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    Home » Desserts

    Three Ingredient Best Lemon Bars Recipe

    Published: Aug 27, 2023 · Modified: Dec 3, 2023 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Lemon bars are a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are tart and sweet, and the sweet shortbread like crust is the perfect complement to the lemon filling. This recipe for three-ingredient lemon bars is simple to make and requires only a few basic ingredients.

    A close-up photo of a lemon bar on a white plate. The lemon bar is square-shaped and has a golden brown crust. The filling is a bright yellow color and has a slightly glossy sheen. The lemon bar is topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.

    The Best Lemon Bars You'll Ever Have!

    Get ready to enjoy a dessert with a zesty citrus taste. These delightful lemon bars are made with just three ingredients, including the convenience of cake mix. With minimal effort and maximum taste, the best lemon bars ever are sure to become your go-to dessert for any occasion!

    Three Simple Ingredients

    The ingredient list for these lemon bars is so simple and easy. All you need is:

    • Yellow cake mix-storebought or homemade yellow cake mix recipe.
    • Lemon curd or lemon pie filling
    • Butter

    Substitutions

    I know nowadays using substitutions for dietary preferences or needs is pretty common. You can still enjoy the best lemon bars ever by using a gluten free yellow cake mix. You can even use a keto or vegan cake mix. You can also substitute dairy free butter if you're needing a dairy free or vegan version of this recipe.

    shortbread crust pressed into a pan. The crust will be used to make lemon bars
    a cake mix crumble topping for lemon bars

    Making the Bars

    It's just as easy to make these bars as it is to get the ingredients to make them! So let's get started:

    The Base: Lemon Cake Mix

    Starting with a lemon cake mix as the base is a game-changer when it comes to simplifying this classic recipe. The cake mix infuses a sweet buttery flavor and shortbread crust like taste.

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or lightly grease the pan. Mix the butter and cake mix and mix until crumbly.

    Reserve ½ cup of the crust for later. Press the remaining crust into the pan and press evenly with your hands.

    The Filling: Lemon Bliss

    Spoon the lemon pie filling or lemon curd evenly onto the crust. Spread until smooth.

    Bake and Enjoy

    Now it's time to sprinkle that remaining ½ cup of crust evenly over the top of the lemon bars. First bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. The crumble on the top of the bars will be nice and lightly browned.

    Remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool before slicing.

    Slice and Savor

    Once the lemon bars have cooled, carefully slice them into squares or rectangles. The lemon cake mix provides a slightly crumbly and wonderfully moist texture that perfectly complements the bright lemon filling.

    A dessert of lemon bars with a crumb topping

    Frequently Asked Questions

    You might have some questions when making the best lemon bar on the planet! Here are some answers to commonly asked questions and if you can't find an answer don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll answer!

    Can I use a different type of cake mix?

    Yes, you can use a different type of cake mix for this recipe. Some popular choices include white cake mix, or lemon cake mix.

    Can I use fresh lemon juice?

    Unfortunately, no. You cannot substitute lemon juice in this recipe. It will need to be lemon pie filling or lemon curd in order to maintain the bars structure.

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Once the bars are cooled, you can wrap them tightly and freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw the bars overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

    How can I ensure that the lemon bars are baked perfectly and not overcooked?

    Keep a close eye on the bars while they're baking. The edges should be golden brown, and the center should be set but slightly jiggly. Overbaking can lead to a dry texture.

    Can I add any additional ingredients to the lemon filling?

    While this recipe is designed to be simple with just three ingredients, you can experiment with adding a touch of lemon zest or a splash of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

    Can I use this recipe to make mini lemon bars in a muffin tin?

    Yes, you can adapt this recipe to make mini lemon bars in a muffin tin. Adjust the baking time accordingly, as mini bars will likely bake faster than a full-size pan.

    Making This Recipe for Dietary Needs

    It's sooo easy to adapt this recipe for any dietary needs. Here are some tips:

    Gluten free

    You can totally make this recipe gluten free! You'll just need to substitute gluten free cake mix. You'll also want to make sure the lemon filling or lemon curd that you use is gluten free as well.

    Dairy free

    If you are needing a dairy free version of these bars, just check the ingredients on your cake mix and lemon filling or curd to make sure there isn't any dairy. You can use dairy free butter in this recipe.

    Storing Lemon Bars

    After the bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh for a few days. You can also freeze them for up to two months for longer storage; just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.

    Lemon Lovers

    If you are a lemon lover, welcome! So excited to have you here! Please remind yourself you are lemon lover, not a lemon addict. After you've made the best lemon bars ever, then you'll want to search for more great five ingredient or less lemon recipes!

    A close-up photo of a lemon bar on a white plate. The lemon bar is square-shaped and has a golden brown crust. The filling is a bright yellow color and has a slightly glossy sheen. The lemon bar is topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.

    Three Ingredient Best Lemon Bars Recipe

    Traci Wennerholm
    These three-ingredient lemon bars recipe are the best lemon bars out there! With the convenience of a lemon cake mix, butter, and lemon pie filling or lemon curd you can create a dessert that's a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you're looking for a quick treat for your family or an effortless dessert for gatherings, these lemon bars are your answer!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 bars
    Calories 207 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box of yellow cake mix
    • 1 14 ounce can of lemon pie filling or lemon curd
    • 1 stick ½ cup of butter, softened but not melted

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix and butter. Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
    • Pour the lemon pie filling over the crust.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set.
    • Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

    Notes

    Bars can be stored in an airtight container for several days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 402mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 3IUCalcium: 91mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword best lemon bars, easy lemon bars, homemade lemon bars, lemon bar serving suggestions, lemon bar storage, lemon bars, tart lemon bars, three ingredient lemon bars
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