These lemon brownies, also called lemonies, are bright, buttery, and ridiculously easy… with a sweet lemon glaze on top that makes them feel extra special. Let’s be honest… anything lemony in a neat little square is hard to resist. How can you not?!
Check out my Lemon Brownies recipe video below… you have to see how easy these are to bake. If you enjoyed this recipe, please like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more dessert bar recipes and other sweet baking treats!
Why you’ll love these lemon brownies
These lemonies come together fast, no fancy steps, and the ingredients are super simple. I love that they bake up soft and moist, but still slice into cute little squares.
Texture + flavor
These taste like a lemon bar and a brownie had a baby… sweet, soft, fudgy, tangy, and rich at the same time. The lemon flavor really pops, and the glaze adds that bright lemony finish that makes each bite so satisfying.
Lemonies Ingredients
Brownies
- 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (180 g)
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (180 g)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour (200 g)
Lemon glaze
- 1 2/3 cups of powdered sugar (200 g)
- 1 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, fresh or from concentrate
Equipment I use
- 8×8 inch baking pan (about 20×20 cm)
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Fine mesh strainer or sifter
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and tablespoons
- Toothpick
- Cooling rack (helpful, not required)
How to make these easy lemon brownies
Instructions for this recipe
Step 1: Prep the pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan (about 20×20 cm) with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt the butter
Melt 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (180 g). Let it cool for a minute so it’s warm, not scorching hot.
Step 3: Mix the base
Add 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (180 g), 3 large eggs, and 1 pinch of salt. Whisk until everything looks well mixed and even.
Step 4: Add the lemon
Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. Whisk again for just a few seconds, just until it’s blended in.
Step 5: Add the flour
Sift in 1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour (200 g). Then mix just until you don’t see dry flour anymore. Stop there. Overmixing can make the texture tougher.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into your lined pan. Give the pan a little shake to help it settle evenly. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 20 minutes. Start checking at 18 minutes. The top should look set, and a toothpick should come out with no wet batter. A few moist crumbs are totally fine, and your kitchen smells absolutely amazing.
Step 7: Cool a bit
Let the brownies cool in the pan for about 10 minutes so the top firms up before you glaze.
Top Tip: If you wait until they’re completely cold to glaze, the glaze spreads more neatly and sets prettier. If you glaze too hot, it can melt and sink in.
Lemon glaze
In a separate bowl, mix 1 2/3 cups of powdered sugar (200 g) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to start. Add more lemon juice a little at a time, up to 3 tablespoons total, until it looks thick and smooth.
Note: If it gets too thin and runny, just mix in a little more powdered sugar until it thickens back up.
Pour the glaze over the cooled brownies, then use a spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Let the glaze set before slicing. Many recipes set in about 10 to 15 minutes, but if you want a firmer top, letting it sit longer is great too.
Related Recipe: If you liked these lemon brownies, you are absolutely going to like these super delicious protein lemon bars here.
){kind=link}
Best Lemon Brownies (Lemonies)
9
servings10
minutes20
minutes414
kcal30
minutesIf you love lemon desserts, you are going love these yummy lemon brownies. They are soft and buttery like a brownie and bright and zesty like a lemon bar, and topped with a sweet lemon glaze. They are super easy to make and bake in about 20 minutes, and disappear even faster.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp (180 g) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (180 g) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 pinch salt
1 2/3 cups (200 g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice
- Lemon glaze
1-5 tbsp (15–45 ml) lemon juice
1 2/3 cups (200 g) powdered sugar
Directions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (355°F). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter and add it to a large mixing bowl, and then add sugar and eggs. Whisk until smooth.
- Add a pinch of salt and lemon juice, whisking until well combined.
- Sift in the flour and mix gently just until no dry flour is visible.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth.
- Let the brownies cool before pouring the glaze evenly on top. Cut into squares to serve.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use the right pan size: For perfectly thick lemon brownies, bake the batter in an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) pan. A larger pan will make them thinner and may reduce the baking time slightly.
- Do not overbake: The key to a soft center in this lemon brownies recipe is baking just until the top looks set and a toothpick comes out clean. Overbaking can make the bars dry instead of moist.
- Cool before glazing: For the best lemon brownies recipe, make sure the brownies are completely cool before adding the glaze. If they are warm, the glaze will melt and become too thin.
- Adjust the glaze thickness: To get that signature crackly top on fudgy lemon brownies, add the lemon juice to the powdered sugar gradually. The glaze should fall slowly from a spoon, not pour like water.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 9
- Calories: 414kcal
- Fat: 18.1g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Protein: 4.6g
Like this recipe?
Check Out @FoodHow on Pinterest.
Like our Facebook Page!
Follow us on Facebook
Storage
Store leftover lemon brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
Quick troubleshooting
If they seem dry: They probably baked a little too long. Next time, start checking a couple of minutes earlier and pull them when you see the top set and the center test looks good.
If the glaze is runny: You added a little too much lemon juice. Mix in a bit more powdered sugar until it thickens.
More Sweet and Lemony Dessert Ideas
If you loved these lemon brownies, you should definitely check out more lemon desserts on my YouTube channel and blog. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Moist Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe With Simple Homemade Glaze – A soft, buttery lemon bundt cake packed with fresh citrus flavor and finished with a smooth homemade glaze that drips beautifully over the top. It’s perfect for gatherings or whenever you want an elegant but easy dessert.
- Super Easy Lemon Mousse Recipe – This light and airy lemon mousse is creamy, refreshing, and comes together with minimal effort. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for warm days when you want something cool and citrusy.
- The Creamiest No-Bake Lemon Pie – A rich, ultra-creamy lemon pie with a smooth filling and no oven required. It’s sweet, tangy, and incredibly simple, ideal when you need a quick lemon dessert without baking.
Leave a comment or question about these lemon brownies in the YouTube comments or down below, and I’ll try to reply to as many as I can.