Luscious Lemon "Brownies"

I know, I know. Brownies are supposed to be BROWN--as in, ooey, gooey, and oozing with tons of  chocolatey goodness. I haven't forgotten! But you know me and my lemons...I saw this recipe on Becky Charms and couldn't help myself!

This is how most of my recipes start: I have an ingredient remaining from a previous recipe and I need to use it before it spoils. In today's case, I used the two lemons left from the white chocolate blondies I made a few weeks ago (delicious little guys!)

These turned out moist, light, and lemony--a perfect way to follow the Caprese salad I made earlier! This glaze is incredibly sweet, which I typically don't like, so feel free to adjust it to your tastes.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 rounded cup powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4-8 teaspoons lemon zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease or spray an 8x8 baking pan; set aside.

Zest and juice two small/large lemons; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and softened butter until combined (you can use a stand mixer or hand mixer). In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined. Pour into the flour mixture and beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. 

Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before glazing.  Do not overbake, or the bars will be dry.

To make the glaze, sift the powdered sugar, add lemon zest and juice, and whisk together all three ingredients. Spread 1/2 the glaze over the brownies with a rubber spatula.  Let glaze set.  Spread the remaining glaze over the bars, and let it set. (This glaze sets but does not harden like most).  Cut into bars and serve!