Homemade Lemon Brownies
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This luscious Homemade Lemon Brownies recipe boasts a delightful and unexpected twist on the classic chocolate treat. From their tangy and bright flavor to their melt-in-your-mouth texture, these lemon brownies are sure to please with an option to have a sweet & zesty lemony glaze on top!
More Lemon? Super Soft Lemon Glazed Sugar Cookies, Lemon Cream Cheese Blondies, Lemon Glazed Lemon Donuts and these Lemon White Chocolate Chip Cookies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to lemon dessert recipes!
Get ready to fall in love with these luscious and light homemade lemon brownies. From their tangy flavor to their melt-in-your-mouth texture, these lemon brownies rock! These homemade lemon brownies are a mouth-watering treat that will leave your taste buds begging for more!
I often find myself obsessed with brownies, like many of you and sometimes, it’s fun to put a fun spin on them with other flavors! Like these White Chocolate Brownies, these Super Easy Strawberry Brownies and these Brown Sugar Brownie Bars and now these lemon brownies! Woohoo!
What I Love About These Lemon Brownies
- Easy to make and super delicious using simple ingredients.
- Tangy fresh lemon juice and lemon zest really amps the lemon flavor up in these delicious treats!
- Bake the recipe and then leave them as is or top them with a dusting of powdered sugar or make this easy lemon glaze, that I think really takes these lemon brownies over the moon!
- Perfect spring or summer dessert for parties, holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and of course, when you’ve got an abundance of lemons on hand or the most obvious reason, you’re craving lemon!
- Make these sugar-free easily, just by switching out the sugars with healthy sugar substitutes like Lakanto monk fruit sugar or Swerve or whatever you like!
Ingredients You Need
Lemon Brownies RECIPE with sugar free option
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar, (will use ¼ cup to make lemon zested sugar) (can make sugar free with healthy sugar substitutes.)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 large eggs, room temperature or for fudgier brownies, use only 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, juice from 2 lemons
Lemon Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar (can make sugar free with healthy powdered sugar substitutes.)
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cream or milk of choice
- finely grated zest of ½ lemon
Instructions How to Make Homemade Lemon Brownies
Lemon Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Light spray an 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Layer pan with parchment paper for easy removal and repeat with light spray of non-stick cooking spray.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the lemon zest with ¼ cup of the granulated sugar and place in a food processor and give it a few pulses until the sugar is bright yellow and the zest is broken down into specks. Other options: You can also work the two together with your fingers until the zest is broken down and the sugar is bright yellow or use a mortar/pestle.
- To make the batter, mix butter, lemon sugar, and white sugar in a big bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat them until they become light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each one on medium speed. Pour in the vanilla extract and lemon juice and mix them together on low. Use a rubber spatula to gently mix in the dry ingredients until there are no more lumps of flour. Don’t mix too much.
- Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Test brownies with a toothpick inserted into the center, it should come out with no wet batter. Moist crumbs are okay. Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack. They can be iced while still a little warm with an offset spatula, but will be much easier to cut when cooled.
lemon glaze
- In a bowl, mix together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Keep adding more lemon juice or sugar until you get the consistency you want. Pour the glaze over the brownies. Use a spatula or spoon to spread it evenly. Let the brownies sit for a bit, then cut and serve.
Storing Lemon Brownies
- Brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to five days in an airtight container or in the fridge. Make sure to keep them covered so they don’t dry out.
- Brownies should be completely cool before storing, especially when you have the glaze on the tops.
Brownie Tips
- Don’t over-bake brownies for a moist and chewy lemon brownie texture.
- Best to use room temperature eggs and room temperature butter, that way the mixture will blend better.
- Make sure not to overmix the lemon brownie batter after you add the flour, as this will change the texture of your brownies giving you a more cake-like brownie and could also cause the brownies to sink.
- For fudgy brownies: Try using 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk and take these out of the oven when the toothpick turns up streaks of batter and a few moist crumbs.
- For cake-like brownies: Use 3 large eggs and bake them until you see just a few moist crumbs.
Other Variations
- Want to change the citrus flavor to orange or lime? Just replace with the same measurements using orange juice or lime juice!
- Add some white chocolate chips! Lemon and white chocolate are so good together!
More brownie recipes? You’ll love all of these brownies!
In conclusion, lemon brownies are a delicious and unique dessert option that embody the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors. From their simple yet flavorful ingredients to their ease of preparation, these treats are a must-try for any dessert lover.
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemon brownies. So why not give them a try and add a little zest to your baking repertoire and make it a party with some delicious, citrusy lemon brownies.
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More Desserts!
- Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie!
- Easy Pavlova Recipe
- Lemon Coconut Cream Cheese Dessert
- Easy Blueberry Banana Bread
- 4 Ingredient No Bake Lemon Pie
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
- Super Fluffy Lemon Pudding Cake
Homemade Lemon Brownies
Ingredients
Homemade Lemon Brownies with Sugar-Free Option
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 lemons zested
- 1 cup granulated sugar (will use ¼ cup to make lemon zested sugar) (can make sugar free with healthy sugar substitutes.)
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 3 large eggs room temperature or for fudgier brownies, use only 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice juice from 2 lemons
LEMON GLAZE
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar can make sugar free with healthy powdered sugar substitutes.
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cream or milk of choice
- finely grated zest of ½ lemon
Instructions
LEMON BROWNIES
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Light spray a 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Layer pan with parchment paper for easy removal and repeat with light spray of non-stick cooking spray.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the lemon zest with ¼ cup of the granulated sugar and place in a food processor and give it a few pulses until the sugar is bright yellow and the zest is broken down into specks. Other options: You can also work the two together with your fingers until the zest is broken down and the sugar is bright yellow or use a mortar/pestle.
- To make the batter, mix butter, lemon sugar, and white sugar in a big bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat them until they become light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each one. Pour in the vanilla extract and lemon juice and mix them together on low. Use a rubber spatula to gently mix in the dry ingredients until there are no more lumps of flour. Don't mix too much.
- Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Test brownies with a toothpick inserted into the center, it should come out with no wet batter. Moist crumbs are okay. Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack. They can be iced while still a little warm, but they're easier to cut when cooled.
LEMON GLAZE
- In a bowl, mix together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Keep adding more lemon juice or sugar until you get the consistency you want. Pour the glaze over the brownies. add some lemon zest. Use a spatula or spoon to spread it evenly. Let the brownies sit for a bit, then cut and serve.
Video
Recipe from Saving Room For Dessert