Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
If you’re craving a treat that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, fruity, and utterly irresistible, look no further than these Strawberry Lemon Blondies. Each bite is bursting with zesty lemon and juicy strawberry, nestled in a soft, buttery blondie that’s finished off with a tangy, glossy lemon glaze. Perfect for spring celebrations, lunchbox surprises, or just because, this recipe puts a fresh twist on traditional blondies—making it a must-have for anyone who loves bold, sunny flavors and pretty treats that look as gorgeous as they taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best Strawberry Lemon Blondies come from the simplest ingredients, each one playing a special part in the final flavor and texture. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the blondies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and classic buttery taste.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that perfect, tender crumb.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor and extra moisture.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and give the bars lift.
- Lemon Juice: Packs a punch of fresh, tangy lemon flavor right into the batter.
- Lemon Zest: Infuses the blondies with essential oils from the lemon, for even more citrusy zing.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the blondies, offering structure and softness.
- Baking Powder: Ensures the blondies rise just beautifully, keeping them light (not dense).
- Salt: A small touch that amplifies all the other flavors.
- Fresh Strawberries: Bursts of tart fruitiness throughout—make sure to pat them dry!
- Powdered Sugar (for the glaze): Melts into a silky, sweet-tart finishing touch.
- Lemon Juice (for the glaze): Delivers the glaze’s signature sparkle and brightness.
- Crushed Freeze-Dried Strawberries (optional for glaze): Intensifies the strawberry flavor and gives a pop of pink color.
How to Make Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting some hang over for easy lifting later. This not only prevents sticking but makes for effortless clean-up and perfectly cut blondies every time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and dreamy. This step is key to achieving that classic blondie texture that we all love.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Lemon
Beat in your eggs, zippy lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest into the creamed mixture. The lemon brightens up the flavors in these Strawberry Lemon Blondies and makes them extra refreshing.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these separately ensures even distribution and a consistent crumb throughout your blondies.
Step 5: Mix and Fold in Strawberries
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Gently fold in the diced, well-patted strawberries—be delicate so they stay intact and don’t bleed too much color into the batter.
Step 6: Spread and Bake
Spread your luscious batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay!). Let them cool completely in the pan—patience is hard but worth it.
Step 7: Glaze and Slice
Once cool, whisk together the glaze ingredients until perfectly smooth and drizzle it generously all over the top. The glaze sets into a thin, crackly layer of citrusy sweetness that makes these bars pop. Allow it to set before using a sharp knife to slice your Strawberry Lemon Blondies into squares.
How to Serve Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Garnishes
Dress up your Strawberry Lemon Blondies with extra lemon zest flakes, sliced fresh strawberries, or a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberries. For special occasions, a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a few edible flowers will make your dessert plate shine.
Side Dishes
Pair these vibrant blondies with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a refreshing fruit salad on the side. An icy cold glass of lemonade or fruity iced tea is another great way to complement those lemony and strawberry notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting your Strawberry Lemon Blondies into fun shapes with cookie cutters for parties or gatherings. Stack them on a tiered cake stand for an eye-catching centerpiece, or wrap individual blondies in parchment and tie with twine for adorable gifts or picnic treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Strawberry Lemon Blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavors become even more vibrant as they chill, and they’re absolutely delicious served cold.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze them, wait until the glaze is completely set, then wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
You can bring chilled blondies back to room temperature by setting them out for about 30 minutes, or warm them ever-so-slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds if you’d prefer that soft, fresh-from-the-oven sensation (but don’t melt the glaze!).
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best for Strawberry Lemon Blondies because frozen berries tend to release a lot of moisture and can make the bars soggy. If you must use frozen, thaw and blot them very well.
How do I keep my blondies from becoming too gooey or underbaked in the middle?
Make sure you don’t overload the batter with damp strawberries, and always let them cool completely in the pan. Testing with a toothpick is helpful—the blondies should have a few moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Simply double the ingredients and bake in two separate pans for best results, or bake in a sheet pan, watching carefully and adjusting for a slightly longer baking time.
What if I don’t have freeze-dried strawberries for the glaze?
No problem! The glaze will still be vibrant and tangy with just powdered sugar and lemon juice—you’ll miss a little extra strawberry flavor and color, but the Strawberry Lemon Blondies will be delicious either way.
Are these blondies gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can use your favorite one-to-one gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make these Strawberry Lemon Blondies gluten-free. The texture may be slightly different, but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
Bring a little sunshine into your kitchen with these Strawberry Lemon Blondies—each batch is a celebration of bright flavors and home-baked happiness. I can’t wait for you to try them, share them, and maybe make them your new go-to dessert. Let these sweet-tart blondies become a favorite in your recipe box just like they are in mine!
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Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 blondies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet strawberries and zesty lemon with these scrumptious Strawberry Lemon Blondies. These fruity and flavorful treats are perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon snack to a special dessert.
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (diced and lightly patted dry)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon crushed freeze-dried strawberries (optional for color and flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the batter: Cream together butter and sugars, add eggs, lemon juice, and zest. Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine gently with wet ingredients. Fold in diced strawberries.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 28-32 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and freeze-dried strawberries. Drizzle over cooled blondies and allow to set before slicing.
Notes
- Blot strawberries well to avoid excess moisture.
- Store blondies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Enjoy chilled for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
