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!
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:
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 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)
See the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post to get measurements and instructions!
Instructions
- Spray non-stick cooking spray on an 8×8 baking dish.
Gather all of your ingredients and a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Pour the cake mix in to your mixing bowl.
- Next, add in the vegetable oil
- Then the two eggs
- Finally, the vanilla extract
- Mix ingredients together until evenly combined. You should have a thick batter like shown in the image below.
- Press brownie batter in to baking dish, in an even layer, making sure the batter touches the sides.
- Place baking dish in preheated oven and set timer for 18 minutes.
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- Allow glaze to harden (it can sit out at room temperature), which should only take about 10 minutes or so.
- 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.
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.
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.
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 Cake Mix Brownies
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
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.
Marcia says
Is it OK to use a lemon cake mix that doesn’t indicate pudding mix included?
Jessica says
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. 🙂
Chevette Hallback says
I made this and my wife loves it
Jessica says
I’m so glad that the lemon brownies were a hit! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!
Gina says
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.
Jessica says
Yummo!! This sounds so good! Thank you for sharing!
Bekki J says
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!
Jessica says
Oh that’s so fun! Thank you so much for sharing what you did in case someone else wants to try it!
Jo says
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
cindy3539 says
these are good, but watch the time. i baked for 20 minutes and they were dry. the glaze is deliciously tart.
Suumosmama says
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