Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe

These Strawberry Lemon Blondies are a burst of sunshine in every bite! They’re wonderfully easy to make, perfect for those of us who crave a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen. Think chewy blondie base, studded with juicy strawberries and topped with a tangy lemon glaze – it’s a flavor combination that’s simply irresistible. Best of all, you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already, making this a perfect recipe for a last-minute dessert or a delightful addition to any gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you’ll be enjoying these blondies in under an hour. The hands-on time is minimal, which is a huge win for busy weeknights or spontaneous baking sessions.
• Delicious Flavor Combination: The bright, citrusy lemon paired with the sweet, summery strawberries creates a truly delightful flavor profile. The blondie base adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness that ties everything together.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re bringing a treat to a potluck, need a simple dessert for a family dinner, or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, these blondies are always a hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Unsalted Butter: It’s essential to use room temperature butter for a smooth and creamy batter.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the perfect sweetness and structure to the blondies.
• Large Egg: It binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the batter.
• Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice: Don’t even think about using bottled lemon juice. Fresh is the only way to go for that vibrant lemon flavor!
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the blondies, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: It gives the blondies a slight lift, ensuring they’re not too dense.
• Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• Fresh Strawberries: They add a burst of juicy sweetness and a pop of color. Choose ripe, fragrant strawberries for the best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: This creates the smooth and sweet glaze. Sifting ensures a lump-free finish.
• Strawberry Puree: Made from fresh strawberries, the puree adds intense strawberry flavor and color to the glaze.
• Lemon Juice: It thins out the glaze and adds a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.

Variations

• Spiced Blondies: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, cozy flavor.
• Citrus Zest: Enhance the lemon flavor by adding lemon zest to both the blondie batter and the glaze.
• Berry Mix: Experiment with different berries! Blueberries, raspberries, or even a mix of berries would work beautifully.
• Nutty Blondies: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch and nutty flavor.

How to Make Strawberry Lemon Blondies

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This will make removing the blondies later a breeze!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is where a good electric mixer comes in handy, but you can also do it by hand – just be prepared for a bit of a workout.

Step 3: Add Egg and Lemon Juice

Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then, add the fresh lemon juice and mix well. Don’t worry if the lemon juice doesn’t fully blend in at this stage; it will all come together in the next step.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies.

Step 5: Fold in Strawberries

Gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. The batter will be quite thick, so take your time and use a spatula to ensure it fills the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Be careful not to overbake, as this can make the blondies dry.

Step 7: Cool

Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before glazing.

Step 8: Prepare Strawberry Puree

While the blondies are cooling, prepare the strawberry puree for the glaze. Trim about 2 large strawberries and puree them in a small food processor. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds and pulp, leaving you with about 1 tablespoon of smooth strawberry puree.

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Step 9: Make the Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until smooth and lump-free. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Step 10: Glaze and Slice

Once the blondies are completely cool, spread the glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Measure the flour correctly. Use the spoon and level method. This ensures you don’t add too much flour, which can result in dry blondies.
• Don’t skip the parchment paper! It makes removing the blondies from the pan so much easier and prevents them from sticking.
• Adjust the glaze to your liking. Add more or less lemon juice to achieve your desired level of tanginess.
• Test your glaze. Do a little test before glazing your blondies. Spoon a bit of glaze on the blondies and see how it does…if it soaks right in it is too thin you can add more sugar. If it’s too thick you can thin it down with more puree or lemon juice.

How to Serve

These Strawberry Lemon Blondies are delicious on their own, but they can also be paired with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream: The cold, creamy ice cream complements the warm blondies perfectly.
• Fresh berries: Serve alongside a bowl of mixed berries for an extra burst of flavor.
• A cup of tea or coffee: These blondies are the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon beverage.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They are best enjoyed fresh, but they will still be delicious the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze these blondies for longer storage. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheating

If you want to warm up the blondies, you can microwave them for a few seconds or reheat them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. Be sure to thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before dicing and adding them to the batter.

2. What if I don’t have parchment paper?
If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease and flour the baking pan instead. Make sure to coat the entire pan evenly to prevent the blondies from sticking.

3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these blondies gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just be sure to choose a blend that is designed for baking and follow the instructions on the package.

4. Can I use strawberry jam instead of making strawberry puree?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Strawberry jam is much sweeter, and would be too sweet combined with the powdered sugar in the glaze, the fresh strawberries are the best choice.

Final Thoughts

Go ahead and give these Strawberry Lemon Blondies a try! They are simple to whip up, packed with flavor, and sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy the process, experiment with variations, and most importantly, savor every delicious bite!

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