If you’re searching for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing treat that feels like a warm summer day in every bite, let me introduce you to my favorite Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze. These buttery, tender dessert bars are bursting with zesty lemon flavor, balanced by the garden-fresh goodness of zucchini, and topped with a glistening, tangy glaze. Even veggies-averse eaters will swoon! With every lemon-scented bite, you’ll be amazed by how something so simple can feel downright glorious.

Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You just need a handful of common kitchen staples and a few fresh flavors to create these show-stealing bars. Each ingredient plays a key role—building structure, adding moisture, or creating that burst of citrus brightness. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters:

All-purpose flour: The trusty base, providing softness and body to your bars without weighing them down.
Baking powder & baking soda: This dreamy duo ensures your bars rise just right—think fluffy, not dense!
Salt: Don’t skip it! Just a pinch amplifies all those lemony, sweet flavors.
Unsalted butter, softened: For a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and classic bakery vibe.
Granulated sugar: The must-have for sweetness and a delicate crumb.
Eggs: Binding everything together for bars that slice beautifully.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth, balancing out the citrus zing.
Plain yogurt or sour cream: Adds luscious moisture and a subtle tang that wakes up all the flavors.
Grated zucchini (lightly squeezed): The secret hero! It keeps the bars supremely moist and sneaks in veggies without a trace.
Fresh lemon juice & zest: The star players, providing a double-whammy of bright, fresh, sunshine-y flavor.
Powdered sugar: The silky-sweet foundation for a glaze that sets like a dream.
Milk or more lemon juice: Gives the glaze its perfect pourable consistency. Use lemon juice if you want that extra citrus punch!

How to Make Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Set yourself up for baking bliss by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan so the bars pop out easily later. A light dusting of flour over the greased pan helps prevent sticking, so you get perfect, clean slices every time.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures all the leavening and seasoning gets evenly dispersed, so every bite has that tender, soft texture.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Grab a large bowl and cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This adds essential aeration, guaranteeing your Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze bake up with a delicate crumb and rich, buttery taste.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one by one, blending well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for that irresistible undertone. Taking your time here really creates a smooth, unified batter that holds together beautifully.

Step 5: Combine Yogurt and Lemon Juice

In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt (or sour cream) and the fresh lemon juice together. This tangy mixture is your ticket to extra-moist, lemon-kissed bars!

Step 6: Alternate Mixing Dry and Wet Ingredients

Mix a bit of the dry mixture into the wet butter base, followed by a splash of the yogurt-lemon mix. Keep alternating, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined for a plush texture. Avoid overmixing so the bars stay soft and light.

Step 7: Fold in Zucchini and Lemon Zest

Gently fold in your grated, lightly squeezed zucchini and the fragrant lemon zest. These last additions add pops of lemon flavor and that signature tender crumb. Don’t worry—the zucchini will vanish into the batter, leaving nothing but moisture and subtle sweetness.

Step 8: Bake It Up

Pour the luscious batter into your prepped pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen should smell pure lemony heaven at this point!

Step 9: Cool the Bars

Let the bars cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This sets the texture and keeps the bars from falling apart when you glaze and slice.

Step 10: Make the Lemon Glaze

As the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar with milk or extra lemon juice in a small bowl. Adjust until smooth and perfectly pourable—you want a glaze that cascades elegantly over your bars.

Step 11: Glaze and Slice

Once the bars are thoroughly cool, drizzle that shiny glaze generously over the top. Let it set, then slice into perfect squares. Your Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze are now ready to dazzle every palate!

How to Serve Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze

Garnishes

For the prettiest presentation, add a sprinkle of extra lemon zest on top of the glaze. You can also scatter a few thin lemon slices or a handful of edible flowers for a burst of color and a touch of elegance.

Side Dishes

These bars shine on their own, but pairing them with a pot of herbal tea or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream transforms any snack into a lovely little celebration. If you’ve got brunch plans, stack them beside fresh berries or a simple fruit salad for that extra dash of brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

I love serving Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze on a tiered cake stand for a pretty, old-fashioned tea party vibe. Or, cut them into bite-sized rectangles and arrange on a rustic wooden board for casual gatherings—they’re just as stunning as petit fours but so much easier.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any extra Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The bars actually get moister over time as the flavors meld—the hardest part is not eating them all at once!

Freezing

If you want to stash some away, wrap unglazed bars tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and glaze just before serving for best freshness and appearance.

Reheating

These bars are wonderful at room temperature, but for a just-baked feel, warm them gently in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. If you’ve already glazed them, a few seconds in the microwave can refresh the texture, but be cautious not to melt the glaze entirely.

FAQs

Can I make Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. Check for a product with added xanthan gum for best results—the bars may be a touch more delicate, but just as tasty.

Do I have to peel the zucchini before grating?

Not at all. The zucchini skin is tender and vanishes during baking, adding subtle green flecks for a lovely, rustic look. Just wash and grate—no peeling required!

Is it okay to use bottled lemon juice?

While bottled lemon juice will do in a pinch, nothing beats the fresh, tangy zing of real lemons. You’ll notice a world of difference in the brightness and depth of flavor with freshly squeezed juice and zest.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or regular yogurt?

Yes! Greek yogurt works beautifully and gives the bars an even creamier texture. If yours is especially thick, thin it with a splash of milk or lemon juice for a smoother batter.

Why do my bars sometimes turn out soggy?

This usually happens if the zucchini wasn’t squeezed enough. After grating, gently press out the extra moisture with paper towels—a little dampness is fine, but too much will make the bars dense or soggy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a sunshiny dessert that effortlessly blends wholesome veggies with sweet-tart citrus flavor, you just have to try these Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze. They’re a joyful surprise, easy to whip up and absolutely irresistible for any occasion. Give them a bake—you’ll have friends and family begging for the recipe!

Delicious Lemon Zucchini Bars with Glaze Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 22 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Lemon Zucchini Bars are a delightful treat that combines the freshness of lemon with the subtle sweetness of zucchini, all topped with a tangy glaze. Perfect for any occasion!

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
Mix yogurt and lemon juice: Whisk together yogurt or sour cream and lemon juice in a small bowl.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the yogurt mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Add zucchini and lemon zest: Gently fold in the grated zucchini and lemon zest.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and glaze: Let the bars cool before drizzling with a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
Serve: Allow the glaze to set before cutting the bars into squares.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 230
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Lemon Zucchini Bars, Dessert Recipe, Lemon Recipe, Zucchini Recipe, Glazed Bars