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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Lemon Cake Mix Brownies

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jul 24, 2021 · Updated: Apr 14, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 11 comments
    4.99 from 59 votes
    Lemon brownies made with cake mix stacked

    This lemon cake mix brownies recipe is made with a cake mix, and only a handful of other ingredients, creating an easy, gooey brownie dessert that lemon lovers adore!

    lemon cake mix brownies

     

    This recipe is inspired by the strawberry brownies that have gone viral on Facebook and being a lemon lover myself, I knew a lemon version of the brownies would be so good as well! If you prefer a less dense lemon brownie, then these lemon blondies may be what you want to make instead.

    Quick Overview: Only 6 ingredients, and a prep time in as little as 5 minutes, you’ll have lemon brownies baked in 20 minutes and the optional glaze recipe! If you love making brownie recipes with cake mixes, then you’re also going to love these red velvet brownies!

    Lemon is delicious any time of year but especially in the summer months! And with this summery dessert, you won’t be standing in front of a hot stove and it only has to be in the oven for 18-20 minutes! This lemon poke cake is another great summer recipe because when chilled, it gives a cool bite to your hot summer! Or, to try your hand at a classic, this lemon meringue pie recipe is one to make too!

    A Dense, Ooey Gooey Brownie

    If you’re looking for a cake-style brownie, this won’t be it! This brownie recipe has an ooey-gooey texture and is very dense and rich!

    With a cake recipe, using a cake mix, most call for water, giving it more of an airy, cakey, texture. This recipe does not use water so it creates a thick, brownie batter.

    If you prefer more of a cake-style, adding a little water may be for you but just keep in mind that it may change the bake time, and it may result in just making a lemon cake, instead of a lemon “brownie”.

    Jump to:
    • A Dense, Ooey Gooey Brownie
    • Lemon Brownie Ingredients
    • Lemon Glaze Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve with Lemon Brownies
    • How to Store Brownies
    • Helpful Tips:
    • Related Posts
    • Recipe
    • Helpful Tips:
    • Comments

    Lemon Brownie Ingredients

    The first part of this recipe is for the brownie batter! All you need is:

    • lemon cake mix – Betty Crocker or Pillsbury have been my favorite. I’ve tried Dunkan Hines for this recipe and it didn’t turn out too great.
    • vegetable oil
    • eggs
    • vanilla extract
    Lemon brownies ingredients

    Lemon Glaze Ingredients

    The second part of this recipe is for the optional (but highly recommended) lemon glaze! Here’s all you need for the glaze:

    • powdered sugar
    • fresh lemon juice
    • (milk is optional, to help thin it out if needed)
    Lemon Glaze Ingredients

    See the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post to get measurements and instructions!

    Instructions

    1. Spray non-stick cooking spray on an 8×8 baking dish.

    Gather all of your ingredients and a medium-sized mixing bowl.

    lemon cake mix in bowl
    1. Pour the cake mix in to your mixing bowl.
    Pouring vegetable oil in to cake mix
    1. Next, add in the vegetable oil
    Add eggs in to cake mix
    1. Then the two eggs
    Pour vanilla in to cake mix
    1. Finally, the vanilla extract
    Mix cake mix with oil, eggs and vanilla
    1. Mix ingredients together until evenly combined. You should have a thick batter like shown in the image below.
    texture of lemon brownie batter
    1. Press brownie batter in to baking dish, in an even layer, making sure the batter touches the sides.
    Spread lemon brownie batter in to 8x8 baking dish
    1. Place baking dish in preheated oven and set timer for 18 minutes.
    Mix together the lemon juice and powdered sugar
    1. While lemon brownies are baking, mix up the lemon glaze if desired. Mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice and stir until evenly comined, creating a consistency similar to the image below.
      If glaze is too thick (you didn’t have enough lemon juice, you can add a teaspoon of milk until it reaches the consistency desired.)
    Lemon glaze consistency
    1. Once brownies are finished baking, (they’re finished when you stick a toothpick in to the center and it comes out clean) remove from the oven and place baking dish on a cooling rack so the brownies can begin to cool.
    baked lemon brownies
    1. Once the brownies have cooled (or at least have cooled off enough to where the brownies are just a tad warm still) pour glaze over the top and spread evenly over the brownies.
    Lemon glaze pouring on top of lemon brownies
    1. Allow glaze to harden (it can sit out at room temperature), which should only take about 10 minutes or so.
    lemon glaze on top of lemon brownies
    1. Once the glaze has hardened, it’s safe to cut the brownies and to serve! They’re delicious a LITTLE warm (they need to be cooled off enough so the glaze hardens) but are also delicious room temperature as well.
    slice brownies in to equal size squares

    What to Serve with Lemon Brownies

    The lemon brownies are very rich and can be enjoyed alone but they’re also incredible, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even sliced sugared strawberries.

    lemon brownies in baking dish

    How to Store Brownies

    Once the brownies have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container, on the counter for 3-4 days. They do not have to be refrigerated, although refrigerating can extend the life of the brownie, to at least a week.

    Lemon Brownies Stacked on white plate

    Helpful Tips:

    • If you prefer more of a cake icing for your brownies, you can use canned frosting instead of the lemon glaze.
    • If you prefer a citrus variety, you can zest limes or oranges and incorporate the zest/juices instead of only lemon.

    Related Posts

    This lemon muddy buddies recipe will knock your socks off! It’s another no-bake dessert or snack that lemon lovers go wild for!

    I also think you’ll love these gluten-free lemon bars!

    If your little one loves having their own lemonade stand, then they’ll love having these brownies, muddy buddies, or lemon bundt cake, to sell along with the lemonade!

    Recipe

    Lemon Brownies Recipe with cake mix

    Lemon Cake Mix Brownies

    Jessica Burgess
    This lemon cake mix brownies recipe is made with a cake mix, and only a handful of other ingredients, creating an easy, gooey brownie that lemon lovers adore!
    4.99 from 59 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 33 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 brownies
    Calories 405 kcal

    Ingredients

    Lemon Brownies

    • 1 box lemon cake mix Betty Crocker brand (with pudding in the mix) is recommended.
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Lemon Glaze

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 juice of 1 lemon
    • 1 teaspoon milk optional, if needing to thin out glaze

    Instructions
     

    For Brownies

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray
    • In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla until evenly combined.
    • Press brownie batter (it will be thick) in to the bottom of the baking dish, pressing it to an evenly layer, making sure it's pressed all the way to the sides.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted in the middle of the brownies and comes out clean.

    Lemon Glaze

    • While baking, mix together lemon glaze if desired. In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and juices from lemon (about 2 tbsp). If glaze is not thin enough to pour, you can add milk by the teaspoon until it has reached the desired consistency. (You do not want it too thin or it will not harden.)
    • Remove brownies from oven and place baking dish on cooling rack so it can begin to cool.
    • Once brownies have cooled, pour the lemon glaze on top of the brownies, spreading with a spoon so that it evenly covers the brownies.
    • Let the brownies sit to allow the glaze to harden and cut brownies in to 9 equal squares (unless you prefer smaller) and serve!

    Notes

    Helpful Tips:

    • I have tried using Duncan Hines lemon cake mix for this recipe and I wasn’t a fan of the result. I recommend Betty Crocker for the best result. 
    • If you prefer more of a cake icing for your brownies, you can use canned frosting instead of the lemon glaze.
    • If you prefer a citrus variety, you can zest limes or oranges and incorporate the zest/juices instead of only lemon.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords brownies recipe, cake mix brownies, lemon brownies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      4.99 from 59 votes (57 ratings without comment)

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    1. Marcia says

      May 14, 2025 at 4:18 pm

      Is it OK to use a lemon cake mix that doesn’t indicate pudding mix included?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        May 15, 2025 at 11:22 am

        Hi Marcia! I’ll say, I’ve tried making these with a cake mix that doesn’t have pudding mix included and they just didn’t turn out like they should – or do with pudding mix. I much prefer the pudding mix. However, if the brownies sit for a day, when using a cake mix without pudding, they’re a little better. I hope that helps. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Chevette Hallback says

      March 30, 2025 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and my wife loves it

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 30, 2025 at 8:45 pm

        I’m so glad that the lemon brownies were a hit! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!

        Reply
    3. Gina says

      September 11, 2024 at 12:47 pm

      I made these yesterday baking for 18 minutes. They are delicious. I cooled them until they were slightly warm, covered with plastic wrap, and left out on the counter. I think they are even better the next day. They became less cakey and more brownie in texture. Also, I added the grated lemon peel to the cake batter.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 11, 2024 at 4:53 pm

        Yummo!! This sounds so good! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Bekki J says

      July 22, 2024 at 8:58 pm

      I added just a few drops of red food coloring in some lemon juice to the batter, and swirled it around so it’s kinda marbled. Then I used the rest of the already colored juice for the glaze so I have Pink Lemonade Cake Mix Brownies. 😊 So good!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 23, 2024 at 9:28 am

        Oh that’s so fun! Thank you so much for sharing what you did in case someone else wants to try it!

        Reply
    5. Jo says

      October 23, 2023 at 12:53 pm

      Made these this a.m. they’re tasty, but I think because I used a 9×9 pan, I probably should have reduced the baking time… as they’re a tad dry

      Reply
    6. cindy3539 says

      July 02, 2023 at 4:52 pm

      4 stars
      these are good, but watch the time. i baked for 20 minutes and they were dry. the glaze is deliciously tart.

      Reply
    7. Suumosmama says

      May 06, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      This tastes awesome! Only thing is, It was very crumbly and fell into pieces when I pulled it off the pan. Tastes good. Made it for mothers day

      Reply

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