Lemon Brownies With Glaze

If you enjoy easy dessert cuisine, this is your lucky day! Lemon brownies are so fudgy and flavourful that they'll have everyone thinking they took you so long to make.

Hey, don't get me wrong. I love my air fryer chocolate brownies, but I like to experiment and mix things up a bit.

A chewy texture bursting with lemon aromas will melt in your mouth and keep you on your knees. You'll need around 15 minutes to prepare this dessert, and then it bakes in the oven for a bit. In less than an hour, it's a quick treat the whole family will enjoy. I'm fond of the creamy lemon glaze that takes this recipe to another level.

Also, they're super quick and easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. After all, you can eat them for breakfast, after-lunch dessert, or evening snack with a warm cup of tea perfection!

Whether you're a lemon fanatic or simply reminiscent of your childhood memories, these lemon brownies will take you on a journey through time. In this guide, I'll share the step-by-step process to recreate them at home.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Here's why lemon brownies will become your go-to dessert:

• Super easy to make. With basic kitchen equipment and ingredients at home, you can prepare this citrusy dessert in under an hour. No fancy equipment and no hard baking times here!
• Light dessert. If you have a sweet tooth but want to avoid the thick chocolate temptations, this is a light and fresh treat when the sugar cravings kick in.
• Delicious. One bite will persuade you! These lemon brownies are chewy and gooey, filled with a luscious lemon flavour. They're the perfect balance of sweet but not too sweet and tangy but not too tart. In other words, perfection!
• They stay fresh for days. Like a good old wine, lemon brownies get better and better as the days go by. Their texture combines beautifully, making them a wonderful make-ahead dessert. I love baking them before parties and dinners; they take last-minute cooking off my plate.
• Your kids will love it. This is a favourite kids' treat, as it's light, fresh, and playful. Plus, my whole house smells lemonish whenever I cook them, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. These brownies are the point of discussion at BBQs, holiday parties, and friend gatherings. Win-win!

EQUIPMENT

• Oven
• Whisk
• 2 Bowls
• 8 x 8" Baking pan
• Cooking Oil
• Parchment Paper
• Grater or zester

LEMON BROWNIES INGREDIENTS

• 200 grams of white sugar
• 287 grams of all-purpose flour
• 170 grams of white chocolate
• 170 grams of butter
• 3 tablespoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ teaspoon salt

LEMON GLAZE INGREDIENTS

• 125 grams of powdered sugar
• 1-3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

HOW TO MAKE LEMON BROWNIES

Lemon brownies are a delightful alternative to traditional chocolate brownies, offering a refreshing burst of citrus flavor. Here's a simple recipe to guide you through creating these tangy treats in your kitchen.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (I set a time of around 10 minutes)

Grease with cooking oil and line an 8×8" baking pan with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine the eggs and sugar, mixing thoroughly.

Add the chopped white chocolate and butter in a separate large mixing bowl.

Heat the mixture in the microwave or oven until the chocolate and butter melt, then whisk until smooth.

Then, mix it with the sugar and egg mixture.

Gradually add the flour to the mixture, stirring well until combined. Add the salt, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest into the batter, ensuring thorough mixing.

Pour the flour mixture into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until the top of the brownies is completely cooked. To check the inside of the brownies, insert a toothpick into the center.

If no moist crumbs are sticking to it when you take it out, the brownies are done. If there are still moist crumbs attached, extend the baking in 5-minute increments.

Once ready, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

HOW TO MAKE THE LEMON GLAZE

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl, stir until thoroughly mixed.

Pour the prepared glaze on the brownies, spread evenly with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle additional lemon zest on the glazed brownies for added flavour and decoration.

Allow the lemon glaze to set before slicing and serving, which typically takes 10 minutes.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST LEMON BROWNIES

Here are my top tips for perfect lemon brownies every time:

• Use high-quality ingredients. This lemon brownie recipe requires few ingredients, so ensure they're premium quality for texture and flavour. Use high-quality white chocolate (Lindt and Ghirardelli are good options) and organic lemons without pesticides or fungicides.
• Use pure white chocolate. This brownie recipe won't work with compound white chocolate containing oils and fats that will make your brownies greasy. So, use pure white chocolate that has cocoa butter and is a source of solid fats.
• Microwave lemons. Before making your fresh juice, microwave for 30 seconds before cutting them. This will help to release more juice.
• Don't add the lemon glaze unless the lemon brownies are completely cool. That's because they'll be delicate and fragile when hot. So wait until they absorb their moisture, then add the glaze or serve immediately.
• Measure your flour correctly. Don't scoop a measuring cup into the flour; it'll always lead to too much flour for your flour mixture. Instead, sprinkle spoons of flour into your cup, or better yet, weigh your flour.
• Don't over-bake. Keep the 35-minute mark for cooking your lemon brownies, or they might overcook and turn cake-like than brownie-like. So, instead of being moist and fudgy, they'll end up dry. To understand when your brownies are ready, insert a toothpick; it should come out clean, and your brownies should be soft when gently pressed with your finger
• Let the glaze set before slicing. Otherwise, you risk ruining the brownies' shape and their beautiful glaze exterior. It shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes for the glaze to cool off.

HOW TO MAKE LEMON BROWNIES IN THE AIR FRYER

You know me, when it comes to the classics, I love getting playful and tasting my lemon brownies with a twist! My trusty air fryer has revolutionized my recipes, cutting cooking times in half and delivering much healthier dishes.

If you want to savour your lemon brownies air-fried edition, here's what you need to do:

• As you prepare your brownie mix, preheat your air fryer to 160°C/325°F for 5-10 minutes. Make sure you use a baking pan that fits in your air fryer (I use a 4x4 baking pan).
• Air fry to 160°C/325°F for approximately 30 - minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of your brownies, If no moist crumbs are sticking to it when you take it out, the brownies are done.
• In the meantime, prepare the lemon glaze. Once your brownies cool completely, pour over the glaze and wait for them to set before cutting and serving.

HOW TO STORE LEMON BROWNIES

There are three options when it comes to storing your lemon brownies:

• Room temperature. Store them at room temperature in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap to keep them fudgy. Avoid the edges from drying out by waiting to cut the brownies into bite-sized squares until served. When stored properly, your lemon brownies will last 2-3 days.
• Fridge. I love my brownies cold, so I put them in an airtight container in the fridge for extra fudgy texture the next day. Just be sure to keep them uncut and covered with plastic wrap.
• Freeze. If you'd like to keep a stock of these delicious lemon brownies, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. I suggest freezing the uncut, cooled brownies before you glaze them, or the glaze might melt off. Wrap them in plastic and then in heavy-duty foil. Glaze on the day you defrost them before serving.

HOW CAN I ADD MORE LEMON FLAVOR TO BROWNIES

For the lemon lovers who like their brownies super "lemony", I suggest:

• Lemon Extract: Add a teaspoon of lemon extract. Also, Don't be tempted to increase the amount of lemon juice; it'll make the brownies too soft and moist.
• Fresh Lemon Zest: Add grate the zest of one or two lemons directly into your brownie batter. The oils in the zest contain intense lemon flavor without adding extra liquid.
• Lemon Curd Swirl: Give a spoonful of lemon curd onto the surface of your brownies, then use a knife to spread it evenly. This will create strong pockets of lemon flavor throughout the brownies.

LEMON BROWNIES VARIATIONS

If you want to mix things up a bit, I've compiled top lemon brownie variations to take this recipe to the next level:

• Try using other fruits if you'd like to skip the lemons but still maintain the citrus flavour. For example, use orange zest and orange juice or lime zest and lime juice.
• Add ¼ teaspoon almond oil and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for that extra liveliness.
• If you want more luscious flavour, you can add lemon filling or curd to your brownies batter.
• Just like regular brownies, you can add your favourite mix-ins. I go for unsweetened toasted coconut flakes, chopped toasted nuts, or white chocolate chips.
• Skip the usual glaze and top your scrumptious brownies with cream cheese buttercream, meringue, powdered sugar, or melted white chocolate chips.

HOW TO SERVE LEMON BROWNIES

Here are my top serving recommendations to enjoy your lemon brownies:

• Add some strawberries on top for extra fancy lemon desserts. Alternatively, you can try a strawberry or blueberry sauce.
• Chocolate chips are always an option.
• You can also decorate your brownies with fresh fruits like orange or lime slices, raspberries, and blueberries.
• Serve your brownies with a glass of cold milk or warm tea for a nice snack.

FAQs

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