Today is April 23rd. Today they are predicting large-ish amounts of snow for the Pittsburgh area through tonight. We saw virtually no snow all winter and had a full week of 80-degree weather in early March, so we’re getting our due, I suppose. As you know, I love, love, love snow storms and will embrace any opportunity to be snowed in, even if it comes just three days after I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Maybe it’s Mother Nature’s way of mourning the Penguins’ early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs this year? Shedding tears of snow? That must be it.

With snow in the forecast but summer looming, I thought today would be a great day to highlight some of the best citrus and fruit-based recipes on the site. Whether it’s fresh-squeezed lemonade, using limes for drinks or cupcakes, or gathering fresh-picked fruit from a local orchard and baking up pies, I’ve compiled a list to keep you busy all summer. All of the recipes play on the fresh ingredients available this time of year, and create wonderfully light and fresh desserts, perfect for the warm days ahead. Enjoy the list… I’m off to put on my snow boots…

1. Apple Cinnamon Bread
2. Apple Hand Pies
3. Banana Cream Pie
4. Banana Cupcakes with Vanilla Pastry Cream
5. Banana Muffins
6. Banana Nut Bread
7. Bananas Foster Banana Bread
8. Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
9. Black-and-White Banana Loaf
10. Blackberry Pie Bars

11. Blueberry Boy Bait
12. Blueberry-Buttermilk Scones
13. Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
14. Blueberry Crisp
15. Blueberry Crumb Cake
16. Blueberry Muffins
17. Blueberry Pie
18. Cherry Crisp
19. Classic Apple Pie
20. Classic Lemonade

21. Cranberry Orange Scones
22. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
23. Dutch Apple Pie
24. Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
25. Fresh Strawberry Pie
26. Ginger-Tea Lemonade
27. Hidden Berry Cream Cheese Torte
28. Lemon Bars
29. Lemon Burst Cookies
30. Lemon-Limoncello Cupcakes

31. Lemon Meringue Pie
32. Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
33. Margarita Cupcakes
34. Peach Cobbler
35. Peach Crumb Bars
36. Peach Pie
37. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
38. Orange Berry Muffins
39. Orange Cream Tart
40. Raspberry Streusel Bars

41. Rhubarb Crumb Cake
42. Rhubarb Pie-Tartlets
43. Roasted Banana Ice Cream
44. Russian Grandmothers’ Apple Pie-Cake
45. Skillet Apple Crisp
46. Southern Banana Pudding
47. Strawberry Mirror Cake
48. Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
49. Strawberry Tart
50. White Sangria

What is your favorite citrus or fruit recipe for the spring and summer months?