These easy lemon blondies or lemon brownies have the texture of a brownie but the flavor of a lemon bar and a lemon cookie mashed up together. They are so easy to throw together, taste incredible, and will brighten up any dessert table!
If you love lemon, you will absolutely adore these Chilled Lemon Bar Cookies – Crumbl Copycat Recipe, Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade Copycat Recipe, CRUMBL lemon poppy seed cookies with lemon curd filling, and even The Best Moist Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake.
This is the best lemon blondies or lemon brownie recipe EVER!
I took a break from cookies for a few days but instead made these lemon blondie bars because my sister loves anything lemon.
They are super soft and fudgy but instead of having chocolate in everybite, you’ll get this insanely fresh kick of lemon both in the blondie layer as well as in the glaze layer.
Why do you need to make this recipe!
- These lemon brownies are super fresh, moist, and taste like spring and summer.
- They are extremely easy to make, just mix, bake, glaze, and enjoy.
- No need for multiple bowls, this recipe is a one-bowl blondie recipe!
- These lemon blondies store very well and can be made ahead of time too.
- This lemon dessert is perfect to take with you to BBQs, picnics, or even birthday parties, everyone will love them!
They will quickly become your favorite lemon dessert!
Ingredients for this lemon brownie recipe.
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Butter- You can use salted or unsalted butter.
- Granulated & Powdered sugar – This recipe uses a mixture of sugars to get the bar texture to be just right. Make sure to use powdered sugar that doesn’t have corn starch to avoid that bad aftertaste.
- Eggs– The eggs are the binding agent of this recipe.
- Vanilla extract– The vanilla extract adds an extra depth of flavor to these blondies.
- Lemon extract– Adding lemon extract allows us to increase the lemon flavors in our bars.
- Lemon juice & Lemon zest– The lemon juice and lemon zest will both be added to the brownie layer to kick up the lemon flavor up a notch.
- Flour– Use AP flour for this recipe.
- Salt– Always add a little salt to your baked goods to balance out the sweetness of your recipe.
Why is there no baking soda or baking powder in these lemon blondies?
This recipe doesn’t use any leavening agents because we want our bars to be extra moist, thick, and fudgy. If you’re more of a cakey brownie/blondie type of person you can add ¼ teaspoon of baking powder.
How to make lemon blondies at home?
This is how you can make these blondies at home. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Whisk the melted butter and sugars together.
- Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined.
- Sift in the flour and salt and mix to combine.
- Pour in an 8×8 baking pan and bake.
- Let the bars cool down completely before topping them with the glaze.
- Set your lemon brownies aside so that the glaze can fully set before slicing into them and enjoying.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
How to store lemon brownies?
These lemon brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
You can also keep them in the fridge for a bit longer.
Freezing instructions
To freeze these, wrap the whole thing before slicing in plastic wrap then place it in an airtight plastic container and freeze for up to 2 months.
If at all possible, don’t glaze these lemon blondies until you thaw them so that the glaze doesn’t get too wet when the bars are thawing. If you can’t do that, it’s all good the brownies will still taste super good but the glaze might be more on the wet side.
Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for a few hours.
Can I double this lemon blondies recipe?
Yes! All you have to do is hit the x2 in the recipe card to get the right measurements and bake it in a 9×13′ pan! Just know that you will have to bake these blondies for a tad bit longer.
Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes! You can use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF flour or even King Arthur flour 1:1 GF flour.
Can these lemon brownies be made ahead of time?
Yes! Bake them, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for up to 7 days. Once you’re ready to serve them, top them with the glaze, let it set, slice, and serve.
Can these citrus brownies be made with orange or lime instead of lemon?
Absolutely! You can play around with your favorite citrus fruit and create your perfect dessert. It might be a bit harder to find extracts and flavorings of other citrus fruits but nothing you can’t find online!
Lemon blondies recipe
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Fudgy lemon blondies- Lemon brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter salted or unsalted, melted and cooled down
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 cup AP flour sifted, for gluten-free read the notes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the lemon glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar Without corn starch preferably to avoid that weird aftertaste.
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F, then line an 8×8 baking pan with parchement paper and set aside.
- In a medium/large bowl whisk the cooled down melted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together.
- Add in the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract, and mix to combine.
- Gently fold in the flour and salt until the flour mixture disappears. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spread the lemon blondie batter evenly, and bake for 16-17 minutes. The blondies won't look golden brown.
- Let the lemon blondies cool down fully before topping it with the glaze
Make the lmon glaze
- In a small/medium bowl whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice until a thick pourable glaze forms.
- Pour the glaze on top of the cooled-down blondies, spread it all over the top, and let it set and harden before slicing it into your lemon dessert!
Notes
How to store lemon brownies?
These lemon brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also keep them in the fridge for a bit longer.Glaze tip
Use powdered sugar that doesn’t have any cornstarch in it to avoid that weird aftertaste. Gluten free option? If you want to make these lemon brownies gluten-free, use King Arthur flour 1:1 GF flour or Bobs’ Red Mill 1:1 GF flour!Nutrition
Thank you for making it all the way down here 🙂
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Oryan
Delicious and fresh and very easy to make. Personally I reversed the dosages for the lemon and vanilla extract so that we smell more lemon.
Chahinez
This sounds wonderful!
Michelle O
Delicious!
Chahinez
Thanks!
Mae
Super simple, easy to make and very delicious!
Chahinez
Thank you so much!
Alice
Great recipe!! I bake a lot and this recipe will definitely be in my rotation!! Thanks!
Chahinez
This is great to hear! Thank you Alice!
Holly
I just made this to bring to work. I doubled the recipe and baked in a 9×13 pan like you suggested. I’m not bringing them until tomorrow so I haven’t poured glaze on yet but I did try a little piece and if they taste as amazing unglazed as they do glazed I think it’s a win! It’s definitely a keeper! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Chahinez
You’re so welcome Holly!
Marissa
So yummy and easy to make! Thanks for sharing!!
Chahinez
You’re welcome!
Char
Could this be baked in a loaf pan instead? If so, for how long?
Chahinez
I would not recommend baking these bars in a loaf pan because it would be too dense.
Jess
This was a nice refreshing dessert. Such a nice change from anything too sweet. Really enjoyed it!
Chahinez
Thank you so much Jess!
Rana
Can I double the recipe for a 13×9?
Chahinez
Yes! Just bake for a few minutes longer.
Fiorella
Is the lemon extract absolutely necessary?
I don’t have it handy and I wanted to do this for today’s afternoon.
Chahinez
It is necessary to bring that lemon flavor our even more. You can also try adding a little extra lemon zest instead.
Sarah
I am in love with these Lemon Blondies! I’ve made them three times already this week and I’m making them again for a BBQ this weekend! So quick to whip up and taste devine.
Chahinez
YESS! So amazing! Enjoy!
Samantha
Can I swap oil for butter to make them dairy free?
Chahinez
I unfortunately have never tried it wit this substitution so I can’t ensure that the recipe will turn out the same.
Ashlee
Holy moly. The Mecca of lemon. Have made these multiple times and people rave about how good they are. So dense and moist. Great lemon flavor. I literally can’t stop eating them!
Chahinez
Best comment ever!! Thank you!
Fe Romero
These were so amazing & lemony! All of my coworkers & family loved them! Per my coworkers words “ they shocked my tastebuds”🤣. Definitely a favorite!
Chahinez
YAY! Enjoy!
NDB
I made this recipe utilizing all plant-based ingredients. I substituted Just Egg for the eggs, Oat Flour Blend for the AP flour, Raw Organic Cane Sugar Crystals for the granulated sugar & Organic Confectioner for regular confectioner sugar. By using the oat flour it gave it a little nutty lemon flavor however still very delicious. Instead of making bars I utilized my Mini Bundt Cake Maker. The glaze was phenomenal. I would definitely make again!! Thanks for sharing!!
Chahinez
Thank you so much for sharing.
Mitra
Made these last night and my fiancé and I loved them! The texture reminds me of cosmic brownies (without the chocolate) The lemon flavor is subtle so the overall Blondie flavor still comes through. I added honey to my glaze which was a yummy addition. They’re perfect for spring or summer as a light dessert. Will definitely be making these again!
Chahinez
YESS!! Best comment ever!
Romina
Absolutely loved these! Super refreshing and perfectly tart.
Chahinez
YAY! Enjoy Romina!
Haley H
I had to cook mine closer to 20 mins but that might just be my crappy ovens fault. lol Great recipe and loved the pictures they are so helpful. The final product was yummy 💕🍋
Chahinez
Glad to hear they came out okay in the end Haley!
Kasey
Can I sub the ap flour for almond or oat flour, or would that change the texture too much.
Chahinez
I have never tried it with a flour substitute but it might change it a bit too much.
Daphna
Curious if the lemon extract gives the brownies an artificial taste?
Chahinez
I didn’t find them to have an artificial flavor. You can use 1/2 the amount if you’re extra sensitive and assess for next time.
jb
What if we dont have lemon extract
Chahinez
Add extra lemon zest.
Alex
Absolutely delicious! Big hit. Thank you ♥️
Chahinez
So glad to hear you loved these!