18 Easy Spring Desserts That Are Full of Bright, Fresh Flavors

From rhubarb crisp and strawberry cupcakes to lemon cream, these sweets are just right for the season.

Two bowls of strawberry cobbler topped with scoops of ice cream, accompanied by golden spoons — Credit:
Jake Sternquist

These easy spring desserts are sweet, a little tart, and a touch refreshing. We’ve moved on from the spiced pies and puddings of the cold months. Now is the time to embrace bright lemon, tart rhubarb, and juicy strawberries. If carrot cake has a season, it’s now.

Our recipe collection maximizes fresh flavors and minimizes prep time. All the desserts can be prepped in well under an hour, though some may require a couple of hours to set in the refrigerator, and the baked desserts need to cool after their baking time. We’ve got lemon curd tartlets for when you want bright color and rhubarb buckle for when you need a dessert for the first picnic of the year. There are also frosty treats to scoop and sheet cakes that are great for potlucks, but also nice to have on hand and enjoy over the course of several days—maybe after you start the vegetable garden or tackle some spring cleaning.

01 of 18

Lemon Trifle

A lemon trifle dessert in a bowl with cream and lemon topping served on a table with plates spoons and glasses — Jason Donnelly

This creamy yet zingy lemon trifle resembles lemon meringue pie but is so much easier to make. There's no pie crust to deal with; we use ladyfingers, heavy cream, and lemon curd for this elegant dessert. It only takes 20 minutes to prep, then it needs time to set up in the refrigerator.

02 of 18

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Frederic Lagrange

Strawberries and rhubarb are best friends—and this super-easy spring dessert is the best way to enjoy them.

03 of 18

Carrot-Cake Thumbprint Cookies

Marcus Nilsson

These dreamy treats taste like carrot cake but are easier to make—and eat. Their creamy filling is similar to cream cheese frosting.

04 of 18

Coconut Water Granita

A glass of coconut granita topped with fresh fruit and a spoon beside it — Kirsten Francis

Made with two ingredients, coconut water and superfine sugar, then garnished with sliced strawberries and toasted coconut, this frozen dessert couldn't be easier. It also couldn't be more refreshing.

05 of 18

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Like strawberry shortcake but sweeter and simpler, that's the appeal of these vanilla cupcakes. They are filled with strawberry jam and diced strawberries and topped with whipped cream.

06 of 18

Rhubarb Custards

rhubarb custards — Johnny Miller

There's no cake to bake or pastry to roll, this creamy custard couldn't be simpler. Many custards call for a hot-water bath, not this easy take that's studded with rhubarb for a sweet-tart contrast to the smooth baked dessert

07 of 18

Classic Vanilla Pudding

Classic Vanilla Pudding — Jake Sternquist

This luscious, creamy dessert is easy to make at home. It calls for only a handful of basic pantry and fridge ingredients like milk and heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch, and requires only about 10 minutes on the stovetop. After a few hours in the refrigerator, it's ready to enjoy.

08 of 18

Strawberry Cobbler

Two bowls of strawberry cobbler topped with scoops of ice cream, accompanied by golden spoons — Jake Sternquist

Tender, buttery biscuits and jammy strawberries are a match made in heaven. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or plenty of whipped cream.

09 of 18

Easy Carrot Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — Carson Downing

This sheet cake is a cinch to make. It has all the delicious carrot cake flavors you know and love, but there are no layers to deal with, and it feeds a crowd.

10 of 18

Lemon-Curd Phyllo Tartlets

Lemon-Curd Phyllo Tartlets — Paola + Murray

Dessert in 20 minutes? Yes please! Give store-bought phyllo cups a quick warm in the oven, then fill them with lemon curd, add fresh berries for color and contrast, and enjoy.

11 of 18

Tres Leches Cake

Jake Sternquist

Luscious and moist, our tres leches cake recipe shouldn't be missed. Serve it directly from the pan; there's no need to invert or transfer it to a platter. We include instructions for serving with whipped cream and fruit—use a seasonal fruit such as strawberries for a real spring feel.

12 of 18

Rose-Poached Rhubarb

This rosy-hued dessert tastes as good as it looks. You can poach the rhubarb on the stovetop before dinner, and let it stand while you eat. It will be ready to eat when you're ready for something sweet. Pair it with plain yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

13 of 18

Easy Strawberry Tart

Strawberry Tart — Rachel Marek

What looks fancy but is actually simple to make? This gorgeous strawberry tart! It takes about 30 minutes—but you'll need to let it chill before serving. There's a buttery cookie-like crust (no pastry to make!) and a filling of sweetened cream cheese. It's finished with a layer of fresh strawberries brushed with melted red currant jelly for extra sweetness and a bit of tang.

14 of 18

Lemon Cream With Blackberries

Sang An

Though we call this easy dessert lemon cream, it's actually dairy-free. It gets its creamy, smooth texture from silken tofu—and it only takes 15 minutes to make. No chilling needed, it's ready to eat once you blend the lemon juice and zest with the honey and tofu. Top with your choice of berries—or opt for poached rhubarb!

15 of 18

Strawberry Icebox Pie

This irresistible spring dessert tastes like strawberries! There are two quarts in the filling. The only baking is for the crumb crust, and there is plenty of whipped cream to bring it all together.

16 of 18

Rhubarb Buckle

Dana Gallagher

A buckle is a crumb-topped baked fruit-and-cake dessert. It's easy to make and easy to eat out of hand, no fork needed. It's also perfect for convincing those who aren't sure they like rhubarb, as the generous amount of moist cake balances the tangy fruit.

17 of 18

Glazed Lemon Cookies

Glazed Lemon Cookies — Brie Goldman

Everything about these lemon cookies is easy. They come together quickly because they are simple drop cookies, so no rolling or shaping is required. They're cakey, sweet, and packed with lemon flavor—plus they're finished with a two-ingredient lemon glaze for more citrus tang.

18 of 18

Buttermilk Ice Cream

buttermilk ice cream — Yossi Arefi

Light yet tangy and refreshing, this easy take on homemade ice cream is egg-free. Enjoy a scoop or two as is or pair it with spring berries—or chocolate sauce and nuts.

Like strawberry shortcake but sweeter and simpler, that's the appeal of these vanilla cupcakes. They are filled with strawberry jam and diced strawberries and topped with whipped cream.

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