Zesting is a must-have skill in the kitchen for citrus-loving home cooks and bakers. Not only is it easy to master, but citrus zest can take any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. You can amplify your baked goods with a touch of orange, lemon or lime for a real kick.
Why Zest Is the Best
Citrus zest adds delicate yet evident flavor to an array of popular baked goods, like these sweet-tart lemon cream cupcakes, shortbread lemon bars, orange cranberry bread and an all-time favorite—Key lime pie!
So, what makes zest so special? Why not just add juice or fruit? The reason is that zest doesn’t change the actual chemistry of the treat while baking in the oven. For example, if you decide to use lemon juice in place of a few tablespoons of lemon zest, you’ll end up with a much different texture since the ingredients react differently.
Zest and juice also provide slightly different flavor notes. Citrus zest is the colored part of the peel that holds the fruit’s essential oils, which provide a bright, sweet flavor. Citrus juice has a tart, acidic taste.
How to Zest a Lemon
There are a few different ways to zest citrus rinds:
- Use a zester: Be sure to get yourself an ergonomic, high-quality zester (like this one from OXO) to make the job easy.
- Grab the grater: Use the sharp grater teeth to gently shave the zest.
- Invest in a Microplane: Rub the clean fruit over the microplane, using a light pressure and rotating the fruit as you work.
Easy Lemon Zest Substitutes
If you don’t have fresh citrus on hand to zest, not to worry. You can still perk up your baked goods with the help of a few quick substitutes.
Vintage Desserts Made With Fresh Lemon
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Lemon Chiffon Cake
This moist, airy chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
Easy Pink Lemonade Pie
I love bringing something sweet to a potluck, but I don’t like spending all day in the kitchen. Saltine crust is amazing with a no-bake, tart-sweet strawberry lemonade filling. — Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
Sour Cream-Lemon Pie
I first tasted this pie at a local restaurant and hunted around until I found a similar recipe—now it's my husband's favorite. —Martha Sorensen, Fallon, Nevada
California Lemon Pound Cake
Citrus trees grow abundantly in California, and I'm always looking for new recipes which use the fruit from the orange and lemon trees in my yard. This is one of my favorites! My mother passed this recipe down to me. —Richard Killeaney, Spring Valley, California
Lemon Snowdrops
I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
Lemon Mango Kanafeh
Several years ago I came upon a little neighborhood restaurant making the most incredible Turkish food I'd ever seen or tasted. I was completely blown away by the dessert and had to learn how to make it. —Jodi Taffel, Altadena, California
Lemon-Butter Spritz Cookies
This recipe makes a lot of terrific cookies! It's great for Christmas when all the kids and grandkids visit. They can help decorate the cookies-not to mention help eat them! —Paula Pelis, Rocky Point, New York
Lemon Orange Cake
I like to bake this lovely three-layer cake instead of a more traditional pie for Thanksgiving. It has that tangy Florida citrus flavor and isn't any more difficult to make than a two-layer cake. —Norma Poole, Auburndale, Florida
Bake-Sale Lemon Bars
The recipe for these tangy lemon bars comes from my cousin Bernice, a farmer's wife famous for cooking up feasts. — Mildred Keller, Rockford, Illinois
Lemon Cream Cupcakes
Just thinking of these delicate cupcakes makes me hungry! —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta.
Patriotic Frozen Delight
My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This frozen dessert showcases both blueberries and strawberries and has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina
Lemon-Lime Mousse
For a light and refreshing dessert after any meal, try this tangy citrus treat. —Kathryn Anderson, Wallkill, New York.
Lemon Zucchini Drops
When we lived on the East Coast, a nearby fruit and vegetable stand had a bakery featuring these soft cakelike cookies. We missed every bite when we moved away, so I developed this recipe. —Barbara Franklin, Tucson, Arizona
Coconut Lemon Crisps
We had these cookies at our wedding reception, where they brought smiles and compliments. They've become one of our anniversary dinner trademarks. —Segarie Moodley, Longwood, Florida
Citrus Mini Cakes
These moist, bite-size muffins from Linda Terrell of Palatka, Florida are melt-in-your-mouth good. "With their appealing look, they really dress up a party table," she notes. The recipe makes a big batch, so there's plenty to please a crowd.
Frozen Hawaiian Pie
Cool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida
Contest-Winning Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce
I asked my mother-in-law for this recipe once I learned it's my husband's favorite. Now I bake it whenever he needs an extra-special treat. Spice cake topped with lemony sauce makes us both smile. —Kristen Oak, Pocatello, Idaho
Lemon Meltaways
Both the cookie and the frosting are spiked with lemon in these melt-in-your-mouth goodies. Your family won't be able to get enough of this lemon butter meltaway cookie recipe. —Mary Houchin, Lebanon, Illinois
Almond-Coconut Lemon Bars
Give traditional lemon bars a tasty twist with the addition of almonds and coconut. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Curd Cookies
I've made these cookies for years. I like to give them out to family and friends. —Carole Vogel, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Shortbread Lemon Tart
For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added orange peel to both the crust and filling and turned the recipe into a tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Moist Lemon Angel Cake Roll
Tart and delicious, this pretty cake roll will tickle any lemon lover's fancy. Its feathery, angel food texture enhances its guilt-free goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Blueberry Buckle with Lemon Sauce
This recipe is a family favorite, served warm as dessert, plain or with a scoop of ice cream. My family also likes it cold as a coffee cake. But the lemon sauce topping makes this traditional dessert a little different, enhancing the flavor of the blueberries. —Maureen Carr, Carman, Manitoba
Lemon Gelato
On a recent trip to Italy, I became addicted to gelato. My favorite choice was lemon because Italian lemons have an intense flavor. This recipe brings back memories of our vacation. —Gail Wang, Troy, Michigan
Lemon Ricotta Cake
This recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
Florida Citrus Meringue Pie
Why limit a great dessert to just one kind of citrus fruit? Thanks to orange and lemon, this lovely pie packs a bold sweet-tart flavor! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Lemon-Berry Shortcake
This simple lemon shortcake is tender and not overly sweet. Enjoy this summertime classic with a generous layer of whipped topping and berries. —Meryl Herr, Overland Park, Kansas
Lemonade Cheesecake Parfaits
My friends like the tartness of the pink lemonade layer against the sweetness of the cheesecake layer. For a pretty look, I top the parfaits with crushed pomegranate seeds and lemon zest. —Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Frosting
When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Lemon & Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Lemon and rosemary make these luscious treats a sweet surprise for a few friends. —Malorie Harris, Wildomar, California
Lemon Shortbreads
Every year my mom and I collect cookie recipes we want to try and then get together in early December for an afternoon of baking. These no-fail lemon cookies have become an annual tradition. They're a wonderful homemade holiday gift. —Kristen Stecklein, Glendale, Wisconsin
Lemony Rhubarb Pie
I love rhubarb from the garden, and there's nothing like this pie—which includes a happy burst of lemon—to say spring is here! —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Lemon Cornmeal Cookies
Anything lemon makes my day brighter and these soft cookies have a fabulous lemon aroma and a subtle lemon flavor. —Theresa Miller, Sault S Marie, Michigan
Lemony Coconut Macaroons
These chewy gems have refreshing lemon flavor. They freeze well and thaw easily in the fridge, so you can cure a craving anytime. —Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
Pink Lemonade Stand Cake
If you love a moist and creamy cake, this is it. Lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Giant Lemon Sugar Cookies
These wonderfully chewy cookies have a light lemon flavor from both the juice and zest. The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch. —Michael Vyskocil, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
Lemon-Lime Butter Cookies
I was looking for a light cookie that would freeze and travel well and couldn't find one, so I created these. They are so good you won't be able to eat just one.—Brenda Brooks, Bowie, Maryland
Lemon Oatmeal Sugar Cookies
This is an especially fun recipe to make with kids because they can roll the dough into balls and flatten them on the baking sheets. The lemon and oatmeal add a nice twist to traditional sugar cookies. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lemony Coconut Bars
These lemony and chewy bars make a refreshing addition to the holiday cookie tray. Try lime juice and zest for a zingy twist. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Mini Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
Dainty and light, these tartlets feature two of my favorites —lemon and cheesecake —in one yummy morsel. They look lovely topped with fresh raspberries, but sliced strawberries are just as pretty and delicious. —Gwyn Brandt, Hibbing, Minnesota
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top it with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lovely Lemon Cheesecake
Wait for the oohs and aahs when you present this luxurious lemon cheesecake recipe. The lemon flavor gives it a bright, tangy flavor. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia
Lemony Cream Cheese Bars
Anytime I can take a recipe that has been handed down two generations and lighten it up while keeping the delicious flavor memories intact, I’m a happy girl. —Patti Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
Coconut Citrus Layer Cake
Make a showstopper holiday treat: tender white cake layered with tangy grapefruit curd and topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting. To make it more spectacular add a little toasted coconut and some citrus garnishes. Your guests will never guess you started with a convenient boxed mix. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, UT
Lemony Walnut-Raisin Galette
This flaky, buttery pastry dessert has a filling of fruit, walnuts, coconut and cinnamon. There's a lot to love! For even more appeal, dollop sweetened whipped cream on top of each serving. —Ellen Kozak, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Slice Sugar Cookies
Here's a refreshing variation of my grandmother's sugar cookie recipe. Lemon pudding mix and icing add a subtle tartness that tingles your taste buds. —Melissa Turkington, Camano Island, Washington
Lemon Pound Cake Loaves
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon pound cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Easy Lemon Pie
I’ve had this one-bowl lemon pie recipe for years. It’s my twist on chocolate French silk pie, and it's uber easy to do with refrigerated pie pastry. —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Star-Spangled Lemon Icebox Pie
With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a star pattern. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts
These fruit tarts are so refreshing on a hot summer day! They are extremely healthy and convenient, and just a few ingredients means they're easy to make, too. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Tart & Tangy Lemon Tart
Our family adores lemon desserts. I like to make this lemony tart for brunch. For extra-special events, I bake it in my heart-shaped tart pan. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Lemon Rhubarb Tube Cake
This dessert practically screams summer. The fresh lemon flavor in the cake and the tart rhubarb topping are just so refreshing. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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The post The Super Simple Way to Jazz up Your Baked Goods appeared first on Taste of Home.
Ceara Milligan