3-Ingredient Lemon Bars (2024)

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. Anyone who enjoys a traditional lemon bar will love this great recipe.

Best Lemon Bars with Cake Mix and Pie Filling

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.

3 Ingredient Lemon Bars Ingredients

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:

• 1 box of yellow cake mix (or lemon cake mix if you want extra lemony flavor) – regular or gluten-free
• 1 can of lemon pie filling
• 1 stick of butter (softened, not melted)

Optional ingredients:

• Confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar)
• Lemon zest

You can use store brand or national brand products and get the same results. It really doesn’t matter. If you prefer airy lemon bars, use a box of angel food cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.You can also mix lemon juice with white frosting (turns it into lemon frosting). Spread it over the top instead of using powdered sugar.

I make these lemon bars without eggs, so people who have egg allergies should be able to eat them. However, always read the full ingredient list on the cake mix to make sure. Another way to make these lemon bars more appealing is to place thinly sliced fresh lemons over the top.

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

Prepare to Make Lemon Bars

First of all, gather all of your ingredients. It’s important to do this to make sure you have what you need.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.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars

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.

See Also

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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. If you want to add powdered sugar, sprinkle it 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.

Tips

I normally use a small strainer to sprinkle the powdered sugar. However, I didn’t have mine at hand, so I used a spoon. And as carefully as I could, I sprinkled it over the top.

Although the powdered sugar adds a nice touch, it isn’t necessary and tastes just as good without it. After it cools, cover it in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. If you don’t eat the whole pan of them, refrigerate what’s left.

These lemon squares are delicious warm, but they’re just as good right out of the refrigerator. These amazing lemon bars are so delicious you’ll want to make them often. And when other people taste them, they’ll request them for potluck dinners and special occasions.

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.

Are Lemon Bars Gluten Free?

If you use gluten-free ingredients, they will be gluten free. Since I have a sensitivity to gluten, the way I make them, they are.

More 2 or 3 Ingredient Dessert Recipes

I’m a huge fan of easy dishes that only have a couple or a few ingredients. Most of these are cake mix recipes that you can make in just a few minutes.All you need are a box of cake mix and one or two other things for any of these delicious recipes. Keep a variety of cake mixes in your pantry so that next time you need something quickly, you’re ready.

Here are some easy-to-make 2 or 3 ingredient desserts:

Cherry Chocolate Cake – Cherry pie filling adds richness to this delightful cake that’s often called a chocolate dump cake.

2-Ingredient Lemon Cake – Lemon lovers will also love this. It’s slightly different from the lemon bars, but it’s just as good.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters – Satisfy your sweet tooth with these yummy treats from Dance Around the Kitchen! They’re easy to make and absolutely delightful!

2-Ingredient Apple Cake – Of all of my dessert recipes, this is one of the most popular. There’s a good reason for this. It’s absolutely delicious!

2-Ingredient Peach Cake – Peach is one of my favorite fruits, so I make this as often as possible. Then I add even more peach flavor to the top, but it’s not necessary.

Easy 3-Ingredient Mug Cake – This recipe is perfect for those times when you only want one or two servings of dessert. You can make any flavor you want with this simple recipe.

3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies – Don’t wait until fall to make these delicious cookies. Stock up on pumpkin and make them any time of year.

3-Ingredient Cinnamon Apple Crisps – Check out this yummy treat from Southern Plate.

Chocolate Covered Pecans – With only 3 ingredients, you can make this deliciously sweet snack in a flash!

Peanut Butter Balls – Anyone who likes peanut butter will enjoy this treat! If you want to dip them in chocolate (pushing the ingredients list to 4), go right ahead.

2 or 3 Ingredient Savory Dishes:

Best 2-Ingredient Biscuits – Yes, you absolutely can make biscuits with only 2 ingredients, and they’re really good!

2-Ingredient Bagels – It’s all about what you put on top that makes these different.

3-Ingredient Ro-Tel Chili – This is probably one of the best kept secrets in kitchens across America. It’s delicious and perfect for those nights when you’re hungry but rushed.