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.
Last Step:
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265 comments on “Lemon Brownies”
These were yum! Was a pretty thick “batter”, but I just squished it in the pan and they came out fine. The glaze makes’em!
looks great will deffinately make the lemon cakes
Made this w/ cake mix … was way too thick… will use 9×13 pan next and I think it will be great.
Want to add an extra zing? I used 5+ drops of Lemon essential oil in both the brownie and glaze without changing anything else in the recipe. OMG! The flavor is to die for! It’s not too much, it just peaks the lemon to a new level! These are by far the most requested treat next to my cinnamon rolls and PB bars!
Essential oil or lemon extract?
These were delicious. The only thing I may change is to double the topping so it’s a little thicker. Very yummy!!!
This recipe was amazing! SO delicious. I wasn’t in the mood to get 4 tablespoons worth of lemon zest so I used 1 tablespoon of lemon extract and it worked well. Zest definitely would have been fresher but this worked in a pinch 🙂 10/10 will make again.
How well do these freeze?
These will freeze well, but always better fresh. Wrap, preferably uncut, in plastic wrap and then in foil.
Would you store these in the refrigerator?
Hey Jacqueline, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a few days or you can also place them in the fridge for up to four or five days.
Don’t worry about storing them, they don’t last that long! They are so addicting!
Made these last week for my lemon loving husband, and they were a hit! I did add more lemon juice to the glaze, but do not skip it – makes the perfect sweet topping.
My family’s favorite! Found out I can easily make these gluten free for my granddaughter with gluten intolerance by simply using gluten free flour. These are SO good. Thank you for this awesome recipe!
I don’t know what I did wrong it taste good but like a cake I made the scratch version but used better batter gluten free flour just all purpose kind. It came out way more like a cake than a brownie. I really wanted that chewy brownie taste like your picture shows. Mine are much thicker I used a 9×13 pan. Again taste amazing just not brownie what can I do to adjust toward a brownie texture. What makes a brownie brownie lol. Thanks for help love lemon. I made a fresh lemon curd. Then made a lemon curd cream cheese frosting with that.
Love anything with lemon.
These are not brownies! Lemon Bars, yes. Brownies, NO!
My dessert addiction is smiling. Definately going to save this 1.
So delicious! Looking forward to making them again and again
I can always plan for your recipes to come out perfectly. Thank you so much.
I enjoyed reading your writings and I have benefited a lot from your words
I make these gluten free and can eat the whole pan by myself, if the rest of the fam would allow it that is. 😉
Especially delicious with the lemon glaze.
What did you do to make them gluten free?
Love your recipes but wish you had nutrition chart included. Husbands on low carb diet but have an occasional cheat.
My kids LOVE these!! But we all agree that the texture is more like a cake. But an extremely moist cake. This is a keeper❤️