Have You Tried These Lemon Desserts, Yet?

Lemon is an essential ingredient in the Indian kitchen. From the beginning of the day with lemon water or tea to lemon pickle to complement our meal, this citrus fruit has always added health and flavour to our food. Just a few drops of lemon are enough to lift up the taste of dishes without any artificial flavour. It is considered the best way to add natural zing to any dish and even the apple cider vinegar cannot influence the taste the way lemon does. Along with making the food delicious it is also used as a garnish, in the form of slice or wedge. 

This bright yellow fruit is also high in nutrients like vitamin C and fibre which helps in maintaining cholesterol level hence reducing the risk of heart related disease. According to Healthline, the soluble fibre present in the fruit is beneficial for gut health and improves the digestive system and also drinking lemon water every morning can help in controlling weight. Due to the high content of vitamin C lemon also helps in building immunity, therefore, adding lemon to your diet is important. Apart from adding zest to our savoury dishes, lemons are also a perfect ingredient to prepare luscious desserts. 

Here is the recipe for four lemon desserts that can give a refreshing finish to any meal: 

1. Lemon Pie 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup cornstarch 
• 3 tsp all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 2 cups water 
• 3 large egg yolks (beaten) 
• 1 tsp butter 
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest 
• 1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked

For Meringue: 

• 3 large egg whites 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/2 cup sugar

Method: 

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt and gradually stir in water. 
• Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly then reduce heat and cook for two more minutes.  
• Remove from the heat and gradually stir one cup of hot mixture into egg yolks and mix with the remaining mixture.  
• Bring to boil and cook and stir for two minutes.  
• Then remove from the heat and stir in the butter, lemon juice and zest until smooth.  
• Pour into pastry shell. 
• In a bowl, beat egg whites and salt until stiff. 
•  Gradually beat in sugar until soft peaks form and spread over pie, sealing edges to pastry. 
•  Bake at 350° until meringue is golden for 12-15 minutes.  
• Cool and serve. 

2. Lemon Pudding 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream 
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 lemon zest 
• 6 tsp lemon juice 
• 1 cup berries to garnish

Method: 

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, sugar and lemon zest and bring them to a boil.  
• Adjust the heat to a gentle boil, and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.  
• Add the lemon juice and continue to simmer for five more minutes.  
• Take the pan off the heat and let the cream cool for five minutes. 
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a cup.  
• Pour into glasses and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours. 
•  Top each glass with berries just before serving. 

3. Lemon Cookies 

Ingredients: 

• 220 grams all-purpose flour  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) 
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 large egg  
• Zest of one medium lemon 
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon extract

Method: 

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside. 
• In another mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until well combined. 
• Then add egg to it and mix until fully combined. 
• Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract until fully combined. 
• Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. 
• Cover tightly and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. 
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. 
• Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and using a cookie scoop, scoop balls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. 
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookie are set.  
• Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. 
• And it's ready to serve. 

4. Lemon Bars 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup butter (softened) 
• 2 cup sugar 
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 
• 4 eggs 
• 2 lemons, juiced

Method: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
• In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, two cups flour and half cup sugar and press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. 
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm and golden.  
• In another bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar and flour. 
• Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust. 
• Bake for an additional 20 minutes and let them cool. 
• And serve.