Meet your new favorite bake: Strawberry Lemon Blondies! These bars are buttery, citrusy, and bursting with pockets of sweet-tart strawberries, all crowned with a glossy pink strawberry lemon glaze. Trust me, one bite and you’ll fall head over heels for this bright twist on the classic blondie.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Flavors for Every Season: The combination of juicy strawberries and real lemon juice makes these blondies feel like a bite of summer, any time of year.
- Super Easy, No Mixer Required: You’ll only need basic ingredients and simple steps—making this the ultimate stress-free treat for bakers of any level.
- Buttery, Soft Texture: These Strawberry Lemon Blondies are tender and moist, never dry, with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- That Dreamy Pink Glaze: The naturally pink strawberry lemon glaze is almost too pretty to eat—almost!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of pantry staples and fresh produce are all you need to whip up these easy Strawberry Lemon Blondies. Every ingredient brings something special to the table, from bright flavor to irresistible color and texture!
- Unsalted butter: The base of these blondies, butter adds richness and makes each bite velvety soft. Room temperature is key for easy creaming!
- Sugar: Gives sweetness and helps create that signature crackly top.
- Egg: It’s the secret to binding and that perfect, chewy, blondie texture.
- Fresh lemon juice: Zesty and bright, lemon juice lifts the whole flavor profile and balances the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the sturdy yet tender crumb that holds the juicy strawberries in place.
- Baking powder: Just a touch, to help the bars rise ever so slightly.
- Salt: A pinch brings out the flavors and keeps things from getting too sweet.
- Fresh strawberries: Diced strawberries bake up into jammy bursts of color and fruitiness throughout the blondies.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for that silky-smooth, glossy glaze.
- Strawberry puree: Real strawberry flavor (and a beautiful natural pink!) for the glaze—blitz up a couple of berries and you’re set.
- Extra lemon juice (for the glaze): Just enough to thin the glaze for easy spreading and a zippy finish.
Variations
There are endless ways to personalize your Strawberry Lemon Blondies and make them your own. Whether you want to shake things up for a special event or tailor the recipe to your dietary needs, these simple swaps don’t sacrifice any of the magic.
- Swap the fruit: Try replacing strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or even diced cherries for fun new flavors.
- Gluten-free option: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour to make these blondies celiac-friendly.
- Make it dairy-free: Substitute plant-based butter and double-check your glaze ingredients to keep things lactose-free.
- Double down on lemon: For extra citrus zing, add a bit of lemon zest to the batter and glaze.
How to Make Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides—this makes lifting out your Strawberry Lemon Blondies a total breeze later on for perfect slicing and easy glazing!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step creates that classic blondie base with a tender crumb, so don’t rush it—give those ingredients a few minutes to really blend together.
Step 3: Add Egg and Lemon Juice
Beat in the egg until completely incorporated. Next, mix in the lemon juice; your batter might look a little curdled at this point, but that’s totally normal and everything comes together in the next steps.
Step 4: Dry Ingredients and Strawberries
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until you no longer see dry streaks. Gently fold in your diced strawberries—the batter will be thick, but that’s the goal for sturdy, moist bars.
Step 5: Spread, Bake, and Cool
Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly—take your time, as this batter is thick and loves to cling to your spatula! Bake for 30–35 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the middle is set (a toothpick will come out moist, not wet). Let cool completely in the pan before glazing.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Lemon Glaze
While the blondies cool, puree a couple of strawberries (about 2 large ones) and strain to get about 1 tablespoon of smooth puree. Whisk with powdered sugar and a bit of lemon juice until you reach a glossy, spreadable consistency—add more sugar if it’s too thin or more lemon if it’s too thick.
Step 7: Glaze and Slice
Lift the cooled blondies from the pan and spread the glaze all over the top, letting it drip down the sides for extra drama. Allow the glaze to set before slicing into squares. Enjoy your first taste—bet you can’t stop at one!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Lemon Blondies
- Room-Temperature Butter Makes a Difference: Soft, not melted, butter is crucial for creaming with sugar and achieving a lighter, fluffier blondie base.
- Cut Strawberries Small: Dice your strawberries into small, even pieces for even baking and pretty bursts of color in every slice.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the blondies once the edges are set and slightly golden—overbaking means dry bars, and these are at their best when moist!
- Let Blondies Cool Before Glazing: If you add glaze while the bars are warm, it will melt right off. Patience pays off with a perfect pink finish!
How to Serve Strawberry Lemon Blondies
Garnishes
The glaze already gives these blondies a gorgeous finish, but for extra flair, top each piece with a thin strawberry slice, a sprinkling of fresh lemon zest, or even a few edible flowers. It’s honestly hard to make these Strawberry Lemon Blondies look anything but stunning!
Side Dishes
Pair your blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a hot day, or serve them alongside a cup of black tea or tangy lemonade for the ultimate afternoon treat. Their zingy flavor makes them a lovely contrast to creamy, mellow desserts on a potluck table as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your blondies into triangles or mini squares for a chic dessert platter, or turn them into decadent blondie sundaes with a drizzle of extra strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Stack them in a gift box lined with parchment for the prettiest homemade present you’ll ever give!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Strawberry Lemon Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 4–5 days. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to keep the glaze looking beautiful and the bars moist.
Freezing
These blondies freeze surprisingly well! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick, fresh-tasting treat when the craving strikes.
Reheating
If you prefer your blondies slightly warm, pop a piece in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. Be cautious—any longer and the glaze may melt. They’re honestly delicious chilled, room temp, or just barely warm!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for these blondies?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch! Be sure to thaw and drain them very well before dicing and folding into the batter—excess moisture could make the bars soggy.
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Why is my glaze too runny or too thick?
If your glaze is too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thick, whisk in a few drops more lemon juice at a time. The right glaze should be glossy and easily spreadable, but not so thin that it runs off the bars.
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Do these blondies need to be refrigerated?
They don’t have to be, but if your kitchen is warm or humid, storing Strawberry Lemon Blondies in the fridge will keep them fresh a little longer. Always store in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
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Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Check for doneness around 35 minutes, but it may take a little longer—look for those golden edges and a set center.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a treat that’s equal parts cozy and bright, these Strawberry Lemon Blondies are guaranteed to bring sunshine to your day. I hope you’ll make them soon and share the joy (and that dreamy pink glaze) with someone you love—because baking is always sweeter together!
Print
Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the delightful combination of fresh strawberries and zesty lemon in these delectable Strawberry Lemon Blondies. These fruity, moist blondies are perfect for any occasion, from a sweet treat at home to a party dessert.
Ingredients
Blondies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 Tbsp strawberry puree (from about 2 large strawberries)
- Lemon juice, as needed to thin the glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg followed by the lemon juice.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and add to the wet ingredients. Mix until no dry flour remains.
- Fold in the diced strawberries, spread the mixture in the pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Make the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice. Spread over the cooled blondies.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the blondie batter.
- Ensure the glaze is fully set before slicing to get clean cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blondie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
