Prepare to be swept away by a burst of sunshine with these incredible Lemon Blondies. Imagine the comforting chewiness of your favorite brownie, but infused with the bright, zesty essence of fresh lemons, all crowned with a luscious, tart lemon icing. These delightful dessert bars are designed to be a showstopper, whether you’re serving them at bustling potlucks, elegant bridal showers, joyous birthday parties, or simply as a comforting treat at home. Their vibrant flavor and satisfying texture make them an irresistible indulgence for any occasion.
For true lemon aficionados, this recipe is a dream come true. Both the tender, chewy blondie base and the silky, tangy frosting are crafted using only fresh lemons. This dedication to natural citrus ensures every bite is absolutely bursting with authentic, bright lemon flavor, far superior to artificial alternatives. If your love for lemon knows no bounds, you’ll also adore our Classic Lemon Bars, delightful Lemon Oreo Treats, or these charming little Lemon Cookie Cups – each offering a unique lemon experience.
Unveiling the Best Lemon Blondies: A Zesty Delight
This recipe for thick, incredibly chewy, and intensely flavorful Lemon Blondies consistently ranks as one of my all-time favorites, especially when I crave a little burst of sunny zest. They strike a perfect balance, embodying the rich, dense texture of a brownie while delivering the refreshing, tangy notes of a classic lemon bar. Each square is generously topped with a homemade lemon icing that adds another layer of bright sweetness and irresistible tartness.
The texture of these blondies is pure perfection – dense yet tender, offering a satisfying chew that distinguishes them from lighter cakes. You’ll even find a subtle hint of caramelized sugar on the bottom, adding depth to the flavor profile. While wonderfully versatile and suitable for serving year-round, these Lemon Blondies truly shine during the warmer spring and summer months, bringing a touch of refreshing brightness to any gathering. If you’re a fan of the brownie family, you might also enjoy exploring our other recipes, such as rich Grasshopper Brownies, intensely chocolatey Chewy Fudge Brownies, decadent German Chocolate Brownies, or adorable Brownie Bites, but these lemon blondies offer a uniquely bright and tangy twist.
Key Ingredients for Luminous Lemon Blondies
Crafting the perfect Lemon Blondies starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Quality and preparation are key to achieving that ideal chewy texture and vibrant lemon flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt content in your recipe. If you opt for salted butter, consider reducing the additional salt by about half. Crucially, ensure your butter is at room temperature and softened before you begin creaming it with the sugar. This allows for proper aeration, leading to a light and fluffy base for your blondies.
- Granulated Sugar: Beyond sweetness, sugar contributes to the blondies’ characteristic chewiness and helps create those coveted slightly caramelized edges.
- Large Eggs: Eggs are essential binders, helping to hold the dough together and providing structure. They also contribute significantly to the rich, dense, and wonderfully chewy texture that defines a great blondie. Using large, room-temperature eggs often yields the best results.
- Fresh Lemons: The star of the show! You’ll need both the zest and the juice from fresh, bright lemons for both the blondie dough and the icing. Always zest your lemons first before cutting and juicing them. This maximizes flavor extraction and prevents waste. Fresh lemon flavor is truly incomparable.
- Baking Powder: A small amount of baking powder provides just enough lift to prevent the blondies from becoming too dense, while still maintaining that desired chewy texture rather than a cake-like crumb.
- Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and brightening the lemon notes. It’s a small but mighty ingredient that makes a big difference.
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour is ideal for achieving the robust structure needed for these chewy blondies. For those with dietary restrictions, these blondies can often be made gluten-free by substituting your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, though results may vary slightly.
Essential Ingredients for the Zesty Lemon Icing
The crowning glory of these blondies is their tangy lemon icing. Simple yet impactful ingredients ensure a smooth, spreadable, and intensely flavored topping.
- Unsalted Butter: Just as with the blondie dough, room-temperature butter is crucial for the icing. It creams beautifully with the powdered sugar, resulting in a super fluffy and velvety smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This fine sugar is the key to a smooth, non-gritty icing. It dissolves effortlessly, creating a wonderfully sweet and creamy glaze without any granular texture.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Absolutely vital for a truly authentic lemon flavor in your icing. Avoid bottled lemon juice, which often contains preservatives and delivers a dull, artificial taste that will diminish the overall quality of your blondies. Freshly squeezed is always best.
- Yellow Food Coloring (Optional): While purely aesthetic, adding just a few drops of yellow food coloring can enhance the visual appeal of your icing, giving it a soft, sunny hue that perfectly matches its flavor.
Recommended Kitchen Equipment
Having the right tools on hand can make the baking process even smoother and more enjoyable. For these Lemon Blondies, you’ll find the following items particularly useful:
- Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Ideal for creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, and for efficiently mixing the dough.
- 9×9-inch Baking Pan: The perfect size for achieving thick, substantial blondies.
- Parchment Paper: Essential for easy removal of the baked blondies from the pan and minimal cleanup.
- Microplane Zester: For finely zesting your fresh lemons, extracting maximum flavor without bitter pith.
- Citrus Juicer: To efficiently extract fresh lemon juice.
- Rubber Spatula: For scraping down the sides of the bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Offset Spatula: Great for spreading the icing smoothly and evenly across the warm blondies.
- Whisk: For combining dry ingredients thoroughly before adding them to the wet mixture.
How to Masterfully Make Lemon Blondies
Creating these delightful Lemon Blondies is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time.
- Prepare Your Batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened, room-temperature butter with the granulated sugar. Cream these together on medium speed until the mixture becomes visibly light, fluffy, and pale in color, typically taking about 1 to 2 minutes. This step incorporates air, contributing to the blondies’ texture. Next, crack in the large egg, and add the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat until just combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain and the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies.
- Press into Baking Dish: Prepare a 9″ x 9″ baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. Alternatively, lightly spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the thick blondie dough into the prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or your hands (lightly floured if sticky), press the dough evenly across the bottom of the pan, making sure to reach all corners for a consistent thickness.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking pan into your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. It’s crucial not to overbake these, as that can dry them out and reduce their chewiness. Remove the blondies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly in the pan while you prepare the icing.
- Whip Up the Zesty Lemon Icing: While the blondies are cooling, prepare the vibrant lemon icing. In the clean bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the room-temperature butter and half of the powdered sugar (about 1/2 cup) on medium speed until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add the remaining powdered sugar and the fresh lemon juice. Mix again until the icing is smooth and has a spreadable consistency. If the icing is too thick, add a tiny bit more lemon juice; if it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar. If desired, stir in 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring to give the icing a lovely, bright lemon hue.
- Apply Icing and Serve: While the blondies are still slightly warm (this helps the icing spread beautifully and lightly melt into the top), use an offset spatula to spread the lemon icing evenly over the entire surface, extending to the edges. Allow the blondie bars to cool completely at room temperature before attempting to cut them. Cooling completely ensures clean cuts and allows the icing to set properly. Once fully cooled, cut into 9 even squares and serve. Enjoy the delightful blend of chewy texture and bright lemon flavor!
Pro Tips for Achieving Perfect Lemon Blondies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, creating a smoother batter and a more consistent final product.
- Don’t Overmix the Flour: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, leading to tough, dry blondies instead of soft and chewy ones.
- Fresh Lemon is Key: For the most authentic and vibrant flavor, always use fresh lemon zest and juice. Bottled juice simply won’t deliver the same bright, clean taste.
- Baking to Perfection: Keep a close eye on your blondies as they bake. They should be just set and slightly golden at the edges. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Overbaking is the enemy of chewiness!
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: Patience is a virtue when it comes to blondies. Allow them to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them into squares. This ensures they set properly and you get neat, clean slices.
- Adjust Icing Consistency: The amount of lemon juice needed for the icing can vary slightly. Start with the lower amount and add more gradually until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency that’s neither too thick nor too runny.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Blondies
Yes, absolutely! Lemon blondies freeze beautifully. If you plan to freeze them, it’s best to do so *before* they have been iced. Once baked and completely cooled, wrap the blondies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply transfer them to the refrigerator overnight or allow them to come to room temperature on the counter for about an hour. Once thawed, you can then prepare and spread the fresh lemon icing and serve them as usual.
You can certainly double this recipe! If you wish to make a larger batch, simply double all the ingredient quantities. For baking, you’ll need a larger 9” x 13” baking dish instead of the 9×9-inch pan. Keep in mind that when doubling, the blondies will be slightly thicker, so they may require a few extra minutes of baking time. Always perform the toothpick test to ensure they are fully baked.
The best way to determine if your lemon blondies have finished baking is to perform the classic toothpick test. Gently insert a clean toothpick into the very center of the blondie batch. If it comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached, they are done. If you see wet batter, they need a few more minutes. It’s important to watch them carefully and pull them from the oven as soon as they reach this stage to prevent overbaking, which can lead to a dry texture.
Storing Your Luscious Lemon Blondies
Proper storage ensures your Lemon Blondies remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
- Refrigerator: Once iced, wrap the blondies tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezer: For longer storage, un-iced blondies are best. After they have cooled completely, wrap them individually or as a whole slab tightly with plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer them to the refrigerator overnight, or let them sit at room temperature for approximately one hour. Once thawed, you can then proceed to make and apply the fresh lemon icing before serving.
Lemon Blondies Recipe
Author:
The Carefree Kitchen
These lemon blondies are soft and chewy like a brownie but filled with lemon flavor and topped with tart lemon icing. Cut into bars or squares and serve at potlucks, showers, birthday parties, or for treats at home.
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Yields:
9 people
Ingredients
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Lemon Icing
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-1½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 2-3 drops yellow food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the room temperature butter and sugar. Cream, using the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy—about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest—scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Finally, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until well incorporated and no streaks of butter remain, but do not overmix.
- Line a 9″ x 9″ baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, covering the bottom of the pan as evenly as possible.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until just barely golden on the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the remaining powdered sugar and lemon juice and mix again. You want your icing to be spreadable, so adjust by adding a little more lemon juice or powdered sugar as necessary. If desired, mix in 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring.
- Using an offset spatula, spread the lemon icing over the warm lemon blondies evenly and to the edges. Let the cookie bars cool completely before cutting into 9 even squares. Enjoy!
Notes
Storing instructions: Wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Blondies without icing can be wrapped well with plastic wrap and then stored for up to 2 months in the freezer. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight or room temperature for about an hour. From there, you can frost them and serve.
Nutrition
Calories:
444
kcal
Carbohydrates:
55
g
Protein:
4
g
Fat:
24
g
Saturated Fat:
15
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
6
g
Trans Fat:
1
g
Cholesterol:
82
mg
Sodium:
321
mg
Potassium:
83
mg
Fiber:
1
g
Sugar:
30
g
Vitamin A:
739
IU
Vitamin C:
5
mg
Calcium:
26
mg
Iron:
2
mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
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More Easy Dessert Bar Recipes to Savor
If you’re a fan of convenient and crowd-pleasing dessert bars, explore these other delightful recipes that are just as easy to make and equally delicious:
- Creamy Lemon Bars: A classic, rich, and tangy treat.
- Soft and Chewy Scotcharoos: An irresistible no-bake combination of peanut butter and butterscotch.
- S’mores Cookie Bars: All the fun of s’mores in an easy-to-serve bar form.
- Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Another fantastic lemon-infused bar for citrus lovers.
- Butterscotch Bars: Rich, gooey, and packed with sweet butterscotch flavor.
- Orange Creamsicle Cookie Bars: A nostalgic flavor combination in a chewy cookie bar.
- Blackberry Crumble Bars: Fruity and crumbly, perfect for seasonal berries.
- Root Beer Blondies: A unique and surprisingly delicious twist on the classic blondie.
- Discover even more Brownies and Bar Recipes for endless baking inspiration.
- Browse our full collection of Easy Dessert Recipes for every sweet craving.
In conclusion, these dense, wonderfully chewy, and incredibly soft Lemon Blondies offer the perfect fusion of a rich brownie and a bright lemon bar. Their vibrant citrus flavor makes them an ideal dessert for any time of year, guaranteed to be a hit at parties, special showers, or simply as a delightful homemade treat. With their straightforward preparation and irresistible taste, they’re sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire.