Cakey Lemon Brownies
These easy-to-make bar cookies have the chewy, cakey texture of a brownie, but all of the bright and tangy flavor of a lemon bar. The batter is made with fresh lemon zest and juice, plus a secret ingredient: a little melted white chocolate, which balances out the acidity, adds creamy sweetness and keeps the crumb moist.
You can enjoy these Cakey Lemon Brownies as-is, but the rich lemon-cream cheese frosting really takes them to another level. Bring these bars to your next get-together or bake sale and prepare to be asked for the recipe!
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest plus 2 Tbsp. fresh juice
• 2 ounces white chocolate, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoons whole milk
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with parchment, and lightly grease.
2. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated after each addition. Beat in lemon zest, juice, and white chocolate. Whisk together flour and baking powder in a small bowl. Fold flour mixture into butter mixture.
3. Pour batter into prepared baking pan, and smooth to edges. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
4. While brownies cool, prepare the Lemon Frosting: Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in powdered sugar on low speed until fully incorporated. Add lemon juice and 1 teaspoon milk; beat on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute, adding remaining 1 teaspoon milk, if needed. Spread over cooled brownies. Cut brownies into squares, and serve.
Accessed from www.southernliving.com/recipes/lemon-brownies