
Spring’s arrival always sparks joy in my kitchen, with the promise of vibrant, fresh desserts replacing winter’s heavy bakes. As smartphone use soars, I’m reminded to stay present while baking with loved ones, avoiding digital distractions. Spring calls for zesty lemon pies and berry-filled tarts. Let’s explore five ways to create delightful, easy spring treats that celebrate the season.

Lemon Pound Cake
Equipment
- 1 6-cup Loaf Pan
- 1 Electric Mixer (Stand or Hand Mixer)
- 2 Mixing Bowls Medium and Small
- 1 Wire Rack With a sheet pan underneath
- 1 Pastry Brush or Turkey Baster For glaze application
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar plus 1/3 cup
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup lemon juice plus 1/3 cup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 6-cup loaf pan and line it with parchment or waxed paper. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter. Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix. With the mixer running at low speed, add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla.
- Working in alternating batches, and mixing after each addition, add the dry ingredients and 1/4 cup of the lemon juice to the butter mixture. Mix until just smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake until raised in the center and a tester inserted into the center comes out dry and almost clean (a few crumbs are OK), 65 to 75 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 1/3 cup lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved.
- When the cake is done, let cool in the pan 15 minutes (it will still be warm). Run a knife around the sides of the pan. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan with sides (to catch the glaze) and turn the cake out onto the rack. Peel off the waxed paper.
- Using a turkey baster or pastry brush, spread glaze all over the top and sides of the cake and let soak in. Repeat until the entire glaze is used up, including any glaze that has dripped through onto the sheet pan. Let cool at room temperature or, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator (Well wrapped, the cake will last up to a week). Serve at room temperature, in thin slices.
Notes

1. Embracing Seasonal Flavors

Lemon Icebox Pie
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- 1 9-inch Pie Dish
- 1 Stand Mixer with whisk attachment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 2 Mixing Bowls various sizes
Ingredients
Main
- 12 graham crackers
- 1/3 cup salted butter melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup lemon curd
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup blackberries
- 1/4 cup raspberries
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Break the graham crackers, add them to a food processor and process to fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and granulated sugar and process until well combined; the texture should be that of dry sand.
- Using the back of a measuring cup, press the crumbs firmly into a 9-inch round pie dish. Put the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake until slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool while making the filling.
- For the filling: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff. Set aside.
- To a clean mixing bowl, add the lemon curd, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth. Gently fold 3/4 cup of the whipped cream into the lemon curd mixture until combined.
- Pour the filling into the cooled pie shell. Top with the remaining whipped cream and use the back of a spoon to spread it and make peaks. Freeze, uncovered, for at least 2 hours. (If storing longer, after 2 hours in the freezer remove, cover and return to the freezer. Store for up to 48 hours in advance. If freezing overnight or longer, remove from the freezer 10 to 12 minutes before slicing.)
- For serving: If desired, top with the blackberries, raspberries and mint. Dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Spring baking is all about bright, citrusy ingredients and spring colors.
I adore that burst of lemons and strawberries in my sweets, bringing sunny days to mind. Pastry chef Sarah O’Brien specifically uses seasonal fruits such as berries for maximum flavor, reports Food & Wine. Strawberries, blueberries, or rhubarb take center stage in tarts or pies. My strawberry rhubarb pie, made on a whim after visiting a local farmers market, was an instant family favorite. Vanilla, of which Baking Expert Jane Smith sang the praises for its brightness, takes like biscotti to an elevated plane. Taste the pleasure of making homemade vanilla extract now it’s so sweet to give later, writes Bon Appétit. Add some citrus zest, such as to a lemon blueberry tart, and introduce a burst of flavor. These ingredients are not only delicious; they are a pleasure to work with, with little effort needed to create ultimate bliss. Stop by a market, gather what is in season, and let spring’s bounty be your guide to baking, creating pastries that are a hug.

2. Lemon Icebox Pie Perfection
My spring favorite is the Lemon Icebox Pie brilliant, luxurious, and effortless.
Begin with a graham cracker crust: grind 14 crackers (200g) with ¼ cup sugar and ¼ tsp salt and then mix with 6 Tbsp melted butter. Press into a 9″ springform pan with a measuring cup for firmness, as pastry chef Claire Saffitz recommends. Bake 325°F, 10 minutes, then cool. To make the filling, whisk 2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk with 1¼ cups lemon juice, then mix with 8 egg yolks and 2 Tbsp lemon zest until pale. Pour into crust, bake 25 minutes or until center jiggles, cool 1 hour, and freeze 6 hours. Top with whipped cream (2 cups heavy cream, ½ tsp vanilla, ¼ cup powdered sugar). My first attempt was a success with my friends at a picnic it’s a make-ahead dream! This pie, reports Epicurious, is just tart and sweet enough, so it’s a spring staple.

Grandma’s Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
Equipment
- 2 Pastry Blenders
- 1 Measuring Cup (2-cup)
- 1 Pie Dish 9-inch or 10-inch
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Rolling Pin
Ingredients
Main
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus additional flour as needed, up to 1/4 cup
- 1/2 cup cake flour recommended: Soft As Silk
- 3 teaspoons sifted powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening recommended: Crisco
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- Pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1/4 cup ice cold water
- 2 1/2 cups chopped red rhubarb fresh
- 2 1/2 cups de-stemmed washed and cut strawberries (in larger pieces)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups for high altitude
- 2 tablespoons minute tapioca
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons butter cubed small
- 1 egg white beaten with 1 teaspoon water
- Large granule sugar
Instructions
- Crust Preparation:
- Using 2 pastry blenders, blend the flours, sugar, shortening, butter and salt. Whisk the egg, vinegar and water in a 2-cup measure and pour over the dry ingredients incorporating all the liquid without overworking the dough. Toss the additional flour over the ball of dough and chill if possible. Divide the dough into 2 disks. Roll out 1 piece of dough to make a bottom crust. Place into a pie dish. Put dish in refrigerator to chill.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Filling Preparation:
- Mix the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, tapioca, flour, zest and juice of lemon, dash of cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix well in a large bowl and pour out into chilled crust. Dot the top of the filling with the butter. Brush edges of pie crust with egg white wash. Roll out the other piece of dough and place over filling. Crimp to seal edges. Brush with egg white wash and garnish with large granule sugar. Collar with foil and bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Decrease temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling starts bubbling. Higher altitude will take 450 degrees F and 400 degrees F respectively. Also, you can use a pie bird for extra decor. Let cool before serving.
Notes

3. Finding No-Bake Desserts
No-bake desserts are a springtime lifesaver when you’d rather be outside than beside the side of a hot oven.
I love the Strawberry Icebox Cake layering graham crackers, whipped cream, and slices of strawberries. It spends minutes in the fridge, soft, according to Food Network. Another I enjoy is Dirt Pudding with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms that my children adore! Key Lime Pie Bars, which use only 7 ingredients, combine tart cream cheese and a graham cracker crust, Serious Eats reports. Quick, light, and ideal for hot weather, they are a cinch to make. My baby shower for my cousin used no-bake cheesecake, a decadent hit that took no oven space. Utilize seasonal fruits such as raspberries to maximize flavors. These snacks are easy, allowing you to enjoy spring sunshine and taste yummy, stress-free treats with loved ones and friends.

Spring Celebration Carrot Cake
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer Stand or hand-held
- 2 8-inch Square Cake Pans
- 3 Mixing Bowls Assorted sizes
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Wire Rack For cooling cakes
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 cups grated fresh carrots about 2 large
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple see Cooks Note
- 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- 2 4-ounce jars pureed carrot baby food
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese (1 pound), at room temperature
- 12 tablespoons 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest about 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple
Instructions
- For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) square cake pans, line them with buttered parchment paper, and dust with flour.
- Toss the carrots, walnuts and 1/2 cup pineapple with 3/4 cup of the flour in a small bowl and set aside.
- Whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.
- In another large bowl beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until thick and light, about 5 minutes. While continuing to beat the eggs slowly, gradually add the oil, and then the pureed carrot.
- Scatter the dry ingredients over the wet and then gently fold them together to make a loose batter. Gently fold the nuts, carrots, and pineapple into the batter. Pour into the prepared pans. Bake the cakes until firm to the touch and a cake tester comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on a rack for 25 minutes. Turn cakes out of pans and cool completely on the rack.
- For the icing:
- Beat cream cheese in a large bowl, with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the butter until smooth. Sift the sugar over the cream cheese, and beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy. Refrigerate to set slightly for about 20 minutes.
- To assemble the cake, place a cake layer on a cake stand, plate, or cake board. Spread about half of the icing over top, but leave the sides bare. Sprinkle icing with about half of the pineapple. Top with a second cake layer, and repeat with remaining icing and pineapple. Serve.
Notes

4. Creating Light and Playful Cakes Spring cakes must be light and lively, the same as spring.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
- 2 Baking Sheets
- 1 Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Main
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 15-ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon zested
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cookies:
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
- Glaze:
- Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.
Notes
Angel Food Cake, using only 6 ingredients, is tall and airy, served best with whipped cream and berries, says Baking Expert Jane Smith.
My Easter brunch included this cake, and the guests were wild about it. Carrot Cake, whose spiced, moist nature and cream cheese frosting are another favorite my sister. The Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake, full of zest and fresh berries, as Saveur describes it, is sunshine. For diversity, experiment with a Cheesecake Swirl Carrot Bundt Cake, which brings together deep flavors. I made a Banana Cake using a cake mix shortcut for a potluck, and the caramel frosting was the standout. These cakes are easy, employing simple methods, and bring spring’s energy to whatever table they sit on, so every bite is a paean to the season’s coziness.

5. Baking Shareable Bites Cookies, cupcakes, and bars are ideal for spring picnics or easy entertaining.

Raspberry Cheesecake
Equipment
- 1 9-inch Springform Pan
- 1 Electric Mixer (with paddle attachment)
- 1 Set of mixing bowls
- 1 Small Saucepan
- 1 Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 10 crackers
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 pounds cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 5 whole extra-large eggs at room temperature
- 2 extra-large egg yolks at room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 2 lemons
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup red jelly not jam, such as currant, raspberry, or strawberry
- 3 half-pints fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- To make the crust, combine the graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until moistened. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and about 1-inch up the sides. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
- Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
- To make the filling, cream the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs and egg yolks, 2 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven temperature down to 225 degrees F and bake for another 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and open the door wide. The cake will not be completely set in the center. Allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door open for 30 minutes. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature for another 2 to 3 hours, until completely cooled. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving.
- To make the topping, melt the jelly in a small pan over low heat. In a bowl, toss the raspberries and the warm jelly gently until well mixed. Arrange the berries on top of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Note: Measure your springform pan. The bottom of mine measures 9 inches, but it says 9 1/2. I put the springform pan on a sheet pan before putting it in the oven to catch any leaks.
Notes
Lemon Ricotta Cookies, which are glazed with citrus, are tiny cakes, according to Bon Appétit.
Mine enjoyed them in my book club.Glazed Coconut Lime Cookies are tart and Pastel Butter Cookies, which are sugar-coated with fruit-dusted sugar, are precious and simple. Funfetti Cupcakes, which have rainbow sprinkles on top, bring joy to everyone, according to Food & Wine. Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust, which use only 7 ingredients, are perfect for bake sales. My neighbor’s barbecue had Coconut Macaroons chewy, gluten-free, and in a flash. Transport carriers: a lid-wearing 9×13 pan for bars, a pie carrier for tarts. These morsels are easy, portionable, and packed with spring flavors, so everyone departs with a smile and a full heart. Conclusion Spring baking is a delicious way to rejoice at the season’s vibrancy. I have learned to welcome new flavors, learn simple pies, discover no-bake desserts, bake light cakes, and create shareable bites. These desserts, zesty lemon through juicy berries, unite people. In a hurried world, making the decision to bake and share these desserts is an act of love that is sweet.