Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars
These Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars are one of the easiest lemon desserts you can make. They need just angel food cake mix and canned lemon pie filling—no eggs, butter, oil, or milk. The result is light, fluffy, moist, and wonderfully lemony.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 box (about 16 oz / 450 g) angel food cake mix
- 1 can (about 21–22 oz / 595–625 g) lemon pie filling
- Powdered sugar, for dusting — optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and, for easier removal, line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Combine the Two Ingredients
Pour the dry angel food cake mix into a large mixing bowl.
Add the entire can of lemon pie filling.
Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently mix until the ingredients are completely combined.
Do not add the ingredients listed on the cake-mix box. You only need the dry cake mix and lemon pie filling.
The batter will be thick, sticky, and somewhat airy.
3. Spread the Batter
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.
Use a spatula to spread it evenly into the corners and smooth the top.
🔥 4. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 25–35 minutes.
The top should become lightly golden and the center should be set. Depending on your oven and pan, some versions take closer to 30–40 minutes.
Don’t worry if the bars puff up while baking—they can settle as they cool.
❄️ 5. Cool Completely
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
Allow the lemon bars to cool completely, ideally for about 1 hour or longer, before cutting. Cooling is important because the texture becomes firmer as the bars cool.
6. Cut and Serve
Lift the cooled dessert from the pan using the parchment paper.
Cut into squares or rectangles.
Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving.
✨ Tips for Perfect Lemon Bars
- Don’t add water, eggs, or oil. The two ingredients are all you need.
- Use an angel food cake mix, preferably one designed to require water when prepared according to its package directions.
- Don’t overmix—the batter only needs to become evenly combined.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing.
- For cleaner cuts, chill them in the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar right before serving so it doesn’t disappear into the moist surface.
- For stronger lemon flavor, add a little fresh lemon zest—although this technically makes it a three-ingredient recipe.
🍋 Optional Lemon Glaze
For an extra-sweet finish, whisk together:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Drizzle over completely cooled bars and allow the glaze to set before slicing.
⏱️ Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 25–35 minutes
Cooling: About 1 hour
Total Time: About 1½ hours
Yield: 16 bars
Texture: Light, soft, and spongy
Flavor: Sweet, bright, and tangy lemon 🍋