Description
Experience the ultimate citrus twist on brownies: tender, gooey bars bursting with bright lemon notes and finished with a silky lemon glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lemon Bars
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest from 2 lemons
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prep Your Pan
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8″ or 9×9″ baking dish with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Generously spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the Batter
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Crack in the eggs one at a time, stirring each in just until incorporated. Overmixing will make the bars tougher, so stop as soon as the batter looks uniform.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt.
- Add the flour last, folding gently until you have a soft, thick batter.
- Bake the Bars
- Spread the lemon batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the surface appears set and takes on a light golden hue. Don’t overbake—it should remain moist and fudgy inside.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Whip Up the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until you have a pourable, glossy glaze. Adjust the lemon juice to reach your desired consistency.
- Pour the glaze over the cooled bars, using an offset spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle lemon zest over the top for extra zing.
- Finish & Serve
- Allow the glaze to firm up for at least 15 minutes.
- Lift the foil edges to remove the entire slab from the pan, slice into squares, and enjoy!
Notes
Chef’s Tip: For neat slices, chill the glazed bars in the fridge for 20 minutes before cutting. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts