Two Ingredient Lemon Bars

The tangy, sweet perfection of Two Ingredient Lemon Bars delivers an irresistible citrus punch with minimal effort. These bright, zesty treats offer the perfect balance of buttery crust and silky lemon topping that melts in your mouth with each bite. The magic of these Two Ingredient Lemon Bars lies in their simplicity – just angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling transform into a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. You’ll learn how to create this effortless dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or satisfying your sweet tooth on a busy weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Two Ingredient Lemon Bars will quickly become your go-to dessert for so many reasons. First, the contrast between the light, airy cake base and the smooth, tangy lemon topping creates a textural experience that’s utterly satisfying. The brightness of fresh lemon flavor cuts through the sweetness, making these bars refreshingly balanced rather than cloying.

The simplicity can’t be overstated – with just two ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a bakery-quality dessert without the fuss of traditional lemon bars that require multiple steps and ingredients. These easy lemon squares are perfect for novice bakers or those moments when you need a quick dessert solution that still impresses.

Perhaps best of all, these bars maintain their fresh-baked quality for days, making them perfect for advance preparation. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply want to have a sweet treat on hand throughout the week, these Two Ingredient Lemon Bars deliver consistent deliciousness with practically zero effort.

Ingredients

For these incredible Two Ingredient Lemon Bars, you’ll need just two simple store-bought items:

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  1 box (16 oz/454g) angel food cake mix – Look for the one-step variety that only requires adding water. The light, airy quality of angel food cake creates the perfect base for these bars.

  
  
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  1 can (21 oz/595g) lemon pie filling – This provides both the intense lemon flavor and the moisture needed to create the perfect texture. Choose a quality brand for the best flavor, as it’s the star of these bars.

  
  

That’s it! These two humble ingredients work together to create a dessert that tastes like it contains dozens of perfectly balanced components. For the best lemon dessert bars, make sure both ingredients are at room temperature before mixing for optimal texture.

Pro Tips

Master the Mixing: When combining the angel food cake mix with lemon pie filling, use a gentle folding technique rather than aggressive stirring. Overmixing can deflate the air in the cake mix, resulting in dense rather than light and fluffy bars. Start by folding just until the dry ingredients are moistened, then mix for only about 30 seconds more until the batter is uniform.

Perfect Pan Preparation: These Two Ingredient Lemon Bars tend to stick, so proper pan preparation is crucial. Line your baking pan completely with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. This creates handles for easy removal after baking. If you don’t have parchment, use aluminum foil and spray generously with non-stick cooking spray.

Watch the Baking Time Carefully: Due to the unique nature of this batter, baking times can vary significantly between ovens. Start checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark. The perfect Two Ingredient Lemon Bars should have a light golden top that springs back when gently touched, while the center should be set but still moist. Overbaking will result in dry bars that lose their appealing texture contrast.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan and line it completely with parchment paper, leaving excess hanging over the sides to create handles. This step is crucial for easy removal of your Two Ingredient Lemon Bars after baking.

Step 2: Mix Your Ingredients
Empty the box of angel food cake mix into a large mixing bowl. Add the entire can of lemon pie filling. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together with a light touch. You’ll notice the mixture starting to expand as the cake mix activates. Continue folding until no dry patches remain, but avoid overmixing which can deflate your batter. The final consistency should be light and fluffy, almost like a thick mousse.

Step 3: Transfer to Pan
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, using your spatula to spread it evenly into the corners. Tap the pan gently on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles that might be trapped in the batter. The surface doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth – some texture will add character to your finished Two Ingredient Lemon Bars.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The bars are done when the top is light golden and springs back when touched gently. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Every oven is different, so start checking at 25 minutes to ensure you don’t overbake.

Step 5: Cool and Cut
Allow your Two Ingredient Lemon Bars to cool completely in the pan, which takes about 1-2 hours. Once cooled, use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire dessert out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 9 or 16 squares, depending on your preferred serving size. For the cleanest cuts, wipe your knife between slices.

Variations

Berry Lemon Fusion: Create a delightful twist on basic Two Ingredient Lemon Bars by adding 1 cup of fresh berries. Blueberries work exceptionally well, adding bursts of flavor and beautiful color contrast. Simply fold them in gently at the end of mixing, then bake as directed. The berries will create pockets of jammy sweetness that complement the tangy lemon perfectly.

Coconut Lemon Paradise: Transform these simple lemon dessert bars into a tropical treat by mixing ½ cup of sweetened shredded coconut into the batter and sprinkling another ¼ cup on top before baking. The coconut toasts beautifully while baking, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the bright lemon.

Gluten-Free Option: For those with gluten sensitivities, look for gluten-free angel food cake mix (available at many specialty stores and online). The preparation remains exactly the same, and most guests won’t even detect the difference in these delicious Two Ingredient Lemon Bars.

Storage and Serving

These Two Ingredient Lemon Bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. The texture is best when you allow refrigerated bars to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. If you want to freeze them, place the cut bars on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months frozen.

For an elegant serving suggestion, dust the tops with powdered sugar just before presenting. This adds a beautiful finishing touch and enhances the sweetness. For a more decadent dessert, serve each bar with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a small mint leaf for color contrast.

These bars also pair wonderfully with afternoon tea or coffee, making them perfect for brunch gatherings or book club meetings. For a special dessert, try serving with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of blueberry sauce.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of pie filling?
Yes! While lemon creates the classic Two Ingredient Lemon Bars, you can experiment with other pie fillings like cherry, blueberry, or key lime for different variations.

Why did my bars sink in the middle?
This typically happens if the bars are underbaked or if the oven door was opened during the first 20 minutes of baking. The angel food cake needs steady heat to set properly.

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to increase baking time by 5-10 minutes, but still check early to avoid overbaking.

My bars are too soft. What went wrong?
They may have been underbaked. The Two Ingredient Lemon Bars will firm up some as they cool, but should have a set structure. Next time, bake 3-5 minutes longer.

Can I make these ahead for a party?
Yes! These bars actually taste better the day after baking as the flavors have time to meld. They’re perfect for make-ahead desserts.

Conclusion

These Two Ingredient Lemon Bars are simplicity at its finest — a bright, zesty dessert that belies its effortless preparation. They’re the kind of treat that proves you don’t need a pantry full of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. Whether you’re a novice baker looking for a foolproof recipe or an experienced cook needing a quick dessert solution, these bars deliver consistent, impressive results that will have everyone asking for your secret. Keep these two ingredients on hand, and you’ll always be just 30 minutes away from a crowd-pleasing dessert that tastes like sunshine.

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