Description
Delight in these vibrant Strawberry Lemon Blondies, bursting with fresh strawberry chunks and a zesty lemon glaze. This easy-to-make dessert combines buttery sweetness with a refreshing citrus twist, making it perfect for spring and summer treats or anytime you crave a fruity, tender blondie.
Ingredients
Batter
- 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 (about 2 large strawberries)
- Lemon juice, as needed to thin the glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature before baking.
- Prepare the baking pan: Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender blondie texture.
- Add the egg: Beat in the large egg thoroughly to bind the mixture.
- Incorporate lemon juice: Mix in the 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice until evenly combined, adding a bright citrus flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the blondies.
- Fold in strawberries: Gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed without crushing them.
- Spread batter and bake: Pour and evenly spread the batter into the lined baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Make strawberry glaze: While the blondies bake, trim and puree fresh strawberries to prepare about 1 tablespoon of strawberry puree. In a small bowl, whisk the puree with sifted powdered sugar and enough lemon juice to attain a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Glaze the blondies: Once the blondies are completely cooled, spread the strawberry-lemon glaze evenly across the top.
- Set and serve: Allow the glaze to set before slicing into 12 squares and serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the blondies tender.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more powdered sugar (thicker) or lemon juice (thinner).
- You can substitute the lemon juice in the batter for lemon zest for a less tart but flavorful variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.