Lemon Zest Buttery Brownies (Print Version)

Rich, buttery bars infused with bright lemon zest for a refreshing citrus twist on classic brownies.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 2 teaspoons lemon zest
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Glaze

10 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - Additional lemon zest for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring coverage extends over edges for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Add eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated.
04 - Stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
05 - Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing just until combined and no dry streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with spatula. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until center is just set and edges are lightly golden.
07 - Allow brownies to cool completely in pan on wire rack before glazing or cutting to ensure clean slices.
08 - In small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and pourable. Spread evenly over cooled brownies and sprinkle with additional lemon zest.
09 - Cut into 16 equal squares using sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts for clean edges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The buttery texture melts in your mouth while the lemon zest wakes up your senses
  • These come together in under an hour but taste like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen
  • The glaze adds just the right amount of tangy sweetness without being overwhelming
02 -
  • Let these cool completely before glazing or the icing will melt right off and you'll have a delicious but messy situation
  • The center should still feel slightly underbaked when you take them out—they keep cooking and set up perfectly as they cool
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so set your eggs out about 30 minutes before you start baking
  • Microplane zesters give you the finest zest without any bitter pith, which makes all the difference in the final flavor

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