Quick Summary: Quick Summary: Tender lemon blondies topped with a Limoncello-spiked frosting and fresh citrus zest. Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any spring celebration. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 20 min | Makes: 16 bars
Jump to: RECIPE | What is a Blondie? | Using Limoncello | How to Make It? | More Citrus Recipes | FAQ
This blondie (a non-chocolate brownie) is a lemony, tender bar with a Limoncello-spiked frosting. Perfect for easy Spring baking, Easter, Mother’s Day or to ward off the Winter doldrums! Citrus is always a refreshing flavor in Spring, and the Limoncello frosting really enhances the citrus flavor.
Sometimes serendipity hands you a prize, and these blondies are just that…a prize.
While on a phone conversation with my daughter, she interrupted me by saying “Just what are lemonade brownies?” What? Who said anything about lemonade brownies? Not me. HOWEVER, we both decided that sounded like something we’d like to taste.
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What is a Blondie?
A “blondie” is a rich, sweet dessert bar, also known as a blonde brownie. It is similar to a traditional chocolate brownie but usually substitutes vanilla for the cocoa used in brownies.
Blondies are also often made with brown sugar, which tends to be a more noticeable flavor in blondies than in regular brownies. You can use light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, or a combination of the two.
Tip: Using all dark brown sugar will give the blondies a richer taste and all light brown sugar will offer a lighter taste. I often use dark brown if in Winter and light brown in Spring.
After experimenting with four different blondie recipes, I created this Limoncello Blondie…a lemony, tender blondie with a Limoncello-spiked frosting. A winner!
Flavoring Food with Limoncello
As I was experimenting with the different recipes trying to create the “best” blondies, I upped the lemon flavor by adding some Limoncello. Liqueurs can really enhance the flavor of food.
Most of the alcohol burns off and you end up with about the same amount of alcohol in your food as if you used vanilla.
These delectable blondies were sent to my kids as an Easter care package when they were in college. I’ve since been requested to make them every Easter!
How to Make Limoncello Blondies
The ingredient and recipe details are listed in the recipe card below. In short, cream butter and sugar, add eggs, lemon juice, zest, and optional Fiori di Sicilia oil. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes until just set. Cool completely, then top with a frosting made from powdered sugar, butter, Limoncello, and lemon juice. Finish with fresh citrus zest.
FAQ
A blondie is a dense, chewy bar similar to a brownie but made with vanilla instead of cocoa. Brown sugar gives it a slightly caramel-like flavor. Think of it as a brownie’s lighter, vanilla-flavored cousin.
An Italian lemon liqueur made by steeping lemon zest in alcohol and sweetening it. Most of the alcohol cooks off in the frosting, leaving concentrated lemon flavor.
Yes. Substitute extra lemon juice for the Limoncello in the frosting. The flavor will be less complex but still delicious.
An Italian flavoring oil that combines citrus and vanilla. It’s optional but adds a wonderful aroma. Find it at specialty baking stores or online.
Light brown sugar gives a lighter, more delicate flavor that works well in spring. Dark brown sugar makes a richer, more molasses-forward blondie better suited to fall or winter.
In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. The frosting may soften at room temperature.
More Citrus Recipes for Spring
Classic blondies are definitely not low-carb or low-sugar (but they are delicious). If you want lighter, low-carb treats for Easter or Spring celebrations, try one of these:
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Limoncello Blondies
Equipment
- 8 x 8 baking pan
- Bowls and measuring spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar white sugar or light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia oil optional, but really smells great
- ¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Linoncello Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Limoncello liqueur
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- citrus zest for garnish, can use lemon or orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 ° F. Spray 8 x 8 baking pan with cooking spray, or alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper making sure it comes above the edge of the pan.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).1/2 cup unsalted butter , 3/4 cup sugar
- Turn the mixer to low speed and add eggs, one at a time, mixing until thoroughly blended in.2 eggs
- Add lemon juice, lemon zest and Fiori oil (if using) to the mix and blend until just combined.3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia oil
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold this dry mix into the lemon batter with a slotted spoon until blended. Do not overmix.3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until just set, or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Edges will be light brown. Remove from oven and cool on a rack about 15 minutes.
- When blondies are completely cooled remove from pan. Whisk together all of the icing ingredients except the zest and spread over the top of the blondies with a knife (can blend the icing ingredients together in mixer if preferred).1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons Limoncello liqueur, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- With a microplane grater held over the top of the iced blondies, grate lemons and oranges, letting the zest fall lightly on the icing.citrus zest
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