Easy Lemon Blondies Recipe- Lemon Brownies

This is the best lemon blondies or lemon brownie recipe EVER! 

Unlike chocolate brownies, these easy lemon brownies are made using fresh lemon juice to really brighten up your spring baking. The simple ingredients used in this recipe make it even more attainable, plus this sweet treat can be made for all your lemon lovers friends, and family members to really brighten their day 🙂

They are super soft and fudgy but instead of having chocolate in every bite, you’ll get this wonderful fresh kick of lemon both in the blondie layer as well as in the sweet glaze layer. 

Whether you are making these chewy lemon brownies as the perfect summer citrus dessert or you just want a little sunshine in your kitchen, I definitely recommend giving these a try and letting me know your thoughts in the comments. 

Why do you need to make this recipe?

• These lemon brownies are super fresh, and moist, and taste like spring and summer.  Plus they have a brownie texture that you are going to fall in love with. 
• 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!  Just like regular brownies, this lemon version is simple and doesn’t create a ton of dishes. I highly recommend rinsing the bowl you made the best lemon brownies in and using that for the sweet lemon glaze.
• These lemon blondies store very well and can be made ahead of time too.
• This easy recipe 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. That real lemon flavor is unlike any other! We will use both for the brownie batter as well as for the delicious lemon glaze
• 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.

The best way to measure your ingredients is to go with the weight measurements that I have on the recipe card below. That way you get the best out of this simple 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 1/4 tsp 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! 

1. Whisk the melted butter and sugars together. 
2. Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined. 
3. Sift in the flour and salt and mix to combine. 
4. Pour in an 8×8 baking pan and bake. 
5. Let the bars cool down completely before topping them with the glaze. 
6. 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. 

Are these the same as traditional lemon bars?

No traditional lemon bars have a shortbread crust and a lemon custard on top while this one yields something more similar to a fudgy chocolate brownie in texture but uses fresh lemon flavor and no chocolate in it. 

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon zest and juice are a must in this recipe! Since it is the main flavor profile in both the blondie as well as the simple lemon glaze, using high quality ingredients is a must. 

Using bottled lemon juice might give these an odd aftertaste. 

Can these lemon brownies be made ahead of time? 

Yes! Bake them, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them 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! 

How can I get clean slices like the ones in the photos?

Allowing these delicious lemon brownies to cool down fully and using a sharp knife is key to ensuring that you get beautiful and sharp slices every time. 

It is also a good idea to clean your knife after each slice to ensure that the residual doesn’t get stuck on top of the bars

Lemon blondies recipe

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