Simple 2-Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe for Sweet Tooth Joy

Tangy and sweet, these 2-ingredient lemon bars recipe creations will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Simplicity meets pure indulgence in this effortless dessert that requires minimal effort.

Forget complicated baking techniques and multiple ingredient lists.

Anyone can whip up these bars with just two pantry staples in no time.

The magic happens when you combine basic ingredients into something surprisingly delicious.

Sunshine-yellow and silky smooth, these bars offer a burst of citrusy happiness.

Treat yourself to a slice of pure, uncomplicated joy that’s sure to become your new favorite dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 137 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Needed for 2-Ingredient Lemon Bars

• Lemon Pie Filling: Creamy and tangy foundation that provides instant moisture and robust citrus flavor, ensuring a foolproof dessert with zero risk of dryness.
• Angel Food Cake Mix: Lightweight, airy powder that creates a cloud-like texture and helps the bars rise beautifully, delivering a delicate and tender crumb.

• No additional ingredients required as the lemon pie filling and cake mix provide comprehensive taste and texture profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Delicate dusting adds elegant sweetness and professional bakery-style presentation, creating a delightful visual contrast against the golden bars.

Equipment for Quick Lemon Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Roomy vessel for combining cake mix and lemon filling smoothly.
• Baking dish (9×13 inch): Essential for creating perfect bar shape and even baking.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for mixing ingredients until well blended.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps bars cool evenly without getting soggy on the bottom.
• Measuring cup: Useful for precise ingredient amounts if needed.
• Sharp knife: Helps slice bars into clean, neat squares.
• Toothpick: Checks doneness by testing center of baked bars.
• Sifter or fine strainer: Optional for sprinkling powdered sugar evenly on top.

How to Bake 2-Ingredient Lemon Bars

• Oven Preparation Cozy kitchen setup with a preheated oven creates the perfect baking environment. Warm the oven to a gentle 350°F and select a rectangular baking pan for your delightful dessert.
• Mixing Magic Combine the angel food cake mix and zesty lemon pie filling in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients until they blend into a smooth, creamy texture with no stubborn lumps hiding around the edges.
• Baking Transformation Carefully spread the silky mixture into the prepared pan, ensuring an even surface that promises consistent golden goodness. Slide the pan into the waiting oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful light golden color and a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cooling and Serving Let the bars rest peacefully in the pan for a short while, allowing them to cool and set. Slice into beautiful squares that showcase the delicate texture and bright lemony essence. Optional: Dust with a light snowfall of powdered sugar or add a dollop of fluffy whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Tips for Better Texture in Lemon Bars

• Experiment with different citrus flavors like lime or orange pie filling for a tangy variation that keeps the dessert exciting and fresh.
• Prepare the bars a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight.
• Create delightful texture by adding toasted coconut flakes, crushed graham crackers, or sliced almonds on top just before serving for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Elevate the dessert by cutting bars into bite-sized pieces for parties, or create elegant diagonal cuts for a more sophisticated presentation that will impress guests.
• Swap the angel food cake mix with a gluten-free alternative to make these lemon bars accessible for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.

Serving 2-Ingredient Lemon Bars Effortlessly

• Zesty Citrus Companion: Pair these lemon bars with a refreshing lavender lemonade or chilled herbal tea to enhance the bright, tangy flavors.
• Sweet and Creamy Topping: Dollop a generous swirl of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on each bar to balance the lemony punch and add luxurious creaminess.
• Elegant Presentation Twist: Dust the bars with powdered sugar using a decorative stencil or sprinkle finely chopped mint leaves for a sophisticated and visually appealing garnish that elevates the dessert's look.
• Textural Crunch Boost: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or crushed graham crackers on top to introduce a delightful crunch and complementary nutty undertone that contrasts with the soft, smooth lemon bar texture.

Storing 2-Ingredient Lemon Bars Correctly

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let lemon bars completely cool to room temperature before storing to maintain their delightful texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigeration Success: Store bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing potential spoilage.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars separately in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to enjoy for up to 3 months without compromising taste or quality.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare these lemon bars a day before serving, allowing flavors to develop and giving you stress-free dessert preparation for gatherings or special occasions.

Heavenly Lemon Bars

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Quick and easy lemon bars showcase simplicity at its finest in this delightful dessert. Home bakers can whip up these tangy treats with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (16 oz / 454 g) angel food cake mix
• 1 (21 oz / 595 g) lemon pie filling
• cooking spray
• baking pan

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing thoroughly or lining with parchment paper for effortless removal.
2. Mixing: Combine angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling in a large mixing bowl, whisking vigorously until the mixture transforms into a silky-smooth batter with no dry mix remnants.
3. Baking: Transfer the blended mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula, and bake for 25-30 minutes until the surface achieves a delicate golden hue and a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean.
4. Cooling: Allow the bars to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack, enabling them to set and stabilize at room temperature.
5. Serving: Slice the cooled dessert into precise squares or rectangles, cleaning the knife between cuts to maintain crisp edges. Optionally, enhance with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Notes

• Prep with Parchment: Line the baking dish with parchment paper for effortless bar removal and minimal cleanup.
• Whisk Thoroughly: Mix ingredients completely to eliminate dry cake mix clumps, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test to confirm baking completion – a clean insertion means perfectly baked bars.
• Slice Like a Pro: Clean the knife between cuts to maintain crisp, clean edges and professional-looking bar shapes.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 137
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg