These Vegan Lemon Brownies are super moist, slightly lemony, and the addition of the lemon glaze makes them just over-the-top good!
Vegan Lemon Brownies
These Vegan Lemon Brownies are one of the easiest and quickest recipes I’ve ever made, yet incredibly rewarding. It’s a favorite in my house and one of those desserts that don’t last long on the kitchen counter.
I have been making it for two years now because it’s tasty and easy, and a great alternative when you are looking for something lighter but just as delicious as a rich dark chocolate brownie. The batter itself is to die for! Good luck not licking the spoon and bowl clean!
Tips for the perfect Vegan Lemon Brownies
- First, line the pan with parchment paper. For these brownies, I used an 8-inch /20 cm square cake pan.
- Next, melt the vegan butter and the white chocolate. You won’t get a smooth mixture, that’s normal. While it cools down a bit, whisk together the coconut sugar with the apple sauce.
- Mix both mixtures and stir in the rest of the ingredients: the lemon zest, the lemon juice and the flour.
- After that, scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes.
- Let the brownie cool for at least 30 minutes before removing it from the pan. Meanwhile, make the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar with the lemon juice until smooth.
- Then, use the parchment paper to lift the lemon brownie out of the pan and place it on a wire cooling rack. When the brownie is cold, spread the glaze evenly over it with a spatula, letting the glaze drip down the sides.
- Once the glaze has set, cut into 16 squares.
How to Store Vegan Lemon Brownies
This vegan lemon bars can stay at room temperature on your kitchen counter for up to three days, if you’re making them to consume within this time. If your kitchen gets very hot or humid, then the best way to ensure that the brownies stays as fresh as possible is refrigerating them.
If you’re making these lemon bars in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove them from the fridge between 1-2 hours before serving. Glaze it just before serving.
RECIPE
Vegan Lemon Brownies
Ingredients
For the Vegan Lemon Brownies
- ½ cup plant-based butter room temperature
- 5 ounces vegan white chocolate roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup apple sauce
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- zest of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
For the Vegan Lemon Brownies
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Line a 8-inch/20 cm square cake pan with parchment paper. Lining it makes it easier to remove the brownie once it is baked.
- Start by melting the vegan butter and the white chocolate pieces in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Alternatively, you can put the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds with a rubber spatula. Do not over heat as chocolate burns easily. Let it cool down.
- In a large bowl, mix the apple sauce and the coconut sugar until combined. Add the butter and the molten chocolate and mix well. Stir in the zest of one lemon, the lemon juice, the flour and the baking powder, and blend until all is incorporated. Do not over mix.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. Check for doneness inserting a skewer in the center, it should come out clean or almost clean. Don't cook it for longer, it continues to cook until set, as it cools.
- Remove from the oven. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool for 30 minutes or until cold enough to handle. Using the edges of the parchment paper, lift the cooled brownie out of the pan, and let it cool completely on the wire rack.
For the Lemon Glaze
- Stir the powdered sugar together with the lemon juice until a smooth consistency is reached.
- Pour the glaze over the brownie. Use a knife or a spatula to spread it to the edges of the brownie. Once the glaze has hardened, cut the brownie into 16 squares.
Additional Info
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I love lemon anything and the fact that these are vegan makes these brownies even better! I am dying to make these for desert next, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hi Ramona, you’re welcome! Let me know how it turns out for you! XO
What a delicious and refreshing dessert for spring and summer ! Going to bake some this coming weekend for King’s Coronation party for my friends and family.
Hi Hayley, great choice! I would love to hear how it worked out for you.
This vegan lemon brownies are so delicious. I made them for a friend’s gathering party and they were so easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’m happy you love these lemon brownies. Thanks for the feedback!
These brownies turned out delicious, exactly as described. We love lemon so we doubled the lemon juice and added a bit of lemon extract. It made a lovely dessert.
I’m so happy you loved the brownies, Madelyn! Thank you for the wonderful review!
These were such delicious brownies. I love the vegan version of desserts as I try to eat healthier without giving up all the good stuff. This recipe was a winner!
Hi Kristina, Thanks so much for coming back to comment!
Wow! These vegan brownies look amazingly delicious and very tasty! I love the color too, making these brownies very enticing and tempting! Love everything about this recipe!
I’m so glad! Thanks for commenting!
I made this for a vegan friend that was visiting and he devoured it! No one in my family could believe it was vegan!
So happy that you loved these lemon brownies, Dennis. I appreciate your feed back!
I have not tried vegan lemon brownies before. I love lemon, so this sounds like a great recipe to try!
Hi Ann, I make it several times a year. You have to try it, you will love it!
These squares are just gorgeous, and delicious! I adore the flavor and how easy they are to whip up. Citrus desserts are always my favorite, and these are dreamy!
You’re welcome, Monica! I’m happy you love it. Thanks for the feedback!
So impressed that these are vegan! I love the addition of the apple sauce…makes them super moist! Lemon bars are one of my favorite spring treats! I wish I could reach in and grab one!
Thank you so much, Tammy! I’m super excited to hear that you loved my lemon bars, it’s one of our favorites.
These vegan lemon brownies are the perfect recipe for the spring and summer months. I love how easy and quick this is to put together!
Hi, Leslie! Thank you so much! I am beyond happy to read your positive review.
These vegan lemon brownies were so delicious and easy to make! I loved that you used applesauce for a healthier vegan option. You can’t even tell these are vegan too!
Hi Kathryn, it’s especially exciting to hear non-vegans enjoy my vegan treats So glad you all loved them! Enjoy!
Amazing! These lemon brownies are so bright and cheery. They tasted wonderful and baked with a nice soft and moist texture. Will definitely make them again!!
Hi, Bernice! Thank you so much for your sweet review. I’m thrilled to hear you love the lemon bars! Enjoy!
I am a lemon dessert lover. This would be a great dessert to take to a party. Simple and delicious is always a win.
I do agree, Gloria, simple and delicious is a win. Thanks for commenting.