Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies Recipe
If you crave the bright zing of citrus and the dreamy texture of brownies, you are about to fall head over heels for fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies. These bars combine the chewy, gooey spirit of blondies with the fresh, tangy flavor of lemons, all draped in a glossy lemon glaze. Perfect for bake sales, tea parties, or simply treating yourself, this easy recipe will win over anyone who loves a lemon dessert with an irresistibly rich twist. Get ready to meet your new favorite sweet!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies is how every ingredient plays a starring role in flavor, color, or texture. Each is simple and easy to find, but together they transform into something breathtakingly delicious!
- Butter: Melting the butter gives our blondies their extra rich, moist texture — go with salted or unsalted depending on your taste.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness and that classic brownie chew; don’t skip it!
- Powdered sugar: Blends in easily to keep the crumb tender and also helps in the luscious glaze.
- Eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature for a fluffier batter and the perfect, dense crumb.
- Lemon zest: Adds robust lemon flavor and gorgeous flecks of yellow; be generous for extra zing.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed works best for bold, vibrant citrus notes in both batter and glaze.
- Vanilla extract: Brings subtle warmth and rounds out the tartness.
- Lemon extract: Gives that unmistakable lemony punch you can’t get from juice or zest alone.
- All-purpose flour: Sifted for lightness; use gluten-free flour if needed.
- Salt: Just a pinch makes all the sweet and tart flavors pop.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Use one without cornstarch for the cleanest, freshest finish.
- Lemon juice (for glaze): Whips up into a tangy, glossy frosting you’ll want to lick off the spoon.
- Extra lemon zest (optional for glaze): Sprinkling on top adds a burst of color and a bite of bright citrus.
How to Make Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350F. While it warms, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This crucial step ensures your fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies lift easily from the pan, with no sticking or breaking. The parchment overhang also makes for a quick (and Instagram-worthy) removal process every time.
Step 2: Mix the Buttery Lemon Base
In a medium to large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted (and cooled!) butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. You want everything to blend seamlessly, which creates the signature dense-yet-tender crumb in these lemony bars.
Step 3: Whisk in Flavor & Color
Add your eggs, vibrant lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and that all-important lemon extract. Whisk until the mixture becomes pale and creamy — this is your promise of maximum lemon flavor with every bite. If you have a citrus zester, make sure to catch all those essential oils as you zest for extra zing!
Step 4: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Gently fold the sifted all-purpose flour and salt into your wet mixture. Stir only until you no longer see streaks of flour; overmixing could make your blondies dense instead of fudgy. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it into every corner.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 16 to 17 minutes. These bars are meant to stay pale and chewy, so don’t wait for a golden brown top. The trick to chewy, fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies is to avoid overbaking!
Step 6: Cool Completely
Once baked, let the blondies cool all the way in the pan. Cutting too soon will ruin the texture — patience pays off tremendously here, I promise!
Step 7: Make That Dreamy Lemon Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice (plus more zest if you want extra pop). Aim for a thick but pourable glaze — you want it to set up nicely as it dries.
Step 8: Glaze and Slice
Pour the glaze over your fully cooled blondies, using a spatula to nudge it into every corner. Give it time to set and harden a bit, then lift out the whole slab and slice into tidy, tempting squares of fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies. Marvel at the shiny top and lovely yellow crumb!
How to Serve Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies
Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference. A dusting of extra lemon zest on top of your fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies adds both color and a little citrus bite, while delicate edible flowers or a swirl of white chocolate drizzle can make them positively party-worthy. Serve with a pinch of powdered sugar right before presenting for an extra-special look.
Side Dishes
Pair your lemon brownies with fresh seasonal berries — think strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries — for a fruity contrast. I also love them with softly whipped cream, lemon curd, or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. If you’re doing afternoon tea, these bars will be the star on a platter of shortbread, scones, and light tea sandwiches.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking them pyramid-style on a tiered tray to show off their shiny glaze. For a brunch buffet, cut into mini bars and arrange in cupcake liners. You can even slice your fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies into triangles for a cute twist at showers or picnics. For special occasions, wrap individual bars in parchment and tie with ribbon for a homemade gift!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 3 days, keeping their signature fudginess and bright flavor—honestly, they rarely last that long!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these bars. Just cut the cooled, glazed blondies, layer between snips of parchment in an airtight vessel, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature—no one will ever guess they weren’t made fresh that morning!
Reheating
If you love your lemon brownies a tad warm, pop a square in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. The glaze will soften and the interior will turn extra gooey. Lay a napkin over the top to keep any condensation from dampening that shiny lemon finish.
FAQs
Can I make these Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a good 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour substitute. The results are almost indistinguishable from the wheat version, so everyone can enjoy a slice of sunshine.
Why isn’t my glaze setting?
If your glaze is runny, you might need a little more powdered sugar, or the blondies could be a bit warm when glazing. Make sure everything is thoroughly cooled, and whisk in more sugar until you reach a thick consistency that holds its sheen on the surface.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Use a 9×13-inch pan and double every ingredient. Watch baking time closely; it may need a few extra minutes but the same pale, fudgy look is what you want.
Do I need to use fresh lemons?
For the very best flavor, fresh lemons make a difference both in zest and juice. Bottled juice or dried zest just can’t compare with the zing and perfume of fresh citrus.
Are these more like brownies or blondies?
It’s a joyful hybrid! Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies have the dense texture and moist crumb of a classic brownie, but a vanilla-laced, lemon-bright flavor and no chocolate in sight. They’re the best of both worlds for anyone who’s a fan of both treats!
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about bringing together rich, chewy blondies and the bold zest of lemons in these fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies. They’re the perfect sunny pick-me-up for any occasion, and truly as fun to bake as they are to eat. Try a batch and turn ordinary moments into something a little brighter and a lot more delicious!
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Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 9 blondies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These fudgy lemon blondies, also known as lemon brownies, are a delightful citrus twist on traditional blondies. With a bright lemon flavor and a soft, chewy texture, they are perfect for lemon lovers.
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- 1/2 cup butter (salted or unsalted, melted and cooled down)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs (at room temperature)
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 1 cup AP flour (sifted, for gluten-free read the notes)
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar (Without corn starch preferably)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix butter and sugars: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar.
- Add wet ingredients: Incorporate eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gently fold in flour and salt until just combined. Pour batter into pan.
- Bake: Bake for 16-17 minutes until set. Cool completely.
- Prepare glaze: Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Glaze: Spread glaze over cooled blondies and let it set.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your lemon blondies!
Notes
- For gluten-free blondies, use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use powdered sugar without corn starch for a better glaze texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Lemon Blondies, Lemon Brownies, Lemon Dessert, Fudgy Lemon Bars
