If you love the bright, tangy taste of lemon bars but want a simple, no-fuss approach, these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars will steal your heart. With just angel food cake mix and luscious lemon pie filling, you’ll whip up golden, fluffy bars brimming with sunshine flavor—no complicated steps, just pure lemony bliss!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just Two Ingredients: You won’t believe how easy these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are—no eggs, no butter, just two store-bought staples.
- Bright, Zesty Flavor: Each bite bursts with cheerful lemon tang balanced by sweet, pillowy cake.
- Impossible to Mess Up: With no complicated steps or special tools, it’s practically foolproof—even for beginner bakers.
- Perfect for Crowds: Whip up a batch in minutes to satisfy potlucks, celebrations, or last-minute cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Trust me, the magic of these bars lies in their simplicity—just two ingredients, yet each one makes an enormous difference. The angel food cake brings lift and sweetness, while the lemon pie filling delivers all that tart, sunshine-filled goodness.
- Angel Food Cake Mix (16 oz.): Choose your favorite boxed mix—Duncan Hines is a classic. Its fluffy structure helps the bars set up light but still chewy.
- Lemon Pie Filling (21 oz.): This gives the bars their vivid lemon flavor and soft, almost custard-like texture. Tart, sweet, and silky—don’t substitute lemon curd (it’s too thick).
Variations
There’s nothing more fun than making a recipe your own, and these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are a blank canvas—you can tweak them based on what you have or who you’re feeding. A little creativity, and you’ve got endless new flavors to play with!
- Lime or Pineapple Bars: Swap the lemon pie filling for key lime or pineapple pie filling to create a totally different but equally tropical treat.
- Mini Lemon Bar Bites: Bake in mini muffin tins for cute, poppable party bites. These are always a hit for brunches or showers!
- Lemon-Blueberry Bars: Gently fold half a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter for punchy pops of color and taste.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a certified gluten-free angel food cake mix so everyone can indulge without worries.
How to Make 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a good spritz with non-stick spray, or lightly grease it with shortening. This ensures the bars pop out easily—no sticking, no fuss.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In your biggest mixing bowl, scoop in the lemon pie filling and the dry angel food cake mix. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula and gently fold them together—no need for a mixer. Don’t overmix or whisk hard; a few lumps are totally fine, and you want to keep that airy texture.
Step 3: Spread and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use your spatula to even it out. Slide it onto the oven’s center rack and bake for about 25 minutes, until the top turns pretty and golden brown. The bars should spring back lightly if you tap them.
Step 4: Cool and Cut
Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1–2 hours. This patience pays off—they’ll slice into beautiful, neat squares and the flavors will settle into that perfect balance of tangy and sweet.
Pro Tips for Making 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
- Don’t Overmix: Gently folding the ingredients preserves the airy texture and prevents the bars from becoming dense.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Every oven is a little different—start checking after 22 minutes; once the top turns golden with a slight spring, they’re ready.
- Cool Completely: Cooling for at least an hour is key; it makes cutting effortless and keeps the bars from crumbling.
- Slice for Your Crowd: Make small squares for big gatherings, or cut generous bars for potlucks—these really go far!
How to Serve 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar (right before serving) adds that classic bakery look and a delicate sweetness to each bar. For a fresh flair, add a little grated lemon zest—or a few curls of candied lemon peel for an extra pop of citrusy perfume!
Side Dishes
These bars shine next to a bowl of ripe, juicy berries or a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt—the creamy cold balances the tart bars. They’re also perfect alongside coffee, tea, or iced herbal lemonade for a delightful afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut your 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars into tiny squares and stack them on a tiered platter for a show-stopping centerpiece. Try serving in cupcake liners for grab-and-go treats, or drizzle lightly with a lemon glaze if you’re feeling fancy. They also make adorable teacher gifts—pop a few in a cellophane bag and tie with a yellow ribbon!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover lemon bars (if there are any!) stay super fresh at room temperature for a day, or up to four days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper so they don’t stick together.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your bars! Just layer wax or parchment paper between the cut bars in a freezer bag or box. They thaw beautifully—even the texture and flavor stay bright and delightful for up to three months.
Reheating
These 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are scrumptious cold or at room temperature, but if you crave a hint of warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for just 5–10 seconds. This brings back that just-baked aroma and soft, tender bite!
FAQs
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Can I use a different flavor of pie filling besides lemon?
Absolutely! Pineapple, key lime, or even cherry pie filling all work with the same technique. Your bars will have a different flavor but the same soft, cake-like texture—feel free to experiment and discover fun new favorites.
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Do I need to add the eggs or water called for on the cake mix box?
Nope—skip any other ingredients listed on the box. All you need is the dry cake mix and the lemon pie filling. The moisture in the pie filling is all it needs!
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How do I keep the bars from sticking to the pan?
Make sure to spray your baking pan generously with non-stick spray or use a thin layer of shortening. Letting them cool before slicing also helps prevent sticking and ensures neat squares.
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Can I make 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars ahead for a party?
Definitely! These bars keep beautifully when made a day or two in advance. Just store them tightly covered, and dust with powdered sugar right before serving for the freshest look and flavor.
Final Thoughts
You’ll be amazed at how these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars bring such big, bright flavor with so little effort—there’s something truly magical about their simplicity! If you try them once, they might become your new go-to treat for every occasion. Happy baking, and enjoy every zesty bite!
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2 Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 2-ingredient lemon bars are a quick and easy dessert that everyone will love. With a light and fluffy texture, a burst of lemon flavor, and a dusting of powdered sugar, these bars are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. angel food cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)
- 21 oz. lemon pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the lemon pie filling and angel food cake mix. Do not over mix.
- Prepare the pan: Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray or grease with shortening. Add the batter and spread it evenly.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven on the center rack and bake for 25 minutes or until the top starts to brown.
- Cool and cut: Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool for 1-2 hours before cutting into squares.
Notes
- These bars can be cut into smaller pieces for a larger crowd.
- You can use pineapple pie filling or key lime as alternatives.
- Store in an airtight container or wrap tightly with cling wrap. They can also be frozen with wax paper between layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 37g
- Sodium: 433mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
