Simple Lemon Bars with Cake Mix

Easy 3 ingredient lemon bars? Yes, please!

Give me an easy dessert with the perfect sweet and tart balance, and I’ll be a happy person! These 3 ingredient lemon bars have big lemon flavor, but they’re super easy to make when you don’t have much time.

Anyone who enjoys a traditional lemon bar will love this great recipe. I like to serve them with coffee when I have friends over.

These cake mix lemon bars are so delicious that you might not want to make them any more difficult than they have to be. And why should you? I also like the fact that they can be made gluten-free, since I have a gluten sensitivity.

Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Lemon Bars

This recipe only calls for 3 ingredients. However, I’ll list the optional items you may add if you want to make your lemon bars extra special.Brace yourself. It’s a short ingredient list. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this easy lemon bars recipe:

• Yellow cake mix (or lemon cake mix if you want extra lemony flavor) – regular or gluten-free
• Can of lemon pie filling
• Butter (softened, not melted)

Optional Ingredients

• Confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar)
• Lemon zest

I sprinkle confectioners sugar over the top, mostly for aesthetic reasons. It does make them a little sweeter, something that my husband likes. Occasionally, when I want to impress people, I add a little bit of lemon zest to the top.

I make these lemon bars without eggs, so people who have egg allergies should be able to eat them.

There’s a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prepare to Make the Lemon Bars

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then spray a 7” x 11” baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray. Or you can use parchment paper instead of the spray.

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix and butter. Mix until crumbly. 

I prefer to do this with a pastry blender, but mine is still packed in boxes that I won’t unpack until we move into our new house. So I used a fork, which is fine. But it takes longer.

You can also use an electric mixer. But I choose not to because it takes as long to clean the blades as it does to do it by hand. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be level. 

Bake for 10 minutes and remove from the oven. Next, pour the pie filling over the crust and spread it out until it is even. Try to resist the urge to put a spoonful of it into your mouth.

Now sprinkle the remaining cake mix and butter mixture over the top. Gently press it down to make sure it sticks.

Put it in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. When the top starts to turn golden brown, it’s ready.

Some ovens are hotter than others, so you may want to start checking for doneness at 22 minutes. If the top isn’t golden brown at the 25 minute mark, leave the pan in the oven for another 3 minutes.

Remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. For a little extra sweetness and embellishment sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. 

If you want, you can sprinkle some lemon zest over the top. Or you can even decorate the cake with curled lemon peel.Now cut it into 2” squares and serve. Place whatever is left in the refrigerator.

More Cake Mix Lemon Bar Options

If you like a creamier texture, add some cream cheese to the lemon pie filling. I would start out with about 4 ounces and go from there.

Just remember that if you add more ingredients, they won’t still be 3 ingredient lemon bars. But that’s okay. If you and your family like them, that’s what really matters.

You can also use a variety of other cake mixes. I like to experiment in the kitchen, so I would try angel food cake mix, lemon cake mix, or a white cake mix.

Questions About Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are delicious, but you might still have some questions. Here are a few of them with answers that I hope will help.

How Long Are Lemon Bars Good at Room Temperature?

These 3 ingredient lemon bars will be fine at room temperature for about 5 or 6 hours. That should be enough time for everyone to finish a meal and find their way to the dessert table.

Do Lemon Bars Need to be Refrigerated?

If you have leftover lemon bars, you need to store them in the refrigerator. Put them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to a week.

Can You Freeze Lemon Bars?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze these delicious 3 ingredient lemon bars. Wrap individual bars in waxed paper and put them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They should be good for at least a couple of months. When you want to eat one, take it out of the freezer and set it on the counter for about half an hour to thaw.

Popular Cake Mix Dessert

If you’re craving something sweet, tangy, and incredibly easy to make, these 3 ingredient lemon bars are hard to beat.

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