Lemony deliciousness meets yummy brownies in this Lemon Brownies recipe. It’s best of both worlds with their powerful lemon flavor & moist brownie texture!
I’ve always loved the fresh, tangy taste of lemons, and brownies are at the very top of my favorite sweet treats -so, what could be more natural than putting the two together into Lemon Brownies! This is simple, from scratch recipe for Lemon Brownies Paula Deen would be proud of. They’re off the charts lemony and have that dense brownie texture. Absolutely perfect! It’s no wonder Lemon Brownies Youtube popularity is through the roof!
Like the Lemon Brownies Divas can Cook puts out, this recipe has a thick layer of sweet, lemony glaze. It’s a lot like the glaze for my quick and easy Lemon Zucchini Bread. Of course, I’ve got more lemony treats! My Lemon Buttermilk Sheet Cake feeds a crowd and is super simple! I think my Lemon Coconut Bars have a powerful lemon flavor and a hint of the tropics with the coconut. Now just in case you want an out of this world brownie experience, but more of the traditional chocolate variety, my Cosmic Brownies are chewy, indulgent deliciousness just like the Little Debbie’s that inspired them!
How To Make Lemon Brownies:
To make these Lemon Brownies cake mix isn’t needed. This recipe is incredibly simple and is decadently delicious. Plus, you can proudly claim you made them from scratch! Take note- these need to rest overnight, so plan ahead!
Begin by mixing the dry ingredients with the butter until well combined. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and zest and beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into your prepared pan and bake. Allow the brownies to cool completely. Make the glaze by combining the lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar. Spread on the brownies.
And now comes the tough part! Cover tightly and put them in the fridge. My Gonna Want Seconds Lemon Brownies are best if they sit in the fridge overnight. It lets the texture and flavors develop, and I promise- it’s worth the wait!
Making ahead of time:
These brownies need to rest for at least 12 hours before they get to their optimal texture and flavor, so they are meant to be made ahead of time. If you need to make them even more in advance, they will keep well in the fridge for a couple of days or consider freezing them (see instructions below).
How To Freeze These Lemon Bars
Freezing Lemon Bars increases their shelf life to about 1-2 months- which sounds like a great reason to make a double batch! To freeze this recipe or my fabulous Lemon Bars, allow them to set up completely in the fridge. Then, cut into squares and wrap the individual squares in cling wrap. Put the wrapped squares in a large ziplock bag and pop them in the freezer. They’re ready for a quick snack on the go or a mid-week dessert!
Recipe Notes for Lemon Brownies
Zesting Lemons- Whether you are making Meyer Lemon Brownies or using regular lemons, you’ll want to leverage the powerful taste of the zest. That colorful outer peel is packed with yumminess. Use a Microplaner to make your life easy. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife will do. Just stay out of the bitter, white pith layer below the zest!
Don’t skimp on the zest, it’s the major flavor contributor. The zest of any citrus contains essential oils that concentrate flavor. The flavor is, of course, present in the juice of the fruit, simply not in as concentrated of a form. This recipe capitalizes on that and uses a generous amount of lemon zest along with a more minor amount of lemon juice.
Juice- Fresh is Best!- You’re going to need around 4 lemons, depending on their size. As with the recipe Lemon Brownies I am Baker puts out, the focus is on the lemony flavor, and that comes from fresh juice and zest. The bottled stuff won’t get you the same result.
Glaze- I like the glaze nice and thick- almost frosting-like- for my Lemon Brownies. However, if you prefer a thinner glaze like Skinny Lemon Brownies, you can add more juice or a bit of water. Remember to cool the brownies completely before you pour the glaze on. If the brownies are too warm, the glaze will melt and just run off the edges of the brownies down into the pan.
I used my handheld electric mixer to make the glaze. I like to keep it as thick as possible. Mixing it by hand is far too much of a chore for me. Feel free to hand mix it if you need a good arm workout.
To keep the glaze thick, I added 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the powdered sugar and mixed it well. Then I add more lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time until the glaze was thick but spreadable.
I poured it in the center of the completely cooled brownies, then I used my small offset spatula to spread it evenly over the top. This little spatula is one of my favorite kitchen tools. I use it for almost everything and it costs less than 4 bucks! Works like a charm. Look at how thick and gorgeous that glaze is on the cut brownies!
Ingredients: If you read through the ingredients list for this recipe, you will notice that it does not call for baking powder or baking soda. This is not a mistake or an error of omission. These brownies bake up to be fairly close to the same thickness as they are when raw, uncooked batter or just a smidge thicker
Mixing: The recipe calls for the batter to be beaten on medium with a stand up electric mixer for a full 2 minutes. This does add a little bit of volume to the finished dish and makes the batter lusciously creamy. Don’t skip this step!
Pan: I use my Nonstick 8X8 Baking Pan to bake these brownies. I like to make an aluminum sling for the pan for easy removal once the brownies are baked.
To do this, all you need to do is line the pan with aluminum foil, overhanging two opposing sides with an extra 2 inches of foil. The overhang doubles as handles for easy lift out. With the sling, I don’t need to worry about the Lemon Brownies sticking if I keep them in the pan long after they’re cooled and glazed. They’re easy to pop out of the pan in one piece and cut into individual bars without marring the nonstick pan.
If you want to skip this step, go ahead and just grease and flour your baking pan.
Bake Time: Don’t over bake the brownies, or like any brownie, they will be dry.I baked mine for 20 minutes until the edges just started to get slightly golden.
Overnight Improves Texture/Flavor: Like many other brownies and bar cookie recipes, I like these bars a lot more the day after they’re baked. I find that the texture improves significantly, and the Lemon Brownies are moister the second day. The wonderful, intense, natural, lemony flavor seems to mellow and intensify all at the same time!
Lemon Brownies Recipe
I fell in love with this Lemon Brownies recipe at first bite, and I bet you will too! Make your mouth happy and whip up a pan of them today!
Lemon Brownies
Ingredients
Lemon Brownies:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Glaze:
- 1 round cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2-3 teaspoons lemon zest
Instructions
- Line an 8X8 inch baking dish with aluminum foil, overhanging the edges 2 inches on two opposing sides. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In the bowl of a stand-up mixer, add the flour, sugar, salt, and butter and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, add the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice and mix until well combined. Add this egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and using an offset spatula, smooth out the top of the batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden or a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool the brownies completely in the pan set on a wire baking rack before applying the glaze.
- Make the glaze by sifting the powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice to powdered sugar and using a hand-held electric mixer, beat until the juice is completely combined. Add more lemon juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze reaches a thick but just spreadable consistency. Pour glaze onto the center of the completely cooled Lemon Brownies and use an offset spatula to spread and cover the surface. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2-3 teaspoons of lemon zest. I recommend refrigerating overnight, then removing from the pan, and cutting into bars.
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More Brownie Recipes:
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
- German Chocolate Brownies
- Brookie Bars
- Red Velvet Brownies
More Lemon Desserts…
Source: Rita Recipes
I made it a couple times now! Me and my friends love it!
Thank you, Daniel! 🙂
Hi Kathleen, I am looking for a Meyer Lemon Brownie Brittle like Sheila G’s. Ever tried them? Looking for a copy cat recipe to try at home. They are like a brownie brittle, crunchy and crisp but made from Meyer Lemon very yummy! Please let me know if any ideas. Thanks.
Hi Barbara. I’m sorry but I have not made a Meyer Lemon version. I do have the a wonderful and easy copy cat recipe of the brownie brittle. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Is there an adjustment needed for high altitude baking?
Hi Kay! I’m so sorry I have no experience converting recipes for high altitude. I’m at sea level. Wish I could be more helpful!
Thank you for responding. I ended up experimenting..I’m at 6500 ft and I added one (1) extra TBSP of flour and (1) extra tsp of lemon juice then added 3 mins to cooking time. No changes to the glaze recipe. They turned out great!!!
So happy to hear that KayLynn! Thanks for sharing that with us <3
Looks beautiful and delicious! I do some prep ahead meals but not that many. I think this is very worthwhile and nice to know you always have a meal on hand!
Thank you so much, Rose! <3 Hope you like it!
I’m not understanding the purpose of lining the pan with aluminum foil?
Hi! So you can easily pull them out of the pan and cut them.
So freaking good! My new fav👏🏻
I’m so happy to hear that Breccia! We’d love you to rate the recipe if you get a chance <3
I’m so happy to hear that Breccia! We’d love for you to rate the recipe if you get a chance <3
Just made these. So glad I reread the comments and found that these do not bake solid like a box cake brownie. The middle of mine seemed really soupy so I baked for about 27 mins. Anxious to glaze them when cool and give them a chill in the ice box before serving to my sweetie. I do believe we have a gallon of very acomodating ice cream
Can you use splenda in place of sugar?
Hi Susan. I’m sure you can but I don’t bake with Slenda so, I’m sorry but I can’t really help.
I have made these three times and they are my favourite!!
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Casey, I’m so glad you like them 🙂
🙂
Can i use oil instead of butter?
If yes, how much?
Hi Sarah. Gosh. I’m not sure. I haven’t tried it. I’m sorry I can’t be more help 🙂
I just made these for dessert for our Sunday night dinner. They were amazing!!! I substituted coconut oil for butter and they turned out awesome. I also baked them in cupcake pan so they are more individualized. They are so yummy and I think I found a new family favorite dessert.
Hi NaTasha. Wow, your Lemon Brownies sound amazing! Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
i am in the process of making this but when do you pour the glaze of the Browne when they are hot or cold?
Hi Kaitlyn. I just clarified the instructions. Apply the glaze to the completely cooled brownies 🙂
Brownies are my favorite but I’ve never had a lemon brownie. Have to try these!
I hope you enjoy them, Christin!
I love anything lemon. I love brownies too. Can’t wait to make these! Would whole wheat flour be a problem in these?
Hi Janet. Gosh I’m not sure. I haven’t tried it. Let me know if you try it 🙂
I just tried a recipe for zucchini bread that called for whole wheat pastry flour…it came out perfectly…I say give it a try..
Thanks Don!