The 3-Ingredient Sorbet That Spotlights Your Favorite Citrus Fruit

If you're looking for an easy, impressive, and delicious dessert, it's time you try making sorbet and serving it in an adorable little citrus cup. The ingredient list for this sweet treat calls for just three things you might already have on hand — a lemon, some fresh fruit, and maple syrup — and the recipe is so simple that it's hardly a recipe at all. Once you blend the ingredients together, all you have to do is scoop them into half of a hollowed-out lemon peel, then sit back and enjoy your sorbet.

While lemony desserts may make you think of summer, this one is crave-worthy all year round. It's especially delightful as a way to brighten the dark days of winter which is, coincidentally, the peak harvest time for most citrus. Enjoy a healthy dose of Vitamin C in this light, fruity dessert that is equal parts sweet and tart. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may even help boost your mood — and many people notice a drop in mood during the winter (per the Cleveland Clinic), so it's always the perfect time to indulge in a sunny little treat.

Before you start making sorbet, it's worth noting that as quick as the recipe is to come together, you will need to leave ample time for the individual ingredients and final dessert to freeze. First, wash your fruit. Berries pair well with this sorbet recipe, so you can use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or another berry of your choice. Dry the fruit, then place on a plate and into the freezer. Alternatively, you can opt for a bag of pre-frozen fruit. Cut the lemon in half and use a spoon to carefully scoop out the fruit inside. Place the two pieces of peel in the freezer to make sure your "cups" get nice and chilled, and then place the fruit of the lemon in a blender. Blend and strain the juice. Pour it into an ice cube tray and put this in the freezer.

After all the fruit is frozen, transfer it to a blender with your desired level of maple syrup and blend until smooth. Scoop the sorbet into the frozen lemon peel cups and serve immediately.

Besides experimenting with different kinds of berries, there are plenty of ways to make this recipe your own and add some pizzazz to the presentation. You can take inspiration from recipes like mango sorbet or Campari and orange sorbet and opt to add a fourth ingredient, infusing it with a fresh herb, such as mint. Feel free to change the citrus, subbing in tangerine or grapefruit, for example, in place of lemon. If you want to play with toppings, try adding whipped cream. For a vegan alternative, use coconut milk cream.

However you make it, serve your sorbet as soon as possible. Since it does not contain any preservatives or emulsifiers outside of fruit juice and maple syrup, it won't last long. On a similar note, your cup won't last long either. By serving your sorbet in the citrus peel, you're making good use of the lemon both inside and out — while also opting for a biodegradable container over single-use plastics, styrofoam, or a bowl you'll have to wash. You can even compost it when you're done.