Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze Recipe
If you’re searching for a show-stopping treat that blends brightness, tenderness, and a little sneaky veggie goodness, let me introduce you to the Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze. These bars are soft, moist, full of zesty lemon flavor, and beautifully flecked with bits of zucchini that melt right into the batter. Finished with a silky lemon glaze, they’re the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a picnic, a brunch, or just to add a little sunshine to your snack time, you’ll find yourself coming back to these again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these bars lies in a handful of pantry staples, a couple of lemons, and a single humble zucchini. Each ingredient plays a starring role, enhancing the taste, texture, or that gorgeous yellow color. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a tip for each to make your Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze simply out of this world:
- All-purpose flour: The backbone for the structure, keeping bars soft but never dense.
- Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift, helping the bars rise perfectly.
- Baking soda: Works with the yogurt and lemon juice for extra tenderness.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens and balances all that sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Whip it well for a base that’s fluffy and rich in flavor.
- Granulated sugar: A must for the perfect sweetness and golden crust.
- Eggs: Hold everything together and help create the moist, cakey crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the lemon and adds an extra floral note.
- Plain yogurt or sour cream: Use whichever you have—the tang plays up the lemon and ensures softness.
- Grated zucchini (lightly squeezed): Sneaks in moisture and a hint of color; don’t skip squeezing or bars may get soggy!
- Fresh lemon juice: Go fresh for that bright, just-picked citrus hit.
- Lemon zest: It’s all about those fragrant essential oils—zest first, juice after!
- Powdered sugar: What makes the glaze dreamy-smooth.
- Milk or lemon juice (for glaze): Adjust for your perfect glaze consistency and tartness.
How to Make Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze
Step 1: Get That Pan Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your trusty 8×8-inch pan, grease it generously, and add a little flour or a parchment sling. This helps the bars release effortlessly and ensures the perfect, golden edges we all love.
Step 2: Dry Ingredients, Thoroughly Combined
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Giving these ingredients a quick mix makes sure your bars bake up evenly with no sneaky pockets of flour or leaveners. Simple but so important.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This right here is what adds air and tenderness, so don’t rush it—you want that lovely pale yellow look.
Step 4: Eggs and Vanilla Go In
Add in your eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each for a truly smooth batter. Then gently stir in your vanilla extract, which compliments all that lemony goodness in your Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze.
Step 5: Mix the Tangy Wet Ingredients
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the yogurt (or sour cream) and fresh lemon juice. This mixture brings moisture, tang, and a rich mouthfeel you can’t get from milk alone.
Step 6: Alternating Dry and Wet Mixtures
Now bring everything together! Alternate adding the flour mixture and the tangy yogurt mixture to the creamed butter and sugar, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined—over-mixing makes a heavy bar, and we want these light as a cloud.
Step 7: Fold in Zucchini and Lemon Zest
With a gentle hand, fold in your grated zucchini (that you squeezed dry earlier) and the fragrant lemon zest. These add irresistible flavor and keep the bars beautifully moist.
Step 8: Into the Pan and Oven
Pour your batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it to all the corners with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a bakery in the south of France!
Step 9: Cool Down Time
Let the bars cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. They need a bit of time to firm up so you get clean, pretty slices later.
Step 10: Whisk Together the Luscious Glaze
While your bars cool, whip up the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with either milk or lemon juice. For extra punch, try more lemon juice! The glaze should be silky and just pourable—not too thin. This is where the Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze really shine.
Step 11: Glaze and Set
Once your bars are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze evenly over the top. Let it set before slicing—the wait is hard but worth every second. Now admire your work and get ready to dig in!
How to Serve Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze
Garnishes
For garnish, I love to sprinkle a pinch of extra lemon zest or thin lemon slices across the top for color and a burst of flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a few edible flowers nestled into the glaze add a showstopping finish that looks as stunning as it tastes.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving these at a brunch or gathering, pair your Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze with a fresh fruit salad, a bowl of berries, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. For a truly decadent touch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is never the wrong choice.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into triangles for a playful tray, or use a cookie cutter for fun shapes if you’re serving little ones. Stack them up on a pretty cake stand or tuck them into cupcake liners for portable picnic sweets—so many ways to make these bars the star of the show!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze store beautifully! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. The bars stay moist, and the glaze stays glossy and delicious—if you have any left at all, that is.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze your bars, wait until the glaze is fully set. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then pop them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and enjoy a taste of summer anytime!
Reheating
To freshen up chilled bars, zap them in the microwave for just 5-10 seconds. If you love a warm treat, this briefly melts the glaze and releases all that bright lemon aroma. Just be careful not to overheat, as the glaze can get too runny.
FAQs
Can I use yellow squash instead of zucchini?
Absolutely! Yellow squash has a similar mild flavor and moisture content, and it blends right in. Your bars will look slightly different but the taste and texture remain spot-on.
How can I get more lemon flavor in the bars?
For even more lemon punch, try adding an extra half-tablespoon of zest or stir a few drops of pure lemon extract into the batter or glaze. Just be careful, as lemon extract is potent—a little goes a long way!
Can I make Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze gluten-free?
Yes! Swap in an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend for the regular flour. Look for a blend that includes xanthan gum for the best texture. Otherwise, the bars come out just as moist and bright.
Will the zucchini make the bars taste weird?
Not at all! Zucchini is so mild it’s nearly impossible to detect in the final bars—it simply adds incredible moisture and delicate specks throughout. Even picky eaters won’t notice.
What’s the best way to squeeze excess moisture from the zucchini?
After grating, gather zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or sturdy paper towels and wring out over the sink—you’ll be amazed how much liquid comes out! This keeps the bars perfectly tender, never soggy.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze enough. They’re a little ray of citrusy joy in every bite, simple to whip up, and sure to bring a smile to your face and those you share them with. Give them a try and let your kitchen fill with sunshine!
Print
Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Zucchini Bars are a delightful treat that combines the freshness of lemon with the subtle sweetness of zucchini, topped with a tangy glaze. Perfect for a light and flavorful dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup grated zucchini, lightly squeezed
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease/flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Prepare yogurt mixture: In a small bowl, combine yogurt/sour cream with lemon juice.
- Combine wet and dry: Alternately add dry ingredients and yogurt mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add zucchini and lemon zest: Gently fold in grated zucchini and lemon zest.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and glaze: Let bars cool, then drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk/lemon juice.
- Serve: Allow glaze to set before cutting into squares.
Notes
- You can add chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Lemon Zucchini Bars, Zucchini Dessert, Lemon Dessert, Glazed Bars
