Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
If you’re ready to brighten up your day with sunny citrus and juicy berries, let me tell you: these Strawberry Lemon Blondies are about to become your new favorite treat! With their perfectly chewy texture, bursts of fresh strawberry, and a vibrant lemony glaze, each bite is like a taste of sunny summer afternoons no matter the season. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, need a cheerful picnic dessert, or just want something sweet that wows, you absolutely can’t go wrong with a pan of Strawberry Lemon Blondies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about this recipe is that it calls for simple, familiar ingredients that magically come together to create something spectacular. Each one plays a starring role—adding richness, brightness, or a gorgeous pop of color and flavor that makes these blondies shine.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds a rich, creamy base that gives the blondies their soft and tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the blondies just enough and helps create that crackly, shiny top.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds a touch of richness.
- Lemon juice: Pours in tart, zesty citrus flavor for that signature bright taste.
- Lemon zest: Packs double the lemon punch and fragrant aromatic oils.
- All-purpose flour: The structure behind your chewy, luscious blondie squares.
- Salt: Just a pinch—this tiny touch balances all the sweet and tangy notes.
- Fresh strawberries, diced: Juicy bites of berry that melt into the batter for color and natural sweetness.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Makes the sweetest, creamiest lemon glaze as the perfect finishing touch.
- Lemon juice (for glaze): Adds that classic tartness and glossy shine to the drizzle.
- Finely diced strawberries (for glaze, optional): For a whisper of pink color and one more hit of real berry flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang if you can—this will make lifting out the finished Strawberry Lemon Blondies a breeze. This little step ensures perfectly even baking and effortless removal (so you get those beautiful, neat squares every time).
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until the mixture looks glossy and smooth. This gives your blondies their chewy, shiny top. Next, add in the egg, lemon juice, and lively lemon zest. Whisk again until all the flavors are fully blended—you’ll notice the batter already smells incredible!
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Gently stir in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix—stop as soon as you see the flour disappear into the batter. Overdoing it can make blondies a bit tough, and we want these Strawberry Lemon Blondies delicate and soft.
Step 4: Fold in the Strawberries
With a spatula, softly fold the diced fresh strawberries into the batter. You want them evenly distributed, but try not to crush them—they’ll bake up as gorgeous fruity gems throughout each bite.
Step 5: Spread and Bake
Pour the batter into your lined pan and use the spatula to spread it into an even layer, smoothing the top. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 28 minutes. You’re looking for light golden edges, with a toothpick coming out with just a few moist crumbs—don’t wait for it to come out totally clean, or they’ll be overbaked! Cool completely before adding glaze.
Step 6: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and strawberries (if using) until the glaze is silky and pourable. The optional strawberries tint the glaze a soft pink and layer on extra berry flavor. Spread this sweet-tart elixir over your cooled blondies.
Step 7: Set and Slice
Let the glaze set at room temperature, then use the parchment paper to lift everything out of the pan. Slice these beauties into squares and get ready to watch them disappear!
How to Serve Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Garnishes
Elevate your Strawberry Lemon Blondies with a sprinkle of extra lemon zest on top, a decorated swirl of glaze, or even a couple of thinly sliced strawberries for fresh flair. If you want to go all-out, a dusting of powdered sugar brings a magical, snowy finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a crowd-pleasing dessert, or sip a mug of hot tea alongside a square for the ultimate cozy break. For a summer picnic, try serving with a big bowl of fresh fruit salad or homemade lemonade to double down on those bright, seasonal flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut the Strawberry Lemon Blondies into mini squares and stack them on a tiered platter for guests to nibble. Wrap individual blondies in parchment for picnic favors, or layer them between wax paper in a cute bakery box—making them the sweetest homemade gift!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Strawberry Lemon Blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor actually deepens after a day, and the blondies stay delightfully chewy—even chilled.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these blondies freeze beautifully. Just wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and pop in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze without the glaze and add it after thawing.
Reheating
To bring back their just-baked magic, let frozen blondies thaw at room temperature or microwave an individual piece for 10–15 seconds. If you left off the glaze before freezing, spread it on after they’ve thawed for the freshest finish.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries are ideal because they hold their shape and don’t introduce extra moisture, but you can use frozen in a pinch. Just thaw, pat dry, and dice them well before folding into the batter. Be cautious, as your blondies may end up a bit softer.
What’s the best way to get that pretty pink glaze?
The secret is adding a tablespoon of finely diced strawberries to the glaze mixture. The strawberries naturally tint the icing a beautiful pastel pink and amplify the berry flavor, too!
Can I make Strawberry Lemon Blondies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure to check that your baking powder (if included in your blend) is gluten-free as well.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges and a toothpick inserted in the center coming out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Overbaking dries out blondies, so err on the side of slightly underbaked for ultra-fudgy centers.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Check for doneness around 30–35 minutes, as the thicker layer will need a bit more time in the oven.
Final Thoughts
I truly believe these Strawberry Lemon Blondies are a little square of happiness—you get the best of both summer berries and bright citrus in every bite. Give them a try, share them with someone you love, and don’t forget to sneak a few for yourself. Happy baking!
Print
Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 9 blondies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Strawberry Lemon Blondies for a burst of fruity flavor combined with zesty lemon. These soft and chewy bars are perfect for a sweet summer treat or a lovely dessert any time of year.
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely diced strawberries (optional, for color and flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar. Add egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mix until combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour and salt until just incorporated. Gently fold in diced strawberries.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25–28 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Make glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and strawberries, then spread over cooled blondies.
- Serve: Allow the glaze to set before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm strawberries to prevent excess moisture.
- For extra lemon flavor, add lemon extract to batter or glaze.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
