Bright & Zesty Lemon Brownie Bars for Every Occasion
Bright, zesty lemon bars with a fudgy brownie texture that melts in your mouth. These easy one-bowl bars are perfect for spring gatherings, Mother's Day, or anytime you want a lighter dessert that still satisfies your sweet tooth. Golden edges, soft center, and an optional tangy glaze make them absolutely irresistible!
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula just until no flour streaks remain, about 20-25 strokes. Don't overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-28 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment handles. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 45 minutes.
- For glaze: whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars. Let set for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Freezing: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Substitutions: Use lime or orange in place of lemon for different citrus flavors. For gluten-free bars, use 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
Tips: Room temperature eggs mix more smoothly. Fresh lemon juice is essential, bottled juice won't deliver the same bright flavor. Zest lemons before juicing them; it's much easier when the fruit is whole.
Serving Suggestions: Dust with extra powdered sugar, top with fresh berries, or serve with whipped cream. These pair beautifully with hot tea or iced lemonade.
Scaling: Double the recipe in a 9x13-inch pan. Add 5-7 minutes to baking time.