Lemon Brownies (Lemon Blondies) – Easy Citrus Dessert Bars

These chewy lemon brownies-also known as lemon blondies or citrus dessert bars-are soft, fudgy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Made with simple pantry staples and topped with a sweet lemon glaze, they're a sunny treat perfect for spring, summer, or anytime you need a pick-me-up.

A stack of lemon brownies, one with a bite taken out of it.

Why I Love This Recipe

These lemon brownies are everything I want in a dessert-bright, citrusy flavor from real lemons, and a fudgy, chewy texture just like a classic brownie (but with a zesty twist).

Easy to make with pantry staples
Fresh lemon flavor in every bite
Soft, fudgy texture (like a brownie, not a cake)

The ingredients are simple, and they're great to make ahead for spring get-togethers or just to stash in the fridge for snacking.

If you're on a lemon kick like I am, you've gotta try my lemon coconut squares-they're tangy, sweet, and nostalgic in the best way. Or bake up a lemon poppyseed loaf cake for weekend brunch. And when the weather's warm? Nothing beats a glass of homemade lemonade made with real lemons.

Recipe ingredients on the counter in bowls including powdered icing sugar, lemon zest, granulated sugar, butter, flour, baking powder, lemon extract, lemon juice, eggs, vanilla extract and egg yolk.

Ingredients You'll Need

Here's what you need to make these lemon dessert bars:

¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter - Softened to room temperature.
1 lemon, zested and juiced - You'll need about 2 Tbsp zest and 2 Tbsp juice.
1 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk - For a rich, chewy texture.
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt

Lemon Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon extract

Pro Tip: Love extra lemon punch? Add more zest to both the batter and glaze.

Four images grouped together. First is a bowl of lemon juice with squeezed lemons and lemon juicer beside. Second is creamed butter and sugar in bowl with an electric mixer. Third is flour dumped over top of creamed mixture in a bowl. Fourth is lemon brownie batter smoothed with a spatula in a baking dish.

Prep Tips (Mise en Place)

Zest before juicing your lemon-it's much easier!
Let your butter come to room temp for smoother mixing.
Line your pan with parchment for easy lift-out and clean edges.

Easy Steps to Zesty Lemon Brownies

These come together in one bowl and bake up fast. You'll cream the butter, sugar, and lemon zest, then mix in the eggs, extracts, and dry ingredients.

Spread the batter in a lined pan, bake until just set, and let them cool completely. Once they're cool, drizzle that zesty lemon glaze on top, slice into squares, and enjoy every fudgy bite.

Trust me-if you love lemon, these won't last long on the counter.

Pro Tip: Be sure to sift the flour before measuring. Or spoon small amounts of flour in until you have reached the required amount. Don't forget to level and you'll achieve perfect brownies!

Lemon brownies with white glaze cut into squares on top of parchment paper.

Recipe Tips

Don't overbake! The center should be set but still soft for a fudgy texture.
Use a plastic knife or nonstick blade for clean cuts.
Chill the brownies before slicing for neater edges.

Variations & Substitutions

No lemon extract? Add extra zest instead.
Swap orange for lemon for citrus variety bars.
Want a thicker glaze? Use less lemon juice.

A stack of lemon brownies on top of each other, each topped with glaze.

Storing Leftovers

Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze unglazed brownies up to 2 months. Thaw, then glaze.

FAQs

Are lemon brownies supposed to be gooey in the center?

This is because the brownies weren't cooked long enough. To test, poke a toothpick in the middle and it should come out almost clean.

Is it ok if brownies are gooey in the middle?

No, underbaked brownies are unsafe to eat. The internal temperature should reach 165°F with a thermometer.

How long do you let brownies cool in the pan before removing them?

Let the brownies cool for 10 minutes before pulling the parchment paper with the brownies out of the pan.

More Dessert Bars and Brownies to Try

If brownies are your love language, here are a few more you might want to keep on standby:

These easy fudgy brownies are rich and chocolatey-no fancy ingredients needed.
Try the double chocolate beet brownies if you're feeling adventurous (they're secretly loaded with veggies!).
Or make my seed butter oat brownies for a nut-free, school-friendly option.
Want even more? Browse the full brownie recipe collection here.