Description
These Lemon Brownies are irresistibly soft, tangy, and delicious with a zesty lemon flavor layered into a fudgy, moist texture. Topped with a smooth, fresh lemon glaze and garnished with lemon zest and slices, they make a perfect dessert for any lemon lover looking for a bright and citrusy twist on classic brownies.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lemon Brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Lemon slices and zest, to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition to create a smooth, frothy batter.
- Add Lemon Flavor and Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest into the mixture, stirring until smooth. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet batter until just combined.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. In tests, 28 minutes was optimal.
- Cool Completely: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. This ensures the brownies set perfectly and makes them easier to remove.
- Prepare the Glaze: Once cooled, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more lemon juice if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin, aiming for a thick but pourable glaze.
- Glaze and Decorate: Pour the lemon glaze evenly over the lemon brownies. Use an offset spatula to smooth out the surface. Sprinkle lemon zest on top and add fresh lemon slices as decoration.
- Set the Glaze and Serve: Allow the glaze to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve chilled for a firmer texture or at room temperature for a softer, gooier bite.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract to the batter when adding lemon juice.
- Using room temperature eggs helps emulsify the batter, resulting in a smooth and even texture.
- Check bake time closely between 25-30 minutes to achieve a fudgy center with set edges.
- Removing the brownies from the pan before glazing makes the process less messy but glazing in the pan is also possible.
- Serving chilled intensifies the fudge-like texture; serving at room temperature keeps them soft and gooey.
