Description
These Lemon Cream Cheese Brownies are a delightful twist on traditional brownies, offering a tangy and creamy flavor profile. Featuring a soft, moist texture with a rich lemon cream cheese frosting, this recipe is perfect for a refreshing dessert or a special treat that combines the sweetness of brownies with a citrusy zing.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) softened salted butter
- 3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3-4 drops yellow food coloring
Icing
- Powdered sugar (amount not specified, approximately 1 cup recommended)
- Lemon juice (about 1-2 tablespoons to taste)
- Optional: Yellow sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s ready for baking the brownies.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with non-stick cooking spray, which will help with easy removal of the brownies once baked.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and all-purpose flour, mixing them well to ensure even distribution.
- Add Butter and Cream Cheese: To the dry mixture, add the softened salted butter and softened cream cheese. Beat the mixture until it becomes creamy and smooth, indicating that all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, lemon juice, and yellow food coloring to the batter. Stir the mixture gently and thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined, producing a vibrant yellow batter.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Cool the Brownies: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely for about 30 minutes. Cooling is essential before adding the icing to prevent melting and sliding.
- Prepare and Add Icing: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with lemon juice to create a smooth, pourable icing. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice as needed. Pour the icing evenly over the cooled brownies and spread it out with a spatula.
- Optional Decoration: Sprinkle yellow sprinkles over the icing for added color and festive appeal.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut the brownies into 9 squares and serve, enjoying the delightful combination of lemon tang and creamy texture.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- If you don’t have yellow food coloring, the lemon juice alone will provide a natural pale yellow tint.
- Adjust the lemon juice in the icing to suit your preferred level of tartness.
- Use parchment paper to easily lift the brownies out of the pan without breaking.
- For an extra moist texture, do not overbake; start checking at 18 minutes.
