Lemon Brownies

This easy recipe for Lemon Brownies has the texture of a fudgy brownie, bursting with white chocolate chips, fresh lemon flavor, and the most delicious glaze on top! They are irresistible!

Stacked lemon brownies in front of a bowl of lemons and glasses of milk.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Recipe
What You’ll Need
How to Make the Best Lemon Brownies
Recipe FAQ’s
Tips for Success
What to Serve with Lemon Brownies
Substitutions and Variations
More Lemon Dessert Recipes
Glazed Lemon Brownies Recipe Recipe

I’m a sucker for lemony treats with their lip-puckering tart flavor. And right now our lemon tree is overwhelming us with bags and bags of fresh lemons that I’m trying to use in all the things when I can’t give enough of them away.

This fresh lemon brownie recipe has a dense, fudgy texture just like a regular brownie, but it is loaded with bright, citrusy flavors and covered in a tangy glaze!

Some people call these lemon blondies since there isn’t any brown to these brownies, but regardless of what you want to call them, these lemon brownie bars are the perfect dessert for a lemon lover looking for a twist on traditional chocolate brownies.

The addition of white chocolate chips is the perfect complimentary flavor that helps sell the brownie-ness of these Lemon Brownies since our family loves fudgy brownies with chocolate chips. It took a lot of tries to get the lemon brownie texture just right, but I’m so glad I finally did!

For more of my best brownie recipes, check out my Mint Brownie Recipe, Pecan Pie Brownies, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, Slutty Brownies (Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies with Oreos), and Cream Cheese Brownies!

Why We Love This Recipe

The refreshing lemon flavor and sweet lemon glaze make lemon brownies a particularly good choice for warm weather months, but citrus season is actually during winter and honestly, they’re so delicious you’ll find yourself making them year-round.
The key ingredient in this lemon brownie recipe is natural, real lemon flavor from freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest – no lemon extract in sight!

Stacked lemon brownies with lemon wedges on top.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Salted Butter – Provides richness and moisture to the brownies, contributing to their fudgy texture.
Vegetable Oil – Adds moisture and ensures the brownies stay tender.
Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the brownies and balances the tartness of the lemon.
Eggs – Eggs bind the ingredients together and contribute to the brownies’ structure, while the extra yolk adds richness and a more tender crumb.
Lemon Zest – Provides intense lemon flavor that’s fresh and vibrant.
Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds the tangy lemon flavor that is key to these brownies.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the brownies.
All-Purpose Flour – The base of the brownie batter, providing structure.
Cornstarch – Helps to soften the flour’s proteins, resulting in a more tender texture.
Baking Powder – A leavening agent that helps the brownies rise slightly, giving them a lighter texture than dense, fudgy chocolate brownies.
Salt – Enhances all the flavors in the brownies and balances the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar – Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that complements the tangy lemon flavor in the brownies.

How to Make the Best Lemon Brownies

Prepare equipment. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with a parchment paper sling.
Add wet ingredients. First, add the butter, eggs, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and sugar to a medium bowl or large bowl.

Combining granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and melted butter in a large mixing bowl.

A whisk in a bowl of ingredients for lemon brownies.

Combine mixture. Whisk the ingredients together until combined.
Add dry ingredients. Next, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.

Adding dry ingredients to lemon brownie batter in a white mixing bowl.

Lemon brownie batter in a mixing bowl with a whisk.

Stir brownie mixture. Stir just until combined.
Optional extras. Now is the time to include any optional add-ins in the brownies, such as white chocolate chips. Chopped lemon sandwich cookies or Golden Oreos would also be good additions if you want to make these lemon brownies more over-the-top.

Adding white chocolate chips to lemon brownie batter.

Lemon brownie batter with white chocolate chips in an 8-inch square baking pan lined with a parchment paper sling.

Bake the brownies. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and place in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool for about a half hour.
Glaze and chill. While the brownies are cooling, create the glaze by combining the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Glaze the top of the brownies once they’ve cooled, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until the glaze is set and the bars are chilled.

Adding a simple lemon glaze to lemon brownies in a square pan.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I make these Lemon Brownies gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily make these lemon brownies gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for 1:1 substitution.

Can I use bottled lemon juice for Lemon Brownies?

While fresh lemon juice is recommended for its bright, natural flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Keep in mind that fresh zest is crucial for the lemon flavor, so try not to substitute that.

How do I know when Lemon Brownies are finished baking?

Lemon Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The edges should be set and slightly pulled away from the sides of the pan, but the center should still be soft.

How long do Lemon Brownies last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, lemon brownies can last for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Lemon brownies cut into 16 squares surrounded by fresh lemons.

Tips for Success

The quality of the lemons used will significantly impact the flavor of the brownies, so use fresh lemons for both the zest and juice to get the most vibrant lemony flavor. Meyer lemons work great if you have some on hand, or regular lemons are perfect too.
Ensure that the eggs and butter are at room temperature before starting as this helps the ingredients mix more evenly, which makes for a smoother batter.
Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, making your brownies tough rather than tender, so mix the batter just until you can no longer see streaks of flour.
If you prefer a more intense lemon flavor, feel free to add more lemon zest to both the batter and the glaze. Conversely, if you like a subtler lemon taste, you can reduce the zest slightly.
It’s best to start checking the brownies a couple of minutes before the suggested baking time is up because ovens can vary, and look for signs of doneness—like a toothpick coming out clean or with a few crumbs—rather than relying solely on timing. You don’t want to overbake these or they will turn out more dry and with less of a fudgy texture.
It’s tempting to rush into glazing and tasting, but allowing the brownies to cool completely will prevent the glaze from melting and ensure it sets properly.
For neat, clean-cut brownie squares, chill the brownies first and use a sharp knife, cleaning it between cuts.

What to Serve with Lemon Brownies

Serve lemon brownies with a glass of cold milk or go all-out on lemon flavor with a batch of homemade lemonade. This duo doubles down on the lemon flavor, making it a wonderful choice for summer gatherings.

To make these delicious lemon brownies into a full-blown dessert for a party, serve them alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream – or try my Fresh Lemon Ice Cream recipe!

Glazed lemon blondie squares with thin lemon wedges decorating the tops of some of them.

Substitutions and Variations

You can use unsalted butter instead of salted butter by adding an extra pinch of salt to the recipe.
Any neutral-flavored oil, like canola or coconut oil, can be used instead of vegetable oil if preferred.
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend that substitutes one-for-one with regular flour.
For extra lemony lemon brownies, add a splash of lemon extract alongside the vanilla extract.
Instead of this lemon version, you can make Lime Brownies by using fresh lime juice and lime zest.
Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, or berries such as blueberries or raspberries, can add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your lemon brownies. Just fold them into the batter before baking.
Incorporating ingredients like poppy seeds, almond extract, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the glaze can create exciting new flavors, so don’t be afraid to add your own twist to this recipe.