If you’re in the mood for a sunny, crowd-pleasing treat that’s almost too easy to believe, these Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars will absolutely become your new go-to recipe. Think of rich, tangy lemon flavor paired with the ethereal fluffiness of angel food cake—combined, they make a dessert so light and zesty you’ll want to share it at every picnic, family barbecue, or spontaneous get-together. Minimal effort, maximum decadence: that’s the Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars magic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just two pantry staples stand between you and dessert bliss! Each one is essential to the balance of taste and texture—every bite is fresh, bright, and incredibly soft, all thanks to the perfect partnership of these ingredients.
- Lemon Pie Filling: This brings all the vibrant, tart citrus flavor and a lusciously thick texture, making the bars taste like you spent hours zesting and juicing, even though you didn’t!
- Angel Food Cake Mix: The secret to the bars’ airy, cloudlike crumb; it creates that effortless lift and a touch of sweetness that makes the lemon really sing.
How to Make Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Getting your oven hot before you mix ensures even baking and that golden, picture-perfect top we all crave. Don’t skip this—those few extra minutes make all the difference!
Step 2: Mix the Magic
In a large bowl, empty the can of lemon pie filling and pour in the box of angel food cake mix. Grab a sturdy spatula or spoon and fold the two together until you have a thick, smooth batter. It’s perfectly normal for the mixture to look airy and creamy. No need to over-mix—just combine until you don’t see any dry streaks.
Step 3: Prepare Your Pan
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan generously so the bars come out easily after baking. Pour your batter in, smoothing it gently with a spatula to make sure the surface is even. The batter will look pale and fluffy—don’t worry, it transforms in the oven!
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Set
Place your pan in the center of the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for a firm, set center and a lightly golden top. A gentle jiggle test is handy: the bars should barely move in the middle. They’ll finish setting as they cool.
Step 5: The Chill Factor
This step is key for classic lemon bar texture! Let the bars cool completely in the pan—about 90 minutes—so they slice cleanly and don’t fall apart. It’s hard to wait, but that cool-down time ensures every bite is the perfect combo of tender, tangy, and sweet.
How to Serve Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar makes these bars look bakery-fancy in seconds. For even more color, add a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest or a scattering of fresh berries. If you’re feeling playful, a tiny sprig of mint adds a pop of green and a wonderful aroma.
Side Dishes
Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars are bright and sweet, so they pair wonderfully with a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Serve them alongside fresh fruit—think strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries—for a satisfyingly balanced dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
You can cut the bars into classic squares, or try using a small round cutter for easy-to-grab circles at a party. For potlucks, stack them in cupcake liners for a fuss-free, portable treat. Want to elevate things even further? Layer squares with a bit of whipped cream and fruit in parfait glasses for a showstopper dessert!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them in the fridge; their texture stays tender and they’re delicious served chilled, too.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Place the cooled, cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to two months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator or on the counter when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
No need to reheat Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars—they’re best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature! If you prefer them slightly warm, you can microwave individual bars for just 5–10 seconds, but be aware that they’ll soften considerably.
FAQs
Can I use homemade lemon curd instead of canned pie filling?
Absolutely! If you love making your own lemon curd, just use the same amount as you would canned filling. It adds a richer, homemade flavor while keeping that signature Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars simplicity.
Should I use the angel food cake mix with the egg whites packet included?
No extra eggs or water needed! Just pour in the dry cake mix as-is, straight from the box, and mix with the pie filling. The magic of Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars is that they rise beautifully with no extra steps.
Can I add extras, like berries or coconut, to the batter?
Definitely! Blueberries, raspberries, or sweetened shredded coconut can be gently folded into the batter before baking for extra bursts of flavor and color. The basic Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars recipe is perfect on its own, but it’s also a great blank canvas for fun mix-ins.
Why do my bars look sticky or under-baked?
If they seem a little too gooey, they may need a few extra minutes in the oven or additional cooling time. The texture will set up best as they cool, so don’t rush this step. Each oven can vary, so keep a close eye after the 25-minute mark.
Are Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars gluten free?
Most standard angel food cake mixes do contain wheat, so the classic version isn’t gluten free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free cake mix and a dairy-free lemon filling to suit dietary needs, and still capture that delicious lemony flavor.
Final Thoughts
Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars truly prove that dazzling desserts don’t have to be complicated. I hope you’ll give them a try—because once you taste their sunny zing and featherlight bite, you’ll understand why they’ve taken the internet (and my kitchen!) by storm. If you make them, don’t forget to share and enjoy every last tangy, fluffy crumb!
Print
Two-Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: 12 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These viral two-ingredient lemon bars combine tangy lemon pie filling with fluffy angel food cake mix for a sunshine-bright, fuss-free summer treat! Incredibly easy, light, and bursting with citrus flavor, they’re perfect for parties, picnics, or whenever you need a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box angel food cake mix (approx. 15–16 oz)
- 1 can lemon pie filling (approx. 21 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment for easy removal.
- Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of angel food cake mix with the can of lemon pie filling. Stir gently until the batter is smooth and evenly combined. Don’t overmix!
- Pan and Spread: Pour the lemony batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it out evenly to the corners.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The bars are ready when the top is golden, puffy, and set (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean).
- Cool and Slice: Let the lemon bars cool in the pan for at least 90 minutes. This ensures they set up nicely with that classic chew and soft center. Once cooled, slice and serve!
Notes
- For a sweeter finish, dust with powdered sugar before serving once fully cooled.
- Bars will puff up in the oven, then settle as they cool—don’t worry, this is normal!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Great for bake sales and potlucks, as the recipe easily doubles.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American