Delicious lemon brownie recipe uses just one bowl and NO butter (2024)

Every chocolate lover knows that when it comes to a warm, fudgy dessert, nothing beats brownies. But, did you know the greatness that is the brownie doesn’t stop at chocolate?

As it turns out, there are other brownies out there to be had that boast some pretty unique and amazing flavors.

And this recipe for lemon brownies has us running for the kitchen!

Delicious lemon brownie recipe uses just one bowl and NO butter (1)

What makes this recipe so special isn’t just the amazing taste and texture of these “brownies”, but also how easy they are to make.

Inspired by Jenny Can Cook, these lemon brownies don’t even use butter in the ingredients, and the very best part? They don’t require much effort, either. Like, you don’t even need a mixer!

Delicious lemon brownie recipe uses just one bowl and NO butter (2)

So, how do you make these delectable, sweet, and tart dessert treats? Easy. First, gather your ingredients together.

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup of all-purpose white or wheat pastry flour (that’s right, wheat flour works perfectly for these brownies)
  • 3/4 cups of sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 tsp. of baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt (make sure it has at least 2% fat) or sour cream
  • 3 Tblsp. vegetable oil
  • The zest of 2 lemons + 2 Tblsp. of fresh lemon juice

For the glaze, you’ll need:

  • 1 heaping cup of powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
  • zest and juice of one large lemon
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Step 1:

Now that you have everything gathered, preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8 x 8-inch cake pan with aluminum foil. Make sure to leave 2 to 3 inches of excess foil sticking up above the sides of the pan. This way you can use it to lift the brownies from the pan after they’re done.

Step 2:

Next, zest your lemons. There are many ways to get this job done and several types of zesters. Our favorite is the long, thin, handheld zester made specifically for the purpose.

If you don’t happen to have one of these lying around, though, Jenny points out that you can also use a standard box grater. Just be sure to use the side with all the tiny holes with “teeth” on them. You know- the side that you almost never use.

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Step 3:

The next thing you’ll do is add all of your ingredients into a medium sized mixing bowl (use a large bowl if you intend to double the batch).

After you’ve added the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, eggs, yogurt, oil, and lemon zest to the bowl, cut open one of the lemons and squeeze the juice until you have at least 2 tablespoons. Make sure to catch or remove any seeds before proceeding to the next step.

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Step 4:

Now it’s time to mix it all up! Using a spatula, fork, or what-have-you, mix up everything in the bowl and stir for roughly 30 seconds or so. You want the batter to have a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 5:

Once you do, go ahead and pour the batter directly into your foil-covered baking pan. No need to grease here, folks!

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This recipe makes a relatively thick batter, so don’t be afraid to push it out to the corners of your pan and try to get an even spread on it.

Step 6:

Then pop your lemon brownies in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. In the meantime, while the brownies are baking, now is the perfect time to whip up the icing.

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Step 7:

This step couldn’t possibly be any more simple.

Pour the powdered sugar and 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl and stir together until a nice, beautiful glaze forms. This can take a while, Jenny explains, and at first, it might not seem like there is enough lemon juice.

Just keep on stirring, though, (roughly 20-30 seconds) and the powdered sugar will combine with the lemon juice and come together into the perfect glaze. Add in the remaining lemon zest and give it a stir.

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After 20 minutes have passed, pull your brownies from the oven.

Allow them to cool off for about 10 minutes, then pull up on the foil “handles” you created at the beginning. Holding over a piece of wax or parchment paper, gently peel the foil from the bottom of the brownies as you brace the top of them with one hand. Then, place the bottom-side down onto the paper.

Step 8:

Then, drizzle your lemon icing over the top of it to spread it all over the top of the brownies, allowing it to run down all the sides.

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Now there is nothing left to do but slice into your lemon brownies and enjoy!

To get the full tutorial with all the delicious visuals, watch the video below.

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Delicious lemon brownie recipe uses just one bowl and NO butter (11)

By Jessica Adler

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Jessica Adler is a contributor at SBLY Media.

Delicious lemon brownie recipe uses just one bowl and NO butter (2024)

FAQs

Can I substitute oil for butter in brownie mix? ›

Note that while some brownie recipes do call for melted butter instead of oil, the butter can aerate the batter, altering the texture of the brownies and making them cakey rather than fudgy. So, while you can substitute butter for oil and vice versa, remember that it might alter the texture.

Why is butter important in brownies? ›

In some cakes, brownies and cookies, melted butter adds richness to dough and allows ingredients to blend together easily. Melted-butter desserts are often very simple for new cooks to make, and the desserts often require no special equipment.

Is it better to make brownies with butter or oil? ›

Oil Brownies: These were chewier with crunchier edges and a crunchier topping. They were more matte on top with a far less crinkly shiny brownie 'skin. ' They tasted more like box mix brownies. Butter Brownies: These were much fudgier, softer, and had a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

What can I add to brownie mix to make it better? ›

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

What can I replace butter with in brownies? ›

WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
  1. MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
  2. SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
  3. OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  4. COCONUT OIL. ...
  5. PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
  6. APPLESAUCE. ...
  7. GREEK YOGURT. ...
  8. BANANAS.

Can I use olive oil instead of butter in brownies? ›

Home bakers, too, increasingly are foregoing the butter and baking cakes, tortes, brownies and more with olive oil. Swapping olive oil for butter cuts saturated fat. Plus, good olive oil adds a wonderful, nuanced flavor to baked goods and keeps them moist.

What happens if you don't add butter to brownies? ›

I forgot to add 1/2 a stick of butter to my brownies (2.5 was needed), what will happen to the brownies? They will likely be either dry or flat, unfortunately without butter they won't taste as good or be bouncy.

How much oil do I need for 1 cup of butter? ›

Butter to Oil Conversion
BUTTER/MARGARINEOLIVE OIL
1/2 Cup1/4 Cup + 2 Tablespoons
2/3 Cup1/2 Cup
3/4 Cup1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon
1 Cup3/4 Cup
5 more rows

Do you need butter in brownie mix? ›

Most boxed mixes call for vegetable oil, which gives brownies a lighter texture and more neutral flavor. To make them taste homemade, try substituting equal amounts of melted butter for the oil.

Can I use milk instead of water in brownies? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Which oil is best for brownies? ›

Traditionally, brownies are made with sugar, flour, eggs, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and vegetable oil. However, most recipes call for butter or a neutral product like canola oil.

How much butter to use in brownie mix instead of oil? ›

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›

They give brownies a lighter, drier, and more cake-like texture. If you prefer this over the chewy variety, then go ahead and crack in that additional egg. On the other hand, too many eggs will yield brownies that are hard, heavy, and tough.

Does letting brownie batter sit make it better? ›

Alice Medrich, author of Seriously Bitter Sweet: The Ultimate Dessert Maker's Guide to Chocolate, writes that “refrigerating the brownie batter in the pan for several hours, or as long as two days before baking, wreaks enormous transformations: it improves the top gloss and crustiness, and it also blends the flavors so ...

How do you doctor up brownie mix? ›

A splash of vanilla and a dash of espresso powder are just two ways to make a box of brownie mix better. With these hacks, you'll have yourself a shortcut dessert that tastes like it's made from scratch.

Can I substitute oil in brownie mix? ›

If you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, peanut butter might just be the best vegetable oil substitute for you. For a lighter brownie, just about half as much peanut butter. For a chewy fudgy brownie, use just as much peanut butter as the recipe calls for vegetable oil.

How much oil do you put in brownie mix? ›

Prep Instructions. *For cakelike brownies, use 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 3 eggs. Instructions: 1 Heat oven as directed in chart below.

How much vegetable oil is equal to a stick of butter? ›

For example, if a recipe calls for one stick of butter (8 tablespoons), use 6 tablespoons of oil.

Do brownie mixes need butter? ›

Unsalted melted butter – Most box brownie recipes call for vegetable oil, but swapping it out with with melted butter helps create chewy, fudgy texture with rich bakery-style flavor.

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