If you love desserts that capture the sunny brightness of citrus and the luscious decadence of classic brownies, these Fudgy Lemon Brownies are going to become your latest obsession. Think of a rich, dense bar, bursting with vibrant lemon flavor and topped with a glossy lemon glaze that crackles delicately under your fork. Each bite offers that irresistible combination of zippy tartness and sweet, buttery fudginess—a treat that’s as simple to whip up as it is dazzling to serve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t need fancy or hard-to-find ingredients for these Fudgy Lemon Brownies—just a handful of essentials that work together beautifully. Every single element here plays a starring role, from the bright citrus to the creamy butter, creating those layers of flavor and texture you’ll crave in every bite.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure while keeping the brownies tender and dense rather than cakey.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that lovely fudgy texture without being overwhelming.
- Salt: A pinch heightens all the lemony, buttery notes and balances out the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Delivers a rich flavor and luscious mouthfeel; melted butter keeps the brownies ultra-fudgy.
- Large eggs: Help bind and set the brownies, ensuring they’re rich but never crumbly.
- Lemon zest: Packs a punch of aromatic, floral citrus for maximum lemon flavor in every bite.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and tang that carries through both the brownie and the glaze.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the citrus with warmth and depth for a balanced flavor profile.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Dissolves easily to form that smooth, glossy finish atop each brownie.
How to Make Fudgy Lemon Brownies
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). To make life easier later, either line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a thin coat of butter or nonstick spray. This ensures your Fudgy Lemon Brownies will lift out perfectly, with those gorgeous edges intact.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. This simple mix guarantees every square will be evenly textured, preventing any pockets of dry flour or runaway sugar crystals.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Grab a second bowl and vigorously whisk together your melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Take a moment to appreciate the intoxicating scent—it’s a preview of all the flavor to come!
Step 4: Combine and Mix
Pour the wet mixture directly into your bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently, just until combined. The goal is to avoid overmixing, which can make brownies tough rather than fudgy. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 5: Bake
Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with just a couple moist crumbs. This timing is key for that classic Fudgy Lemon Brownies texture.
Step 6: Cool Completely
As tempting as it is to dive right in, patience pays off here! Let the brownies cool completely in the pan—this ensures the structure sets perfectly and that the warm brownies won’t melt your glaze later.
Step 7: Make and Pour the Glaze
While the brownies are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest for the glaze. Pour this luscious, tangy topping over the cooled brownies and spread until even. Give it about 15 minutes to set before you dive in with your knife to slice beautiful squares.
How to Serve Fudgy Lemon Brownies
Garnishes
To send your Fudgy Lemon Brownies over the top, try a shower of extra lemon zest, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a delicate twist of candied lemon peel. If you’re feeling fancy, edible flowers or a few fresh berries will turn your dessert tray into a showstopper.
Side Dishes
These bars pair famously with a mug of hot tea or an iced coffee, but for a more decadent experience, set out a bowl of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A refreshing fruit salad with more citrus or fresh berries makes a bright, cheerful companion.
Creative Ways to Present
Slicing your Fudgy Lemon Brownies into mini bites for a party, serving them layered in a dessert trifle, or presenting them as part of a brunch platter are all ways to make these treats shine. Stack them tall, arrange with alternating citrus slices, or wrap individually for a beautiful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place completely cooled brownies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment if stacking. They’ll keep brilliantly at room temperature for up to 3 days, while the glaze stays soft and the centers remain irresistibly fudgy.
Freezing
Fudgy Lemon Brownies freeze like a dream! Arrange squares in a single layer (or separate layers with parchment), wrap well, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature, and you’ll be amazed by how fresh they taste.
Reheating
If you like your brownies just a touch warm, pop an individual square in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften the texture without melting the glaze. For a freshly-baked vibe, a quick warm-up in a low oven works perfectly, too.
FAQs
Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?
Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. The bake time may be slightly longer, so keep an eye on the edges and use the toothpick test for doneness.
Can I make Fudgy Lemon Brownies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Check that your blend contains xanthan gum for a similar texture. The result will still be deliciously moist and lemony!
What’s the best way to zest a lemon?
Use a microplane or fine grater and take care to only remove the yellow skin, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath. Fresh zest adds the most intense citrus fragrance and flavor to your Fudgy Lemon Brownies.
Can I use bottled lemon juice if I don’t have fresh lemons?
Freshly squeezed juice is always best for vibrant, natural flavor, especially when paired with zest. Bottled juice will work in a pinch, but your brownies will truly shine with real lemons.
Why are my lemon brownies not fudgy?
Most often, overbaking or overmixing the batter causes brownies to go cakey rather than fudgy. Bake just until set and moist crumbs remain, and mix only until ingredients come together for that signature dense, gooey texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re longing for a citrus treat that’s refreshingly different from the typical brownie, these Fudgy Lemon Brownies will absolutely steal the show. Their sunny flavor and decadent texture make them impossible to resist—so go ahead, try them out, and let each bite bring a burst of sweetness and joy into your kitchen!
Print
Fudgy Lemon Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Fudgy Lemon Brownies are a delightful twist on traditional brownies, with a burst of zesty lemon flavor in every bite. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze, these citrus-infused treats are perfect for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine mixtures: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into the pan, spread evenly, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Make glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Glaze brownies: Pour glaze over cooled brownies and let it set for 15 minutes.
- Slice and serve: Slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- For a more intense lemon flavor, increase zest or add lemon extract.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a firmer texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
