Soft Lemon Blondie Dessert Bars
Delicious dessert bars with a moist cake-like texture, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness from fresh lemons.
Ingredients
For the Blondies
- 2 large eggs, room temperature Provides structure and moisture
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled Creates a rich base
- ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice Approximately from 2 lemons, adds tartness
- 1½ cups plain all-purpose flour Provides structure
- 1 cup white granulated sugar Sweetens the flavor
- ½ teaspoon fine salt Balances sweetness
- 2 lemons finely grated zest Roughly 2 tablespoons, enhances lemon flavor
For the Frosting
- 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar Adds sweetness and smooth texture
- 2 tablespoons freshly pressed lemon juice More as needed for desired texture
- to taste Additional lemon zest for garnish (optional) For visual appeal and flavor
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with granulated sugar, whisking until smooth.
- Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, whisking until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate fresh-squeezed lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest, mixing until combined.
- Gently sift in the all-purpose flour and fine salt, folding into the batter with a rubber spatula until no dry bits remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out with a spatula.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, until set in the center and lightly golden at the edges.
- Allow blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting.
Frosting and Serving
- Whisk together sifted confectioners' sugar and freshly pressed lemon juice to make the frosting, adjusting for a smooth texture.
- Once blondies are cooled, lift them out using the parchment overhang and spread the lemon frosting evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with additional lemon zest if desired, then cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. They also freeze well for up to two months.