Lemon Brownies

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These glazed lemon brownies are chewy, perfectly tart, and sweet enough for any occasion! Coated with a sweet lemon glaze, this lemon brownies recipe is easy to make and will satisfy the entire family. My family loves this old-fashioned dessert recipe, and you will, too! 
 
four lemon brownies with lemons
 
 
Flavors of lemon zest and sweet buttery flavors are intertwined into a combination like no other. Whenever I’m wanting to make something extra special, but minimal for the family, I make these lemony lemon brownies. We like to add a light dusting of icing sugar for a little extra sweetness. The lemony glaze is special all on its own.
 
top view of lemon brownies on cutting board with lemons
No cake mix is needed for this easy recipe for lemon brownies. Just some basic pantry ingredients and a few items from the refrigerator are all you’ll need! Fail-proof and ready in under 30 minutes, this lemon recipe is one for the books! These brownies and my glazed lemon bars always vanish in a blink of an eye. Bright and tart flavors, this chewy lemon brownies recipe will become a staple in your home–it’s certainly a crowd-pleaser and are perfect for holidays, parties, and brunches! 
 
front stack of lemon brownies

Baking with Lemons

My sister lives in southern California and she and her husband have an amazing backyard.  Gorgeous flowers, succulents, palm trees. (swoon!) and a beautifully paved patio and fire pit that begs you to be seated around, laughing and sipping your drink of choice. Each year when we visit, I practically squeal when I take in her lemon trees loaded with fruit.
 
She always loads me up with a huge bag of them to take home. Last year, during the pandemic, she FedEx’d me a huge box and I was so grateful!  Over the years, my lemon recipes have grown, each year adding to my collection using the fantastic lemons she shares with me.
 
These Lemon Brownies are one of my most favorite lemon desserts! Flaky brownie, covered in a zesty tart lemon glaze … heaven in a little bitty bar.
 
 
close view of lemon brownies with fork

Why This Recipe Works

  • Quick and Easy: These lemon brownies are ready in no time! This is one of those easy dessert recipes I reach for when I’m in the mood for dessert QUICK.
  • Delicious: Flavors of brightly tart lemons encompass flaky textures that are just so chewy and fudgy. You’ll love biting into these cakey lemon brownies. 
  • Family-Friendly: The entire family will love these easy lemon brownies! How could anyone not love them?! They’re perfect for whenever you’re wanting sunshine in a dish. 

What Are Lemon Brownies?

 Lemon brownies are cakey squares of zest lemon, butter, and sugar that are baked to perfection. Not only are they baked to perfection, but these lemon brownies are also coated in a sweet lemon glaze that makes these brownies just irresistible. When I say I love these brownies: I really love them! 

Ingredients

You will don’t need much for these fudgy lemon brownies! You’ll love how minimal this recipe is!
ingredients for lemon squares 

  • Lemons: You will need three medium-sized lemons for both zest and juice. 
  • Eggs
  • Butter: Unsalted butter is best. 
  • Sugar: Both granulated and powdered sugars are needed for this recipe! 
  • Flour: All-purpose flour is what I used for these lemon brownies! 
  • Salt

How to Make Lemon Brownies

 

Step 1 

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8×8 baking dish lined with parchment paper with butter. 

Step 2

Next, zest and juice the lemons and set them aside. 

eggs and lemon juice in bowl

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, zest, and juice. Set aside. 

brownie batter in bowl

Step 4

In a mixer, cream the butter with sugar, flour, and salt. Add the egg mixture.

brownie batter in dish

Step 5

Beat on medium speed for two minutes and spread into prepared pan.

baked lemon brownies

For the Lemon Glaze

zest, sugar, and lemon juice

Powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest.

top view of lemon brownies ingredients in bowl

Whisk together until smooth.

lemon glaze poured over brownies

Spread on bars. Place in the refrigerator to set.

Cut to serve. Store in the refrigerator.

graphic for lemon brownies

LOVE IT? PIN IT!

Make sure to save these lemon brownies on your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go! You’ll want to make sure you have this dessert recipe on hand! 

 

Are Brownies Always Chocolate? 

Not necessarily! We like to call these lemon squares brownies because they are super chewy and gooey like fudgy brownies. 

What Makes a Brownie a Brownie?

What makes a brownie a true brownie is the ratio of butter, sugar, and flour and how gooey and fudgy it is. 

Can Lemon Brownies Be Frozen? 

Yes! If you want to freeze the brownies, just allow them cool once they have been removed from the oven and wrap them in plastic wrap. Don’t cut the brownies, but just wrap them in plastic wrap then foil.

 

front stack of lemon brownies

Tips

  • You will need the juice of 1 ½ of the lemons.
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days.

close view of lemon square on fork

If you like this lemon brownie recipe, then be sure to check out my full page of bar recipes! And here are even more lemon recipes to love, if you are lucky enough to find yourself with a big bunch of lemons! 

 

graphic for lemon brownies

Let’s make some luscious lemon brownies!    M.

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top view of lemon brownies
4.59 from 56 votes
Print Recipe

Lemon Brownies

Flaky brownie, covered in a zesty tart lemon glaze … heaven in a little bitty bar.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Bars
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chewy lemon brownies, from scratch, glazed lemon brownies, Lemon brownie, Lemon Brownie Recipes, Lemon Brownies recipe, lemon brownies with lemon glaze, lemony lemon brownies, no cake mix, recipe for lemon brownies
Servings: 8 x8 baking dish
Calories: 283kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • For the Brownies:
  • 1 stick unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • For the Glaze:
  • 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 8 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8×8 baking dish lined with parchment paper with butter.
  • Zest and juice lemons and set aside.
  • In a small bowl whisk together eggs, zest and juice, set aside.
  • In your mixer, cream butter with sugar, flour and salt. Add the egg mixture.
  • Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes and spread into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Do not over bake, or bars will be dry.
  • For the Glaze: Whisk together and spread on bars. Place in the refrigerator to set.
  • Cut to serve. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

(recipe will take the zest of approximately 3 medium sized lemons and the juice of 1 1/2 of them)

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g

 

This Lemon Brownie recipe was originally posted on March 26, 2014, it has been updated to improve user experience, and reshared on July 26, 2021.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

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20 Comments

  1. What a fantastic recipe! We thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you so much for attending Weekend Social Blog Hop and Link Party #13 ! We hope to see you there Friday at 9 PM to kick off week 14! We can hardly wait to see what you surprise us with!!

    Heidy L. McCallum of The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch

  2. Oh how wonderful to be able to grow your own lemons, limes and avocados! It’s lovely that you were able to bring some home with you. The Lemon Brownies look amazing – I adore lemon desserts! I’ve pinned this post for future reference and hope to make them soon! Thank you for sharing this post with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

  3. These lemon glazed brownies are so moist and have the perfect tartness. The perfect way to use my lemons from my lemon tree!

  4. I am usually all about the chocolate desserts, except when it comes to lemon! These will be such a delicious treat this summer!

  5. I’ve never heard of lemon brownies before, but you were right about their gooey texture! So bright, citrusy, and delicious!

  6. These lemon brownies are divine! I made them for my Granddaughters baby shower and they were delicious. This will definitely be on my list for future cooking. Everyone should go out and get some lemons and make them. You will not be disappointed!
    Brenda Maxey

    1. Technically a doubled recipe would be more than a 9×13. I have not done that. You would honestly have to just watch it to make sure they are set. They will be thicker than the original recipe.

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