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Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars
Recipe Details
- Author: deesviral
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Keywords: Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars, Cake Mix Lemon Bars, Easy Lemon Dessert, deesviral
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Total Time:
- Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) angel food cake mix
- 1 can (21 oz) lemon pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the angel food cake mix and the lemon pie filling. Stir gently until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips
- Too jiggly? Let the bars cool fully before cutting. They set as they rest.
- Top browning too fast? Tent loosely with foil the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Want thicker bars? Use a slightly smaller pan (9×9) and extend bake time by 5–8 minutes.
- No lemon pie filling? Substitute with homemade lemon curd, but texture may vary.
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Best served chilled or at room temp.
- Freezer: Wrap bars tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Make-Ahead: Can be baked a day ahead and stored covered until serving.
Why This Recipe Works
With just two pantry ingredients, these lemon bars come together faster than most cookies—and with less mess. The angel food cake mix makes the bars light and airy, while the lemon pie filling adds zesty flavor and moisture. It’s a genius shortcut dessert that’s always a hit, and one of many easy classics from deesviral that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Expert Tips
- For a tart twist, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or zest to the batter.
- Dust with powdered sugar or top with a lemon glaze after cooling for extra flair.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup and cleaner edges.
- Try this with other pie fillings (like cherry or blueberry) for different variations.
