Have you ever craved a bright, tangy dessert but didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen? These two ingredient lemon bars are your answer to simple summer baking! With just angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling, you'll create the most delightfully citrusy treat that tastes like it took all day to make.
I discovered this two ingredient lemon bars recipe during a busy holiday season when I needed a quick dessert for unexpected guests. The beauty of these two ingredient lemon bars lies in their simplicity; no complicated techniques, no long ingredient lists, just pure lemon goodness. Whether you're a beginner baker or someone who loves effortless desserts, these two ingredient lemon bars will become your go-to recipe for any occasion.
Why This Easy Lemon Dessert Stands Out
What makes these two ingredient lemon bars truly special is how they capture the essence of traditional lemon squares without any of the fuss. The angel food cake mix creates an incredibly light, fluffy texture that perfectly complements the tartness of the lemon pie filling, resulting in bars that are neither too sweet nor too sour.
This simple lemon bar recipe has saved me countless times when I needed a last-minute dessert for potlucks, family gatherings, or just a weeknight treat. The two ingredient lemon bars have that perfect balance of citrus brightness and cake-like softness that makes everyone ask for the recipe. Plus, using pantry staple ingredients means you can whip up these two ingredient lemon bars whenever the craving strikes, making them the ultimate no-fuss lemon dessert.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Angel Food Cake Mix
- Lemon Pie Filling
Ingredient Notes:
- Angel Food Cake Mix: Creates the light, airy base that gives these bars their unique texture
- Lemon Pie Filling: Provides intense lemon flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness
- Optional Add-ins: Lemon zest for extra citrus punch, or powdered sugar for dusting
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare Your Baking Setup
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper
- Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray
Mix the Magic Combination
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of angel food cake mix
- Add the full can of lemon pie filling
- Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined; don't overmix
Bake to Perfection
- Pour the mixture into your prepared baking pan
- Spread evenly using a spatula
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
Cool and Serve
- Allow the two ingredient lemon bars to cool completely in the pan
- Cut into squares using a sharp knife
- Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment
- Step 1: Mix the Magic Combination
Gently fold the cake mix and pie filling ; no overmixing allowed!
- Step 2: Bake to Perfection
Spread the batter and bake until lightly golden and set.
- Step 3: Cool and Serve
Let them cool fully before slicing for clean, tasty squares.
Expert Cooking Tips
Creating perfect lemon cake mix bars requires a few insider secrets that make all the difference:
Mixing Technique: When combining your ingredients, use a gentle folding motion rather than vigorous stirring. This preserves the light, airy texture that makes these bars so special. Overmixing can result in dense, tough bars instead of the fluffy texture you want.
Pan Preparation: Always use parchment paper for easy removal. The lemon pie filling can make these bars slightly sticky, so proper pan preparation prevents frustration when cutting and serving.
Temperature Control:
- Bake at exactly 350°F for best results
- Check doneness at 25 minutes; some ovens run hot
- The top should be lightly golden, not dark brown
- A toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs
Cooling Process: Patience is key! Let these cool completely before cutting. Warm bars will be too soft to cut cleanly, and you'll lose that perfect square shape that makes them so appealing.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Transform your basic 2 ingredient desserts into exciting flavor combinations with these creative modifications:
Flavor Variations:
- Cherry Angel Bars: Replace lemon pie filling with cherry pie filling
- Apple Cinnamon Bars: Use apple pie filling and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to cake mix
- Blueberry Delight: Substitute with blueberry pie filling for a different berry experience
Dietary Modifications: Sugar-free versions work beautifully by using sugar-free pie filling and sugar-free cake mix. For those avoiding gluten, gluten-free angel food cake mix produces equally delicious results.
Texture Enhancements:
- Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips for chocolate lemon bars
- Incorporate ¼ cup chopped pecans for crunch
- Swirl in cream cheese for extra richness
- Top with lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice
Seasonal Twists: During summer, add fresh lemon zest for extra brightness. In winter, a light dusting of powdered sugar creates a snow-like appearance perfect for holiday gatherings.
Equipment
Success with this quick lemon dessert depends on having the right tools:
- 9x13 Inch Baking Pan: Essential for proper thickness and even baking
- Parchment Paper: Makes removal effortless and prevents sticking
- Large Mixing Bowl: Gives you room to fold ingredients without spillage
- Rubber Spatula: Perfect for gentle folding and spreading batter evenly
Budget-Friendly Alternatives: A regular mixing spoon works if you don't have a spatula, and aluminum foil can substitute for parchment paper in a pinch. The key is having a good-sized baking pan; smaller pans will result in overly thick bars that won't bake evenly.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Proper storage keeps your citrus dessert bars fresh and delicious:
Short-Term Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. These bars actually improve in flavor after the first day as the ingredients meld together.
Refrigerator Storage:
- Keep in an airtight container for up to one week
- Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking
- Let come to room temperature before serving for best texture
Freezing Instructions: These summer lemon bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips: Prepare these bars a day before your event; they taste even better after sitting overnight. Cut them the morning of serving for the cleanest presentation.
My Kitchen Game-Changer for Perfect Bars
Here's what transformed my simple lemon bar recipe from good to absolutely incredible: letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking. This simple step allows the cake mix to fully hydrate, creating a more cohesive texture that holds together beautifully when cut. I discovered this trick completely by accident when I got distracted by a phone call, but it turned out to be the best mistake I ever made in baking!
The second game-changing secret is the cooling method. Instead of cooling completely in the pan, I cool for 30 minutes, then lift the parchment paper to transfer the entire batch to a wire rack. This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy and ensures every bite has that perfect tender-yet-firm texture that makes these two ingredient lemon bars irresistible.
Another professional tip I've learned through years of making these bars is to score the surface lightly with a knife after 20 minutes of baking. This prevents the top from cracking as it finishes cooking and cools. The final secret? A light brush of melted butter on top during the last 5 minutes of baking creates an incredibly golden, slightly crispy surface that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior. These small details might seem insignificant, but they're what separate homemade two ingredient lemon bars from bakery-quality perfection.
FAQ
How do you make two ingredients in lemon bars?
Simply combine one box of angel food cake mix with one can of lemon pie filling, mix gently, and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. The two ingredient lemon bars are that easy!
What are the two ingredient bars I make every Christmas?
These two ingredient lemon bars are perfect for Christmas! Many bakers also make two-ingredient pumpkin bars (cake mix + pumpkin puree) or cherry bars (cake mix + cherry pie filling) during the holidays.
What ingredients do you need for lemon bars?
For traditional lemon bars, you need flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and fresh lemons. However, these simplified two ingredient lemon bars only require angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling.
What's the difference between lemon pie and lemon bars?
Lemon pie has a pastry crust and creamy filling, while lemon bars feature a shortbread-like base with a firmer lemon layer on top. These two ingredient lemon bars combine both elements into one easy dessert.
Sweet Endings Ahead
These two ingredient lemon bars prove that incredible desserts don't require complicated recipes or expensive ingredients. With their bright, sunny flavor and impossibly simple preparation, they've earned a permanent spot in my recipe collection. The beauty of these two ingredient lemon bars lies not just in their simplicity, but in how they deliver restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.
Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, need a quick weeknight dessert, or want to introduce someone to baking, these two ingredient lemon bars are your perfect solution. Try pairing them with our Fudgy Lemon Brownies Recipe for a complete citrus dessert spread, or complement the lemon theme with our Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe for a delightful variety that will have everyone asking for more!
Happy baking from my kitchen to yours! I hope these bars bring as much joy to your table as they do to mine.
Viola Recipes 💛
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Two Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe:
Two Ingredient Lemon Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Rubber spatula
- 1 Parchment paper
- 1 Cooking spray
- 1 Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake Mix 16 oz box, dry mix only
- 1 can Lemon Pie Filling 21 oz can, any brand
- Powdered Sugar For dusting after baking (optional)
- Lemon Zest For extra citrus punch (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line pan with parchment paper.
- Combine cake mix and pie filling in large bowl.
- Fold ingredients gently until just combined.
- Pour into pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing.
- Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar.
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