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I used to think that lemon bars were too complicated and messy to make very often… This recipe is proof that I was wrong! These 3-Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix are AMAZING. 

They’re so deliciously gooey and sweet, they look fantastic, and no one will know that it only took three ingredients and four steps to make them! A traditional lemon bar is one of my favorite desserts, so these are dangerous for me to have around! 

images and text of 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix for pinterest

I love that lemon bars are basically pie you can carry around with you while eating with your hands! Perfect for the summer with a pop of color and the crisp, tart, flavor that comes with the lemon, these are sure to become a fast favorite. 

Take my word for it and double the batch, they’ll be flying off the counter before you have a chance to taste them. If you’re looking for a way to cut back on the sweetness you can always leave the powdered sugar off the top. 

They are plenty sweet without the powdered sugar but they look gorgeous with a little sprinkled across the tops. I may also have to try this recipe out with some other types of pie filling; I think they would be equally delicious even though lemon is the best! 

I’ll definitely be making these cake mix lemon bars for a few parties and BBQs this summer because they’re a quick dessert that is easy to make. Simple and delicious is my perfect kind of dessert for both everyday and special occasions!

birds eye view of 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix wedges

Where’s the Recipe?

Here at My Crazy Good Life we work hard to provide easy to read and helpful recipes for all of my readers. If you are confident in your cooking skills and are ready to bake, simply scroll past the detailed instructions, helpful hints, and nutritional information.

At the bottom of this post you’ll find our printable recipe for the delicious 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix recipe. 

Ingredients for 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix

  • Box of Angel Food Cake Mix: Just the classic dry cake mix – the kind that you just add water to, but don’t add water! Other lemon bar recipes use yellow cake mix, but we prefer the fluffiness of Angel Food Cake. The box of cake mix is the perfect base for our lemon bars. 
  • Lemon Pie Filling: You’ll need one can of lemon pie filling. Lemon Pie filling gives our bars a big lemon flavor, which we all love. We prefer the Duncan Hines brand – we found this brand helps make the best lemon bars.  
  • Powdered Sugar: Powered sugar is the same thing as confectioner’s sugar. Who doesn’t love a little powdered sugar sprinkled on top of all delicious desserts? 
3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix on wood cutting board

How to Make 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix

  1. Grease a 9×13 pan and preheat oven to 350º.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix cake mix and pie filling. Do NOT add water.
  3. Pour into prepared pan or baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
  4. Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar after cutting.

Recipe Tips

  • When baking, we like to make our easy lemon bars by preparing the pan with parchment paper. This helps the bars come out easily with no risk of it sticking to the pan. 
  • If you want to fancy this up even more for all of those lemon lovers, add a little lemon zest on top of the lemon bars after the powder sugar. The fresh lemons will be the perfect addition to this lemon bar recipe. 
  • If you have remaining lemon bars, store in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Our lemon squares will remain fresh at room temperature for a few days, and will last up to five days in the refrigerator. 
  • Our lemon bars will be more fluffy than a lemon pound cake, and much lighter than lemon pudding. It’s the perfect fluffy easy dessert.

More delicious dessert recipes

3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix on wood cutting board
3.93 from 39 ratings
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3 Ingredient Lemon Bars from Cake Mix

Created by: Becca Ludlum
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Approximate Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Servings 8 people
These 3 ingredient lemon bars are the perfect blend of simple and delicious! They’re super easy to make and they taste AMAZING!

Equipment

  • Baking Dish
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients 

  • 16 oz angel food cake mix the kind that you just add water to, but don’t add water!
  • 21 oz lemon pie filling
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Grease a 9×13 pan and preheat oven to 350.
  • In a large bowl, mix cake mix and pie filling. Do NOT add water. 16 oz angel food cake mix 21 oz lemon pie filling
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
  • Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar after cutting. 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • Cut into 8 bars and enjoy!

Notes

Recipe Tips
  • When baking, we like to make our easy lemon bars by preparing the pan with parchment paper. This helps the bars come out easily with no risk of it sticking to the pan. 
  • If you want to fancy this up even more for all of those lemon lovers, add a little lemon zest on top of the lemon bars after the powder sugar. The fresh lemons will be the perfect addition to this lemon bar recipe. 
  • If you have remaining lemon bars, store in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Our lemon squares will remain fresh at room temperature for a few days, and will last up to five days in the refrigerator. 
  • Our lemon bars will be more fluffy than a lemon pound cake, and much lighter than lemon pudding. It’s the perfect fluffy easy dessert.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg

Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

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6 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    good but more like lemon cake

  2. What are the containers for 21 day fix please?

  3. FINALLY trying this Bec, I’ll let you know 🍰

  4. Vanessa Harrison says:

    I recently found a recipe for lemon bars made with angel food cake and lemon yogurt.
    I am unable to find that recipe now, can you please help me???
    Thank you
    Vanessa

  5. I don’t know what I did wrong but this GREW in the 9×13 pan to at least 4-5” tall and even after cooking it for 35 minutes, was just goo in the middle.
    I also used parchment paper as the hints suggest but instead of sticking to the pan, it stuck to the paper.
    I ended up throwing it all away.

3.93 from 39 votes (38 ratings without comment)

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