Name: Zesty Lemon Brownies: Cake Mix Hack
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (15.5 ounce) box lemon cake mix; 1/3 cup canola oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 - 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, or as needed; 1 Tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated; 1-2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Brownie

Easy Lemon Cake Mix Brownies

Sep 14, 2025
by Abdiel Simonis
- 5.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

20 mins
TOTAL TIME

50 mins
SERVING

12 People
VIEWS

3

These bright and cheerful lemon brownies offer a delightful twist on the classic treat. With a tangy glaze that perfectly complements the moist, lemony base, they're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion or simply a sunny afternoon indulgence.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 (15.5 ounce) box lemon cake mix

1/3 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 - 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, or as needed

1 Tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated

1-2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

58 g
Cholesterol

31 mg
Fiber

1 g
Protein

2 g
Saturated Fat

1 g
Sodium

306 mg
Sugar

43 g
Fat

8 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease an 11x7-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. (Prep time: 5 minutes)

02

Step

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix. (Mixing time: 3 minutes)

03

Step

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking. (Assembly time: 2 minutes)

04

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 16 to 18 minutes. (Baking time: 16-18 minutes)

05

Step

Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before frosting. This prevents the glaze from melting. (Cooling time: 20 minutes)

06

Step

While the brownies are cooling, prepare the lemon glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of confectioner’s sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Add more sugar as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Stir in salt. (Glaze prep: 5 minutes)

07

Step

Once the brownies are sufficiently cooled, spread the lemon glaze evenly over the top. (Glazing time: 2 minutes)

08

Step

Let the glazed brownies stand until the glaze is completely set. For a firmer glaze, refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into 12 squares. (Setting time: 30 minutes)

For an extra burst of lemon flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter.
Be sure to zest the lemon before juicing it for maximum flavor.
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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Abdiel Simonis

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.