Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! When you think of brownies, you probably think of rich, dark chocolate. But what if we took that classic fudgy texture and gave it a bright, fruity twist? These Strawberry Lemon Brownies are my answer to that. They’re a perfect mashup of a classic brownie and a vibrant, summery fruit dessert. With a tender, chewy texture, a zesty lemon flavor, and a juicy burst of fresh strawberries in every bite, this recipe is a complete game-changer for a dessert that’s both comforting and refreshing.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is its genius simplicity and its incredible payoff. It delivers a dense, chewy texture that you expect from a great brownie, but the flavors are completely unexpected and delightful. The lemon zest and juice add a crucial, vibrant pop that cuts through the richness, while the fresh strawberries provide a sweet and juicy contrast. This recipe is a fantastic way to celebrate a beautiful summer day and a great dessert to have in your back pocket for a fast and delicious treat. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
Swaps and Notes
- Butter: Unsalted butter is my preference here, but you can also use a good quality vegetable oil.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe. You can also use raspberries or blueberries.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon zest and juice are a must! The flavor is so much brighter and more vibrant than bottled juice.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar works perfectly here. A simple powdered sugar glaze would also be a fantastic addition to the finished brownies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, mix together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
- Combine the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix!
- Add the Strawberries: Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing and serving. This is a crucial step for the brownies to set up properly.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: This is the most important tip for a light and tender brownie. Mixing too much will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough, dense brownie.
- Cool Completely: Don’t skip the cooling step! These brownies will be very soft when they first come out of the oven. Let them cool completely before slicing.
- Use Fresh Lemon: Fresh lemon zest and juice make a huge difference in the final flavor.
- Taste the Batter: Before you bake, you can give the batter a quick taste and adjust the lemon juice or sugar to your liking.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Strawberry Lemon Brownies are a perfect dessert on their own. They’re so light and refreshing that you don’t need much else. You could serve them with a simple glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a full dessert spread, they would go perfectly with other treats like a big family banana pudding or some delicious peanut butter brownies.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy baking and creating delicious treats from scratch, you might also like these other recipes:
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs are my favorite sweet obsession
- This Blueberry Lemonade is my favorite refreshing drink for sunny days
- This Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake is my favorite no-bake summer dessert
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Lemon Brownies are a perfect example of a new classic. They’re a simple, clever mashup that delivers on big, comforting flavor every single time. It’s a fun and easy way to get a fantastic dessert on the table, and it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home.
What’s your favorite fruity dessert? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are irresistible.
Strawberry Lemon Brownies: A Bright & Fruity Twist on a Classic
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
- Fold in the chopped strawberries gently to incorporate them into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares and serving.
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