Lemon Brownies

Have you noticed the ridiculous amount of lemons that I've been using for No Butter Baking? Well, it's because I have a friend who always give me fresh lemons from his lemon tree! Since I'm not too familiar baking with lemons I followed the generic cookies, lemon bars, lemon cake, etc. but I wanted something different - which led me to baking Lemon Brownies. Now, these are "brownies" but obviously, there are no specks of chocolate in this recipe, which may confuse some people. When I baked these for my family, they were like "These aren't brownies!!" So I like to describe them as "lemon desserts that have dense texture like brownies" - which I won't use for the actual name because it's too long! Anyway, these lemon brownies are literally just like brownies without the chocolate. It's not too rich but the right "dense" like brownies. I hope you enjoy them!

Lemon Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Want to make these deliciously fluffy lemon muffins with chocolate chips? It's so easy! Just use the recipe from the Lemon Muffins with Lemon Glaze and take out the glaze part and add some chocolate chips!

I have a friend who always give me a bag full of lemons from his lemon tree. It's amazing how different the lemons look compared to the ones at grocery stores. The shape is not "perfect" but what's so great about perfection right? And no joke, those lemons are juicier and the scent is incredible! Times like this is when I appreciate gardening and those who garden. It's truly amazing how something that grows in your own backyard can taste and smell so good. So if you have a lemon tree - I highly encourage you to take advantage of it ;)

Lemon Muffins with Lemon Glaze

When I think of lemons, it reminds me of the time when my sister used to enjoy nibbling on a lemon wedge when she was a little girl. I don't remember this but I constantly hear this story from my family - one time at a restaurant, my sister was nibbling on a lemon wedge (no sugar, no added flavor!). Since she was eating the lemon so pleasantly, this little boy who was sitting in the booth next to us begged his mom that he wanted to eat a lemon wedge as well. Apparently, the mother warned him that it's going to be very sour. Obviously, he didn't listen and took a huge bite of the lemon. The result? He started crying because it was sour (just like his mom warned him - so listen to your mom!) The mom said "I told you so!" but he was upset, pointing at my sister saying, "But hers look so good!!" because my sister was minding her own business eating her "delicious" lemon. That story is always a fun one to bring it up especially when we're at a restaurant that serves water with lemon wedges!

When it comes to lemons, you either love it or hate it. For me, that sour taste gives that particular flavor and scent of lemon that I absolutely love. Especially when I bake, I try to make sure that flavor and aroma is still contained within the baked goods - it's my biggest pet peeve when extracts, sugar, and "other" ingredients ruins the natural flavor of certain ingredients.