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.
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.
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.
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!
Yes, you can use a different type of cake mix for this recipe. Some popular choices include white cake mix, or lemon cake mix.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Three Ingredient Best Lemon Bars Recipe
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.
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