Lemon Brownies

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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.

Lemon Brownies

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 Brownies Stacked

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 Zest

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

  1. Mix together the dry ingredients and wet ingredients (minus the egg) separately.
  2. Combine the two mixtures then add one egg at a time.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes and let it cool.
  4. 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

  1. Mix all five ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Pour into an 8×8 baking dish and bake for 22-24 minutes.
  3. 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!

Lemon Brownie Bars with a Bite taken out

Other Lemon Desserts You Will Love

Homemade Lemon Cake

Pink Lemonade Cheesecake Bites

Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon Blossoms

Magic Lemon Cobbler

Lemon Brownies Feature
4.97 from 202 votes

Lemon Brownies

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.
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 23 minutes
Total: 33 minutes

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.

    Last Step:

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    Nutrition

    Serving: 12g | Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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    265 comments on “Lemon Brownies”

      1. I baked them in a 9×13 and had the right amount of filling. I would recommend checking after latest 20 minutes. I baked mine for 23 at a slightly lower temperature and it still turned out more like a lemon cake than brownie.

      1. Yes..just hover over the photo that you want to pin and a Pinterest button will show

    1. These were delicious! I forgot to set the timer when I put them in the oven and they slightly over baked. But it still came out more like a cake than a brownie. So it was still delicious! Next time I make it I’ll make sure and set the timer for gooey goodness! 

    2. 5 stars
      These are so easy to make! Very very delicious!!! I’m looking forward to making more of your recipes.

    3. 4 stars
      Extremely tasty, and so easy!  The only tweak I would be the second time around, would be to skip the parchment paper, unless you’re only using it on the bottom of the pan.  Mine turned out to be misshapen in the pan, due to the stiffness of the paper not allowing the batter to spread evenly during the baking process. I will use a light cooking spray with a very light dusting of flour, instead.  Otherwise, an outstanding recipe!

    4. Looks delish and will make this weekend. I also want to share this recipe via email but can’t find the email icon -thanks

      1. I’m going to use 1 c. sugar. It has the glaze so I think 1 and 1/2 cups sugar is too much.

    5. Justine johnson

      5 stars
      Hi is the weights for flour, sugar and butter done in cups? What would it Be in ounces or grams please xx

    6. Karla Rivera Millán

      When you said, 1C, mean one cup?. I’m in Spain and in Europe the measurement are little different. Thanks, I’m anxious to do the lemon brownie. Soubds delicious

    7. I made these over the weekend and used a “brownie” baking pan so each square would be an end piece, so to speak. My mixture didn’t yield a chewy delight. So, I called them Lemon Squares. I plan to try this recipe again and will use my 9*13 baking dish. Hopefully, I will get some more, chewier consistency with the next batch. All and all, my family loved the freshness of the lemon throughout the “Lemon Squares” as it was a pleasant twist to traditional chocolate brownies. Thanks for sharing!

    8. I made these for my wife she loved them.

      I do wonder if it is possible to incorporate blueberries in it? Could I just add them to the mix as we bake it? Has anyone tried this?

    9. I wanted to skip the glaze so topped with toasted coconut. Good idea but the outcome was not enough lemon by a long shot. Will make again using lots more lemon zest and maybe a little extract. Texture was good but not as dense as the pictures look. 

      1. Your comments are spot on – “texture was good but not as dense as the picture…”