot cake flavor from the crust.
Get the Carrot Cake Cheesecake recipe.
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Pink stalks of rhubarb give this cake a pretty geometric pattern that's sure to impress. Make it for your next springtime dinner party and serve with ice cream if you prefer.
Get the Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Pack these bright and lemony cookies for a sunny afternoon in the park. They'd be even better with a glass of lemonade!
Get the Lemon Crinkle Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Shortcakes
This buttery, crumbly shortcake dough is so easy to make. You can even prepare a batch up to a month in advance. Store them in the freezer, then pop them in the oven whenever the craving strikes!
Get the Strawberry Shortcakes recipe.
Blueberry Bars
This super easy recipe starts with a simple dough that's used for both the crust and the topping. Fill it with sweet blueberries for a tasty spring dessert.
Get the Blueberry Bars recipe.
Eclair Cake
It doesn't get easier than this 6-ingredient dessert! You don't even need to turn on the oven to make it.
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
Fruit Tart
The only thing more colorful than a bouquet of flowers is this pretty fruit tart! You can use all garden-fresh berries or a mix of fruits for topping.
Get the Fruit Tart recipe.
Blueberry Cheesecake
Not only is there a beautiful layer of blueberry compote on top, but this cheesecake also has fresh blueberries mixed in for a pop of flavor and color.
Get the Blueberry Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Icebox Cake
Letting the cream cheese and strawberry filling sit with the layers of graham cracker overnight in the freezer helps to soften the cookies. And it also makes it easy to prep ahead!
Get the Strawberry Icebox Cake recipe.
Lemon Cake
This gorgeous cake is just like a simple vanilla layer cake, but with the added brightness and zing from fresh lemon. To balance out the tartness, curls of sweet white chocolate are used for garnish.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
Rhubarb Pie
As soon as the weather starts to warm up, it's time for your favorite rhubarb recipes! And this classic pie is a great place to start.
Get the Rhubarb Pie recipe.
Mini Bundt Cakes
These adorable bite-sized cakes can be decorated with all three glazes (blackberry, dark chocolate, and maple-whiskey) or pick your favorite. The choice is yours!
Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.
Lemon Tart
There's something about this bright yellow tart that's both elegant and simple at the same time. It's sure to put a smile on anyone's face.
Get the Lemon Tart recipe.
Carrot Cake Cookies
This recipe is everything you love about carrot cake—just in the form of cookies! It even has the cream cheese frosting.
Get the Carrot Cake Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Cobbler
This recipe is blissfully simple but it'll make your whole kitchen smell divine! The key is using a cast iron skillet for those golden, crisp edges.
Get the Strawberry Cobbler recipe.
Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake
The pop and crunch of poppy seeds in this lemon Bundt cake makes it so much fun to eat. Not to mention, that lemon glaze makes it oh so sweet.
Get the Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake recipe.
Butterfly Cookies
It doesn't get more impressive than these gorgeous sugar cookies. They're made using a marbling effect that's surprisingly easy to do.
Get Ree's Butterfly Cookies recipe.
Rhubarb Crisp
Ree is a big fan of cooking with rhubarb, especially when it comes to sweets. "When you mix it with lots (and lots and lots) of sugar, it makes a pretty wondrous dessert!" she says.
Get Ree's Rhubarb Crisp recipe.
Lemon Icebox Pie
Even beginner bakers will enjoy trying this easy icebox pie! It can be made ahead of time for easy entertaining.
Get the Lemon Icebox Pie recipe.
Mini Lemon Meringue Pies
These personal pies make it easy to enjoy a sweet treat any night of the week. They have three layers of flavor including the graham cracker crust, lemon curd filling, and toasted meringue topping.
Get Ree's Mini Lemon Meringue Pies recipe.
Strawberry Cheesecake
This cheesecake is light, fluffy, and perfect for spring! It even has a strawberry topping that's bursting with seasonal flavor.
Get the Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake
This gorgeous cake has a surprising ingredient: rosé wine! It helps give the cake moisture and it just so happens to be perfect for Mother's Day.
Get the Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake recipe.
Carrot Cake
Ree's carrot cake recipe is an all-time crowd pleaser, but it's the cream cheese frosting that really makes it shine. As Ree says, "you'll be hard pressed not to eat it by the spoonful."
Get Ree's Carrot Cake recipe.
Classic Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is a classic warm-weather dessert because it's best served chilled. Make the pie ahead but wait to add the whipped topping until you're ready to serve.
Get Ree's Classic Key Lime Pie recipe.
Lemon Pound Cake
This simple cake gets its lemony flavor from three sources: lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and lemon-lime soda. It's so bright and citrusy!
Get Ree's Lemon Pound Cake recipe.
Brookies
If you can't decide between a cookie and a brownie, you don't have to now! This creative dessert mash-up is perfect for backyard potlucks or just an afternoon snack.
Get the Brookies recipe.
No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Compared to typical cheesecakes, this no-bake variation is lighter in texture and more refreshing. Plus, it's perfect for days when you don't want to turn on the oven.
Get the No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake recipe.
Easy Strawberry Pie
Make this show-stopping dessert when strawberry season is in full swing! It's the best way to put your bounty of spring fruits to good use.
Get the Easy Strawberry Pie recipe.
Double Lemon Cupcakes
Between the lemon-flavored cupcakes and the zesty cream cheese frosting, this dessert screams spring! The candied lemon peel on top isn't mandatory but it's a nice finishing touch.
Get Ree's Double Lemon Cupcakes recipe.
Lemon Bars
When life gives you lemons, you'll definitely want to make these perfect lemon bars! They have a thick cookie-like crust and just the right amount of zesty filling.
Get Ree's Lemon Bars recipe.
Sweet Strawberries
Ree's "sugary strawberries" can be used in so many ways—serve them over a slice of pound cake, top with simple whipped cream, or add them to your favorite ice cream sundae. The options are endless!
Get Ree's Sweet Strawberries recipe.
Coconut Layer Cake
This gorgeous all-white layer cake is loaded with coconut flavor. Bake it for your next springtime celebration, whether it's a bridal shower or Easter brunch.
Get Ree's Coconut Layer Cake recipe.
You Might Also Like
