If you’re looking for a ridiculously easy, crowd-pleasing treat, these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are your new best friend! With just a box of angel food cake mix and a can of luscious lemon cream pie filling, you’ll have a pan of ultra-moist, zesty, sunshine-bright bars in under an hour—no special skills required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Truly Effortless: With just two pantry staples, 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars come together in one bowl—no eggs, oil, or fancy equipment needed!
- Perfectly Tart & Sweet: The vivid lemon cream pie filling infuses every bite with tangy zest, balanced by the cloud-like sweetness of angel food cake.
- Crowd-Pleasing Anytime: These bars are ideal for potlucks, brunches, and picnics—everyone will be amazed you only used two ingredients!
- Foolproof Every Time: Whether you’re new to baking or just short on time, you won’t believe how gloriously fluffy, moist, and delicious these treat bars turn out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars is all in their simplicity—each ingredient brings something essential, from the tender crumb to the intensely lemony flavor and bright golden hue.
- Angel Food Cake Mix (16 oz box): This boxed mix is the secret to the bars’ airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and signature cloud-like crumb. Make sure you’re using just the dry mix—no extra water or eggs needed.
- Lemon Cream Pie Filling (21 oz can): The already-smooth, tangy lemon filling does double duty: providing all the sweet-tart flavor and acting as the perfect binder for a soft, slightly chewy bar.
- Powdered Sugar (optional, for garnish): A delicate dusting adds a pretty, bakery-style finish and a little extra sweetness that I can never resist!
Variations
What I love most—aside from the stunning simplicity—is how easily you can riff on these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars with new flavors and fun add-ins. Make them your own every time!
- Swap the Filling: Try canned key lime, raspberry, or even blueberry pie filling for a delightful twist.
- Zest It Up: Stir in a little fresh lemon zest or a splash of vanilla extract for extra brightness and aroma.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free angel food cake mix for bars everyone can enjoy—just be sure to check labels.
- Lighter Version: Dust with a little erythritol-based powdered sugar or skip it for a naturally lower-sugar treat.
How to Make 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Set yourself up for success by preheating your oven to 350°F and generously greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. This ensures your lemon bars release easily and get those nice golden edges.
Step 2: Mix the Magic
In a large bowl, dump in the entire box of angel food cake mix and your can of lemon cream pie filling. Grab your mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes, until you have a pale, thick, silky batter without dry spots—watch it turn spectacularly fluffy!
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then slide it into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown, lightly springy to the touch, and just barely pulling from the sides. Don’t overbake—moist is best!
Step 4: Cool, Slice, & Garnish
Allow the bars to cool completely in their pan for the best clean slices—they’ll firm up as they cool. Dust the top with powdered sugar if you like, then slice into 12 generous bars and get ready for instant lemony happiness!
Pro Tips for Making 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
- Use Only the Dry Mix: Double-check that you’re adding just the dry angel food cake mix, not preparing it per box directions—otherwise your batter will be too thin.
- Room Temperature Lemon Filling: Your lemon cream pie filling should be at room temp so it blends smoothly for the fluffiest bars possible.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the bars cool fully for neat, clean cuts—fresh from the oven, they’ll be irresistibly soft and sticky.
- Light Dusting: If garnishing with powdered sugar, wait until just before serving so it stays pretty and doesn’t melt into the bars.
How to Serve 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
Garnishes
A flutter of powdered sugar is classic, but you can absolutely have fun here—a few fresh raspberries, thin lemon slices, or even a drizzle of white chocolate add a little extra polish (and color) to your 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a big bowl of fresh berries, a scoop of vanilla yogurt, or a pitcher of iced herbal tea for the ultimate light dessert spread. They’re also wonderful paired with coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up!
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your lemon bars into fun shapes with a cookie cutter, layer them parfait-style with whipped cream and berries, or stack squares high on a tiered cake stand for a party-ready centerpiece. Don’t be afraid to get creative—lemon bars love the spotlight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for 3–4 days if you like them extra chilled and chewy (I do!).
Freezing
To freeze, layer cooled bars between pieces of parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to a month—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
These bars are lovely cold or at room temp, but if you’d like to serve them slightly warm, pop individual squares in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds. Too long, and they’ll get sticky, so keep a close eye!
FAQs
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Can I use a different brand or type of cake mix for these lemon bars?
For best results, use a standard 16 oz angel food cake mix—brands may vary but stick with classic angel food (not “pound cake,” “yellow cake,” or “devil’s food”). The unique texture of angel food is key to these bars’ fluffiness.
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What is lemon cream pie filling, and can I substitute lemon curd or pudding?
Lemon cream pie filling is a thick, sweet-tart canned product found with other canned pie fillings. Lemon curd is thick and intensely tart, so it’s not an exact swap, but in a pinch, you could try it—just know the bars may be denser. Avoid instant pudding, which won’t set correctly.
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Why are my bars sticky or gooey in the center?
A slightly sticky texture is normal for 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars! If they seem very undercooked, give them a bit more time in the oven and let them cool completely—the bars set as they cool. Also, check that your oven temperature is accurate.
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Can I double the recipe or bake in a different pan?
Absolutely! Double the ingredients for a crowd, but use two pans for even baking. If using a smaller pan (like 8×8 inch), your bars will be thicker and need extra baking time—just check with a toothpick for doneness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about turning two humble ingredients into a pan of bright, beautiful, and downright delicious 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or stepping into the kitchen for the very first time, this recipe invites you to savor springy, sunshiny treats with zero stress. I can’t wait for you to try them—let me know how you serve yours!
Print
2 Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 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 option that anyone can make with just a box of angel food cake mix and a can of lemon cream pie filling. This simple recipe yields deliciously light and tangy bars that are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 16 oz angel food cake mix
- 21 oz lemon cream pie filling
- powdered sugar for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the angel food cake mix and lemon cream pie filling. Beat on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Bake: Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely, then optionally dust with powdered sugar. Slice into 12 bars and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: Approximately 150 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 18g
- Sodium: Approximately 250mg
- Fat: Approximately 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: Approximately 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
