Lemon Brownies are my new favorite dessert. Topped with a delicious lemon glaze, they are just the right mix of fresh lemon and sweetness. Here is not one, but two ways to make this delicious treat.
We’ve made some other great lemon recipes like Lemon Blueberry Donuts, Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes and Lemon Sweet Rolls. Go check those out next!
As much as I am crazy for chocolate, I do love finding new ways to bake without that classic ingredient. It’s fun to spice it up and try something new! Lemon is a fun way to do that.
Why Call These Lemon Brownies?
These lemon bars have more of a brownie texture: they’re moist and dense. This recipe is going to look a lot like your usual brownie recipe, but of course no cocoa or chocolate chips. We. They’re both delicious! We also included an easier version using a cake mix for when you are in a hurry. Both are delicious!
Ingredients for Homemade Brownies
Butter – unsalted and softened.
Sugar – every good dessert needs it.
Lemon Zest – see about for notes on zesting.
Fresh Lemon Juice – straight from a lemon has the best flavor.
Flour – all purpose.
Baking Soda– to make the mixture rise.
Eggs– this will bind the ingredients together.
Lemon Zest
If you’re new to lemon zesting, it is easiest to use the tool made for this job: a lemon zester. (Genius name, right?) But if you don’t have one and are in a pinch a veggie peeler will work. Make sure you wash your lemon before.
Lemon Brownies Glaze
This is the most yummy part of all – the glaze! All you need is three ingredients: lemon zest, lemon juice and powdered sugar. It’s very sweet and a bit tangy at the same time.
How To Make Homemade Lemon Brownies
- Mix together the dry ingredients and wet ingredients (minus the egg) separately.
- Combine the two mixtures then add one egg at a time.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes and let it cool.
- Make the glaze and pour over the cooled brownies.
Ingredients for Lemon Cake Mix Brownies
- Yellow Cake Mix
- Lemon Instant Pudding
- Eggs
- Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest
How To Make Lemon Cake Mix Brownies
- Mix all five ingredients together in a bowl.
- Pour into an 8×8 baking dish and bake for 22-24 minutes.
- Make the glaze and pour over the cooled brownies.
You’re going to adore these lemon brownies recipes, and all your friends will be begging for the recipe!
Other Lemon Desserts You Will Love
Pink Lemonade Cheesecake Bites
Lemon Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Lemon Glaze Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons lemon zest
Cake Mix Version
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces box yellow cake mix
- 1 box lemon pudding
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Directions for Homemade
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Using a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time until combined.
- Gradually beat in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Pour batter into the baking pan and bake in the oven for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Make sure to not over bake.
- Allow to completely cool on the counter.
Lemon Glaze
- Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until combined.
- Pour the glaze over the lemon bars and spread evenly.
- Allow to harden overnight before enjoying!
Directions for Cake Mix
- Line an 8” square baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray so that the brownies lift out easily.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- With a hand mixer, combine the cake mix, pudding, lemon juice, eggs, and lemon zest in a medium sized mixing bowl. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted in the center and come out clean or with only crumbs (no wet batter). Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Proceed as directed above for glaze.
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265 comments on “Lemon Brownies”
Delicious recipe! Thank you for posting this. Nice and moist, just the way I like.
It sounds so delicious, I want to make it for Easter dessert!
LOOKS DELICIOUS I LOVE THINGS MADE WITH LEMON <3
Is it self rising flour or plain?
all-purpose
This recipe looks so yummy, I can’t wait to try it. My husband loves anything lemon & his birthday is coming up so I think this would be a great surprise ! I will let you know how it turns out !
They are in the oven as I type this, but is there anything I should be concerned with since I used shortening because I have not parchment?
Have to try these, although never made any brownies before
I made this today! Excellent recipe. Easy and oh-so-delicious! Perfect for an Easter dessert! Thanks for sharing!
If I chose not to use lemon zest, what would that do? Would I need to adjust the recipe? I’m not really a fan of zest.
It’s okay to leave out the zest.
If I was leaving out the zest, I’d use lemon oil and/or lemon extract.
Do you remember the candy called “LemonHeads”? I would crush up some of that candy really finely and use that to replace the zest. If you wanted some other flavors you probably could use root beer candy or peppermint candy. I can sit here and think of all kinds of possibilities for these brownies. Almond oil/extract…….
I will be making these today can’t wait. X
Fun yummy recipes. Lemon brownies are my favorite, but MUST be tart, not pretty yellow and sweet.
Oh, yum!!! I love lemon and adore brownies. Thank you.
“Allow to harden overnight.” Very funny.
These were yummy
I am used to ounces and grams can you tell me what C stands for? Thanks.
cups
C=cups
C is for cups which is 8 ounces. Hope that helps
Shouldn’t these be called ‘blondies’?
Maybe lemonade!
Autocorrect! I actually wrote “ lemonies”.
No. Blondies are usually a cookie bar with chocolate chips, similar to chocolate chip cookies. Could make blondies without the choc. chips, I imagine.
Leave overnight before eating? Are you kidding me? Not in this house!
These look great! Do they have to set overnight or can you freeze to expedite the process?
Do you have any hints, shortcuts on how to cut/use the parchment paper?
Hi Candee…the actually sell sheets now, but you can just easily cut with kitchen scissors.
For future use, I put the parchment paper under the pan I’m using and mark it with marker, cut and put into pan. For brownie pans I put in parchment and cut the corners inward so it ticks in nice and neat.
Looks awesome. Does this need to be kept refrigerated?
no…it’s fine at room temp.
AP or self rising flour
all purpose
How delicious looking! But why and how must you wait overnight!? I would want to eat once cool enough to frost. Might I place in the freezer a short time to set?