Fudgy Lemon Blondies (Brownies)

Name: Lemon Blondies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 115 g butter; 110 g (1/2 cup) caster sugar; 40 g (1/4 cup) icing sugar mixture; 2 eggs (room temperature); finely grated lemon zest from 1 lemon; 1 tbs lemon juice; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 150 g (1 cup) plain flour; pinch of salt; 150 g (1 cup) pure icing sugar; 2 tbs lemon juice; finely grated lemon zest from 1 lemon

Jump to Recipe

Taking just 10 minutes to prepare, these Lemon Blondies are soft, dense and fudgy.

Topped with a luscious lemon frosting, there is a tangy flavour in every bite, making them a must-bake for any lemon fan!

With the soft, fudgy texture of chocolate brownies, topped with creamy frosting, these easy lemon blondies are guaranteed to be adored by any citrus fan and, like my classic lemon slice, and lemon crumble bars, they are packed with zingy lemon flavour!

Serve these moist lemon bars for afternoon tea, pack in lunchboxes, or enjoy them for dessert - this quick and easy recipe is one the family will love!

If your family loves brownies and blondies, why not try these wickedly sweet banana blondies with caramel frosting, raspberry and white chocolate blondies, or rich Nutella brownies? They never last long!

Two lemon blondies on a plate with a bite taken out of one.

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

Quick and easy - this recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare.
No fancy equipment needed - you just need a bowl and a spoon!
Full of lemon flavour - with lemon zest and juice in both the blondie and the frosting, there is a tangy lemon flavour in every bite.
Freezer friendly - these lemon blondies freeze well, and like my other freezer friendly slices, they are perfect for storing in the freezer for any sweet cravings!
Conventional and Thermomix - both methods are written in the recipe card below.

Overhead photo of lemon blondies on a white cake stand.

What You Need

You need just a few simple pantry ingredients to make this easy lemon blondie recipe!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Lemon Blondie Ingredients

Butter - I prefer to use unsalted butter to make my lemon blondies.
Caster sugar - also known as superfine sugar, this sugar has finer grains than granulated sugar and therefore dissolves quicker, resulting in a better textured blondie.
Icing sugar mixture - don't use pure icing sugar - leave this for the frosting.
Eggs - I use large eggs which weigh approx 60g. It is best to use room temperature eggs.
Lemon zest - from 1 lemon. Zest just the yellow skin, not the white pith.
Lemon juice - I recommend using fresh lemons, rather than store bought lemon juice, as lemon zest is also required in this recipe for both the base and the frosting.
Vanilla extract - or you can use pure vanilla essence or vanilla paste if you prefer.
Plain flour - also known as all-purpose flour.
Pinch of salt - brings out the flavours in the blondies.

Ingredients needed to make the recipe weighed out and placed in individual bowls.

Lemon Frosting Ingredients

Pure icing sugar - don't use soft icing sugar or icing sugar mixture as the icing won't set as hard.
Lemon juice - I recommend fresh lemon juice. As the zest is also required in this recipe it is easier to use fresh lemons.
Lemon zest - from 1 lemon.

A fresh lemon and icing sugar needed to make the lemon icing to top the blondies with.

Equipment Required

Microwave and microwave safe bowl - or Thermomix.
20cm square baking tin - greased and lined.
Oven - I specify fan-forced oven temperatures in my recipes, so if you have a conventional oven, increase the temperature by between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Step By Step Instructions

These zesty lemon blondies take just 10 minutes to prepare!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 - Preheat The Oven

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan forced). Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper.

Step 2 - Make The Blondie Batter

Place the butter into a microwave safe bowl and melt on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

Melted butter, caster sugar and icing sugar in a bowl.

Add the caster sugar and icing sugar mixture to the melted butter, and mix ingredients together.

The melted butter and sugars in a mixing bowl.

Add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract and whisk together until combined.

Eggs and lemon juice added to the sugars and butter.

Sift in the flour and salt.

Mix until ingredients combined.

Step 3 - Bake

Pour the blondie mixture into the prepared baking tin and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through when tested with a skewer (it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs on it).

Allow the lemon blondie to cool in the pan before making the frosting.

The blondie batter poured into the lined baking tin.

Step 4 - Make The Lemon Frosting

Whisk the sifted icing sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest together in a small bowl.

Lemon juice and icing sugar mixed together in a small bowl.

Spread the frosting over the cooled blondie base.

The lemon frosting spread over the cooled blondies.

Allow the frosting to set before cutting into slices.

Expert Tips

Don't over mix the blondie batter, otherwise the blondies can turn out cakey rather than fudgy.
No raising agent needed - lemon blondies are made without any raising agent like baking powder as this makes them fudgy rather than cakey.
Don't overcook the blondies - they are ready when a toothpick or skewer inserted into the middle comes out with a few small crumbs attached to it. If you overcook them they will be dry.
Add ins - try adding some fresh blueberries or white chocolate chips to the blondie batter. Delicious!
Storage - these blondies will keep in an airtight container up to 5 days at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I freeze blondies?

Yes, you can! Wrap the lemon blondies well and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

What is the difference between and blondie and a brownie?

Blondies are similar to brownies in their texture, but blondies are flavoured with vanilla whereas brownies are made with chocolate and/or cocoa powder.