If you love lemon-flavored desserts but want something quick and simple, these 2-ingredient lemon bars are the answer. With just a lemon-flavored cake mix and canned lemon pie filling, you can whip up a batch of tangy, sweet, and easy-to-make bars in no time. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity—it requires minimal prep and yields a zesty, crowd-pleasing treat. These bars are perfect for a spontaneous dessert or to bring to a gathering.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. This ensures the lemon bars don’t stick, making it easier to serve them later.
Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix and the lemon pie filling. There’s no need for eggs or oil as the pie filling provides all the moisture you need. Stir until fully combined, forming a thick, lemony batter.
Bake: Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Once baked, let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. These lemon bars are great as is, but for an extra touch, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a more elegant finish.
For a bit more texture and contrast, consider adding a simple crust by pressing a graham cracker base into the bottom of the baking dish before pouring in the lemon batter. This gives a crunchy layer to balance the soft, zesty filling. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also experiment by adding fresh lemon zest to intensify the citrus flavor.
These 2-ingredient lemon bars are proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something delicious. With minimal effort, you can have a sweet, tangy dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re craving a quick snack or need to bring a dessert to a gathering, these lemon bars are sure to be a hit. Simple, versatile, and bursting with lemon flavor, they’re a go-to recipe that you’ll make time and time again.