I’m a sucker for lemony treats with their lip-puckering tart flavor. And right now our lemon tree is overwhelming us with bags and bags of fresh lemons that I’m trying to use in all the things when I can’t give enough of them away. This fresh lemon brownie recipe has a dense, fudgy texture just like a regular brownie, but it is loaded with bright, citrusy flavors and covered in a tangy glaze! Some people call these lemon blondies since there isn’t any brown to these brownies, but regardless of what you want to call them, these lemon brownie bars are the perfect dessert for a lemon lover looking for a twist on traditional chocolate brownies. The addition of white chocolate chips is the perfect complimentary flavor that helps sell the brownie-ness of these Lemon Brownies since our family loves fudgy brownies with chocolate chips. It took a lot of tries to get the lemon brownie texture just right, but I’m so glad I finally did! For more of my best brownie recipes, check out my Mint Brownie Recipe, Pecan Pie Brownies, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, Slutty Brownies (Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies with Oreos), and Cream Cheese Brownies!
Why We Love This Recipe
The refreshing lemon flavor and sweet lemon glaze make lemon brownies a particularly good choice for warm weather months, but citrus season is actually during winter and honestly, they’re so delicious you’ll find yourself making them year-round. The key ingredient in this lemon brownie recipe is natural, real lemon flavor from freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest – no lemon extract in sight!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Salted Butter – Provides richness and moisture to the brownies, contributing to their fudgy texture. Vegetable Oil – Adds moisture and ensures the brownies stay tender. Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the brownies and balances the tartness of the lemon. Eggs – Eggs bind the ingredients together and contribute to the brownies’ structure, while the extra yolk adds richness and a more tender crumb. Lemon Zest – Provides intense lemon flavor that’s fresh and vibrant. Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds the tangy lemon flavor that is key to these brownies. Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the brownies. All-Purpose Flour – The base of the brownie batter, providing structure. Cornstarch – Helps to soften the flour’s proteins, resulting in a more tender texture. Baking Powder – A leavening agent that helps the brownies rise slightly, giving them a lighter texture than dense, fudgy chocolate brownies. Salt – Enhances all the flavors in the brownies and balances the sweetness. Powdered Sugar – Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that complements the tangy lemon flavor in the brownies.
How to Make the Best Lemon Brownies
Tips for Success
The quality of the lemons used will significantly impact the flavor of the brownies, so use fresh lemons for both the zest and juice to get the most vibrant lemony flavor. Meyer lemons work great if you have some on hand, or regular lemons are perfect too. Ensure that the eggs and butter are at room temperature before starting as this helps the ingredients mix more evenly, which makes for a smoother batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, making your brownies tough rather than tender, so mix the batter just until you can no longer see streaks of flour. If you prefer a more intense lemon flavor, feel free to add more lemon zest to both the batter and the glaze. Conversely, if you like a subtler lemon taste, you can reduce the zest slightly. It’s best to start checking the brownies a couple of minutes before the suggested baking time is up because ovens can vary, and look for signs of doneness—like a toothpick coming out clean or with a few crumbs—rather than relying solely on timing. You don’t want to overbake these or they will turn out more dry and with less of a fudgy texture. It’s tempting to rush into glazing and tasting, but allowing the brownies to cool completely will prevent the glaze from melting and ensure it sets properly. For neat, clean-cut brownie squares, chill the brownies first and use a sharp knife, cleaning it between cuts.
Substitutions and Variations
You can use unsalted butter instead of salted butter by adding an extra pinch of salt to the recipe. Any neutral-flavored oil, like canola or coconut oil, can be used instead of vegetable oil if preferred. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend that substitutes one-for-one with regular flour. For extra lemony lemon brownies, add a splash of lemon extract alongside the vanilla extract. Instead of this lemon version, you can make Lime Brownies by using fresh lime juice and lime zest. Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, or berries such as blueberries or raspberries, can add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your lemon brownies. Just fold them into the batter before baking. Incorporating ingredients like poppy seeds, almond extract, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the glaze can create exciting new flavors, so don’t be afraid to add your own twist to this recipe.
More Lemon Dessert Recipes
Traditional Lemon Bars Lemon Bundt Cake Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting Lemon Blueberry Bread Fresh Lemon Ice Cream Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
To make these delicious lemon brownies into a full-blown dessert for a party, serve them alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream – or try my Fresh Lemon Ice Cream recipe!
Glazed Lemon Cookies
Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
Lemon Meringue Pie Bars
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
