The ultimate guide for adding preserved lemon in your desserts & co*cktails. — Middle Eastern Pantry & Recipes | New York Shuk (2024)

We’re not here to waste your time with a traditional lemon bar recipe. Let’s crank it up a notch with some preserved lemon fun(k)

Preserved. Lemon. Bars. Just imagine the umami-rich taste of Preserved Lemons in a lemon bar. It balances out the usual intense sweetness of the dessert. This recipe from Food52 by Rebecca Firkser is salty-sweet, well-balanced, and feels super special-occasion worthy. Need we say more!?!

If the recipe above doesn’t convince you to use preserved lemons in lemon bars, try these Tangy Preserved Lemon Bars by Nasim Lahbichi. These bars are playful, zesty, and pleasantly sweet. We appreciate this recipe even more for it being a no-bake and vegan-friendly option. Hello, the perfect summer party treat!

Is there anything better than ice cream on a hot summer day? This homemade Preserved Lemon Ice Cream by Yossy Arefi is unlike anything you would get from an ice cream truck around the corner. The unexpectedly sweet and sour notes perfectly balance out the sweetness of the creamy base. Arefi suggests serving it scooped with a drizzle of fruity olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt to garnish.

If Claire Saffitz, the dessert queen herself, uses (and loves) preserved lemons in her bakes, that means preserved lemons belong in desserts. Period. In her Preserved Lemon Meringue Cake, Claire incorporates preserved lemons directly into the cake batter. The end result is a perfectly lemony, slightly floral sponge that balances out the richness of sweet Italian Meringue. One of the comments states “Imagine eating a lemon candy droplet but in light cake form”, and we’re here for it

The Bon Appetit Preserved-Lemon Tea Cake by Zaynab Issa is oh, so lemony and bright! Instead of packing in tons of fresh fruit, Issa uses Preserved Lemons to bring out that powerful citrus flavor and a light touch of brininess. This tea cake is very easy to whip up but guaranteed to be a showstopper thanks to its irresistible flavors and sunny appearance.

This Preserved Lemon Poppyseed Labneh Cheesecake by Kathryn Pauline (creator of Cardamom and Tea) is like a sophisticated, fashion-forward sibling of the traditional cheesecake. Labneh, a thick, creamy strained yogurt, creates a light, fluffy texture and brings a slight tang to the dessert. Preserved lemons are fragrant and build up the lemony flavor in the most unexpected, but pleasant manner.

This Food & Wine Preserved-Lemon Pudding with Basil Syrup recipe by Justin Yu gets is rich, perfectly balanced with sweet & savory notes, and brightened up with layers of lemon flavors. Straightforward in preparation, this pudding is set (no pun intended) to awe your guests.​

This Strawberry & Preserved Lemon Lassi by Aimée of Simple Bytes is the best way to take advantage of strawberry season. Lassi is a traditional Indian-style yogurt-based drink popular across India. It’s thinner and lighter than a smoothie, a perfect refresher treat on a hot summer day. Making a Lassi is very easy, all you need is a high-speed blender and five minutes of your time. Traditionally, lassi is made with an addition of salt, but in this recipe, Preserved Lemons add that pleasant tangy, salty touch.

Lemon Sting - Preserved Lemons & Rosemary co*cktail

The flavors of rosemary and preserved lemon in this co*cktail are subtle & unique and they bring a whole new dimension to the world of co*cktails.

Sunrise Ruby - Preserved Lemons & Grapefruit co*cktail

This refreshing co*cktail marries two citrus flavors - lemons and grapefruits. We suggest making the syrup in advance so you can mix the ingredients together and enjoy the summery drink in no time. We can picture ourselves sipping on Sunrise Ruby somewhere on a rooftop on a summer Friday night.

Lemon Drop - Preserved Lemons & Honey co*cktail

Made with gin (or vodka if gin ain’t your thing), fresh lemon juice, and preserved lemon & honey-based syrup, this bright co*cktail is lemony indeed.