Best Lemon Brownies Recipe

Introduction

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s irresistibly bright and fudge-like but without the heaviness of chocolate, look no further than these Lemon Brownies—also known as Citrus Bars. With a bold lemon flavor and a moist, fudgy crumb, this recipe delivers the ultimate tangy-sweet treat. Effortless to prepare and visually stunning, Lemon Brownies are a crowd-pleasing twist on classic brownies, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a cheerful finish to your weeknight meal.

Deliciously Unique Lemon Brownies

What sets this recipe apart is the intense citrus punch combined with a chewy, dense texture you’d expect from brownies—not cakes. The bright zest and juice infuse these bars with fresh flavor, while a luscious lemon glaze offers an extra layer of sweet-tart decadence. Each bite is a perfect balance of richness and zing, making these Citrus Bars a refreshing alternative for dessert lovers.

Crafting a Flavorful Lemon Glaze

The Lemon Brownies reach peak deliciousness with a vibrant glaze. Whisk together fresh lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar until smooth. This glossy topping seeps into the brownies as they cool, intensifying the zing and locking in moisture. For a grown-up twist, sneak in a touch of vanilla or almond extract to the glaze.

Assembling and Cutting Lemon Brownies

Allow the baked brownies to cool completely before pouring on the glaze. Use an offset spatula for an even spread, then refrigerate to set. For clean slices, run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts. This ensures each bar displays those gorgeous yellow layers with perfect edges.

Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Lemon Brownies

These Lemon Brownies taste fabulous on their own, but you can easily elevate them. Top each bar with candied lemon slices or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Serve with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant dessert spread—ideal for spring gatherings, brunches, or Mother’s Day treats.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 9 to 12 bars, depending on how generously you slice them. Each bar typically contains 200–230 calories, making them a moderately indulgent treat that feels luxurious without being overly rich.

Best Lemon Brownies Recipe: Why You’ll Love It

These citrus bars marry the chewy, fudgy bite of a brownie with the sunny appeal of lemon desserts. Their vivid flavor profile and beautiful presentation make them a year-round favorite, easily adapted for countless occasions.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting extra hang over for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—this keeps the bars tender and fudgy.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
5. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before glazing.
6. For the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest until smooth and pourable. Spread evenly over the cooled brownies, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the glaze.
7. Lift the slab from the pan, slice into bars, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Lemon Brownies are a stellar addition to your weekly meal prep rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to quickly see which days you’ll enjoy them and automatically generate a smart shopping list that merges ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all selected recipes
– Organizes your grocery list by store section for maximum efficiency
– Helps prevent duplicate purchases and forgotten staples
– Streamlines meal prep for hassle-free weeks

Pro tip: If planning several recipes with lemons, schedule your recipes to see your total lemon needs at a glance—streamlining your shopping and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes (plus glazing and cooling)

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Enjoy the unbeatable brightness and rich texture of these Best Lemon Brownies for your next gathering, and see how easy meal planning and shopping can be with CookifyAI!