Introduction

These Strawberry Lemon Blondies bring together the bright, zesty flavor of fresh lemon with sweet, juicy strawberries in a tender, buttery base. Topped with a tangy strawberry glaze, they make a delightful treat perfect for spring or summer gatherings.

The image shows a stack of three square pieces of light beige cake with visible soft and moist texture. Each piece has swirled, light pink icing on top that looks glossy and slightly creamy. Red chunks of berry, likely strawberry or raspberry, are spread throughout the cake layers, adding bright red spots inside the soft cake. The stack is on a piece of white parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. In front of the cake stack, two silver forks with detailed handles lay side by side. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (measure before sifting)
1 Tbsp strawberry puree (about 2 large strawberries)
lemon juice (about 1 Tbsp, or enough to thin the glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting the long edges hang over the sides to help lift the blondies out later.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the egg until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Add the lemon juice to the mixture and beat just until combined; it’s okay if it doesn’t fully incorporate.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until no dry flour remains.
Step 5: Gently fold in the diced strawberries. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan using a spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moist but not wet. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender. Let cool on a wire rack.
Step 7: To make the glaze, trim and puree the strawberries in a food processor. Strain the puree to get 1 tablespoon. Whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed.
Step 8: Spread the glaze over the cooled blondies and let it set before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture in both the blondies and the glaze.
If you prefer a more tart glaze, add extra lemon juice gradually until you reach your desired taste.
Try folding in chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
To make strawberry puree, gently mash strawberries if you don’t have a food processor, then strain to remove seeds.

Storage

Store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, bring them to room temperature before serving. The glaze may soften slightly when chilled. Reheat individual pieces briefly in the microwave if you prefer a softer texture.

How to Serve

A stack of three square pieces of strawberry cake rests on white parchment paper atop a white marbled surface. Each piece has two visible layers: a moist, light beige cake base with bits of red strawberry mixed inside, and a smooth, pale pink glaze evenly spread on top. The top piece shows a slightly uneven pink glaze with a matte finish. To the left of the stack, there are two halved fresh strawberries showing their bright red color and seeds. Two silver forks with ornate handles are placed on the paper near the cake stack. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries are best for texture and flavor, but if using frozen, thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture that could affect the blondie batter.

Is there a substitute for lemon juice in the recipe?

You can substitute lemon juice with lime juice for a similar tangy flavor, though the taste will be slightly different. Avoid using bottled lemon juice with additives for the best results.