Lemon Brownies Recipe: How to Make a Lemon Glaze
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: May 4, 2023 • 2 min read
Make a batch of glazed lemon brownies for a sweet and tart summer dessert that combines flavors of fresh lemon with chocolate.
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What Are Lemon Brownies?
Lemon brownies, also known as lemon blondies or lemon bars, are a lemon-chocolate dessert. The food is similar to a chocolate brownie in texture but more similar to blondies in color. Chefs use lemon extract and food coloring to give these lemon desserts a lemony flavor and pale yellow color. Brownies contain a mix of white sugar and brown sugar—if you prefer fudgy, chewy lemon brownies, use more brown sugar than white sugar, and if you prefer cakier brownies, use extra flour.
Mix-Ins for Lemon Brownies
Lemon brownies, or lemon blondies, have a distinct sweet and tart taste; however, many other flavors work well with both lemon and chocolate. Here are a few different ingredients you can consider mixing into your lemon brownies recipe:
- Freeze-dried fruit: Add natural sweetness and crunch to lemon blondies with freeze-dried fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or dragon fruit.
- Nuts: Crunchy, salty nuts pair well with the sweet lemon flavor of lemon brownies. Pistachios, walnuts, and pine nuts are all good options.
- White chocolate chips: Instead of milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips—popular ingredients in gooey chocolate brownies—try using white chocolate chips in lemon brownies. White chocolate is sweet and balances out the tartness of the lemon flavor.
Lemon Brownies Recipe
makes
9 browniesprep time
15 mintotal time
40 mincook time
25 minIngredients
For the brownies
For the lemon glaze
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Line an 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and grease it with cooking spray.
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips.
- 4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
- 5
With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- 6
Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- 7
Add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- 8
With a wooden spoon, add the flour mixture to the batter.
- 9
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake the brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
- 10
While the brownies bake, make the glaze.
- 11
In a small bowl, whisk the softened cream cheese and lemon juice.
- 12
Add the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of the milk at a time until the glaze reaches a drizzle consistency.
- 13
Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cook in the baking pan for 10 minutes.
- 14
Pour the glaze over the brownies while they’re still warm, and then let them cool to room temperature.
- 15
Cut the cooled brownies into squares and serve them immediately or store them in a resealable plastic bag or another airtight container.
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