2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are so easy to make! All you need is a box of Angel Food Cake and a can of Lemon Pie Filling! Mix them together to make delicious easy Lemon Bars.
2 Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe
I love easy recipes! Recipes that you can throw together super fast and have a scrumptious treat! That is exactly what this 2 ingredient easy Lemon Bars Recipe offers!
You can have this ready to go in less than a couple of minutes and have a hot yummy Lemon Bar on the plate in front of you in less than 30 minutes. Hello YUM!!!
I made these for a work party John was hosting. All of the Park Rangers were working together and I figured they would not complain if I brought out a sweet treat. Let's just say the plate of Lemon Bars was empty in a few quick seconds!
Wait until you try these 2 Ingredient Cherry Bars too! Oh my goodness they are so delicious! Oh and 2 ingredient Peach Bars! LOL!
I am constantly amazed at the amazing desserts you can make with angel food cake. I love the Mandarin Orange Angel Food Cake and Pineapple Angel Food cakes that only takes 2 ingredients!
I recently heard these lemon bars using cake mix called sunshine lemon bars.
Ingredients needed
Yes! These are the only two ingredients you need to make this recipe!
Powdered Sugar - To top the bars if you wish
Angel Food Cake Mix - must be the one-step, just-add-water kind!
One thing to know is Marla commented to not use Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake. I haven't tried it but she said that it did not work.
Optional - If you want these even more lemon flavor you can add lemon zest into the batter and/or on top of these bars.
You can also place slices of lemons across the top before baking if you really want the hit of lemon.
Optional toppings - Whipped cream, blueberries, raspberries, lemon glaze, candied lemon peel
Equipment needed
Large Mixing Bowl - We are big fans of this glass batter bowl that has a handle. It makes it easy to mix ingredients and keeps the mixing bowl steady on the counter.
9 x 13 Baking Dish - Also known as a 3 quart casserole dish.
Non-stick cooking spray or Parchment Paper
Spatula
Heat resistant potholders - A couple of years ago, we had a fire scare when we didn't realize we had turned a burner on, and a cloth potholder caught fire. Thankfully we walked by the kitchen and saw the smoke and were able to get it out ourselves. Since then, we have only used these heat-resistant potholders.
How to make 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
Step 1 - Preheat the oven, gather supplies.
Step 2 - Carefully mix lemon pie filling with angel food cake dry mix. The angel food cake is super light and will spread everywhere if you mix this too quickly to start.
I like to use a spatula to gently fold the mixture together and keep all of the ingredients in the mixing bowl.
I did not try mixing it with my KitchenAid electric mixer because I am pretty sure there would be cake mix all over the kitchen and me.
The lemon bar dough should be light and fluffy.
Step 3 - Carefully spread lemon bar batter in a 9x13 casserole dish.
You can line the pan with parchment paper to make it easier to remove the lemon bar recipe using cake mix bars. Just make sure you get the parchment paper as high as you can in the pan so the mix does not get under it.
Also, use some butter to make the parchment paper really stick to the pan. Otherwise, as you can see in the video above the parchment paper tends to move around if you don't have it stuck down really well.
I like this pre-cut parchment paper that makes it really easy to line pans.
Bake the lemon bars until they are golden brown and then allow them to cool before cutting into them.
Once the Lemon Bars with cake mix have cooled you can dust them with powdered sugar if desired.
Cut into squares and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
DO NOT ADD WATER or follow the Angel Food Cake box instructions! Trust me it will not turn out the same.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
These lemon angel food cake bars are light and delicious!
Printable recipe card instructions are below.
Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
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2 Ingredient Lemon Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake Mix must be the one step, just-add-water kind
- 21 Ounce lemon pie filling
Instructions
- Combine angel food cake and lemon pie filling carefully.
- Pour into a 9x13 pan
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees
Kitchen Tools
- 9X13 Pan
- Parchment Paper
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared on May 31, 2013. Updated January 2020, December 2022
Marlene
Thankyou Tammilee for a easy lemon dessert recipe. Love lemon.
Susan
Reading this makes me wonder if everyone read the same recipe that I did.... or was it in a foreign language. I bought the box as indicated, one that was NOT Gluetin free. Followed instructions and added the lemon pie filling ONLY. Put it in the pan and baked as indicated. Maybe a bit longer... Came out exactly as described.
Love Lemon Curd. Will try that "mistake" next. Thank you. Susan
Carolina Gal
My store was out of lemon pie filling. Used 2 jars of Dickinson’s lemon curd instead (20 oz. total). Best, chewiest bars ever! Was preparing to make them again several weeks later using the lemon pie filling, but family said not to change anything!
Also, read the angel food box carefully to be sure it does not call for eggs. I followed the directions here as I normally would, but the bars came out spongy.
Susan R
Many people have commented that the 2 ingredient lemon bars turn out better if you use a lemon cake mix (15 to 16 ounce size) and one can of 21 ounce lemon pie filling. Some add 1/4C lemon juice OR 1T lemon extract. I have not tried the recipe yet, but when I do it will be with the cake mix.
Sharon Richmond
Loved this. I'm not a baker so something easy is my style. Followed recipe exactly, turned out like it shows. Don't know why anyone would have trouble. My only question is, how do you store any leftovers. I'm the only one who eats them so don't want to let any waste.
Kelly
These are definitely a keeper! Soo good!
Suzanne
This looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Shay
Hi Tammilee a quick question . Can I use the box lemon pie filling instead of canned lemon pie filling ? Canned pie filling is hard to find where I live . Thx Tammilee
Tammilee
Hi, I haven't tried it with a lemon pie filling from a box so I am not sure.
Pat
Can’t find lemon pie filling. Will lemon curd work?? Equal amounts??
Tammilee
Hi, Unfortunately lemon curd will not work the same.
Heather
Can you use a bunt pan?
Tammilee
I haven't tried a bundt pan but I would think it would work great. You may just have to watch the baking time.
Carel
I agree about the zest of a lemon!
Marla
Do not use gluten free angle cake
Lucy E Hildenberger
Does the 9x13 pan require any preparation?
Mary Devenney
How many points are lemon bars made with angel food cakes and lemon pie filling ?
Kym Tipton
How many servings? Want to make this for 200 people.
Jessica
I can’t wait to try this version! They look so yummy. I’m also curious if anyone has made this using the gluten free angel food cake box mix.
Tammy Deans
Are points calculated for WW freestyle
Tammilee
I have not calculated the recipe yet for WW Freestyle.
Shelly
Great easy recipe and everyone loved it!
Kay Hirsch
An you use blackberry instead of lemon????
Mary
I made these. Very good but was more like a lemon cake then bars. Very simple to make if your in a pinch.
Curtis
Could you use a regular cake mix of pound cake mix to make them denser?
Ida Pletz
Well tried this recipe today. They look good going to have them for dessert tonight. I did make them in a glass pan and they blew up to the top but have dropped down as they cooled. So we will see.
Erica
I came across this recipe by accident and didn't have a glass pan so I used a mini loaf pan. They turned out beautiful and so good! I wish I could up load a photo!
Theresa
I made this tonight. After reading the previous comments I decided to add the zest of one lemon to the batter. I added it when I added the cake mix to the pudding in my mixer. The consistency is not like your "normal" lemon bars. They are a bit chewy but the flavor with the added lemon zest was good. Thanks for the recipe!
Jenn
This was DELICIOUS! Follow the directions and buy exactly what’s in the picture! Don’t add water, nowhere does it say add water. 30 minutes was perfect. Yum thanks!
Tammilee
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Lisa Trotter
I just made these bars. I mixed and cooked them exactly way the recipe said, they turned out perfect! I love them and my picky husband even liked them! I'm not sure why everyone is having such problems with it, it's really simple and delicious! I will definitely be making it again!
Peggy Ennen
Do you make the angel food cake according to there recipe then add the iimon filling or do you just? mix it all to gether
Sonia
I made the recipe I like I and also my husband but my daughter didn’t like it she said there’s no crust. Do think if I made a crust and bake then pour the two ingredients on top will be ok.
Alicia Westfall
Made them tonight and they were yummy! The comments scared me a little so I increased the temp to 365 and baked a little longer. They were more like a yummy lemon sponge bar. To the ones saying it tasted like metal I wonder if you used a metal pan. The acid from the lemon may have reacted causing your off taste. I used a glass pan and it tastes great! Thanks for the recipe!
Amber
A friend made these and I fell in love. I adore the spongey texture!
I made them once and they turned out perfect. However my second time around, the mix expanded and turned out more like angel food cake...
I haven’t tasted it yet... wish I knew what the difference was.
Nicole
I made these last night. I however. decided to use a cook and serve lemon pudding mix. I made the pudding according to the box and mixed it into the angel food cake mix still warm from the stovetop. I sprayed the 13x9 inch glass baking pan. I poured the mix into the pan and baked it about 30 minutes. The top was a very nice dark golden brown just like angel food cake i buy at the store. When taking the cake from the oven it is very fluffy. As the cake cools it shrinks down to look more like a lemon bar. They were so yummy.
Lauren
Thank you!!! I am diabetic and the lemon pie filling was too sugary to buy. Making my own would need too many one-time ingredients. Now I’ll buy sugarfree pudding mix! If really good, I’ll try chocolate and vanilla and banana. So many options now so thank you for the suggestion.
Maria Magee
Just made these. They turned out perfect. So light and fluffy! Delicious and so easy!
Tammilee
Maria, I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Joy
Question about this recipe! Do you add the water to the cake mix before adding lemon filling?
Mia
No... cake mix and lemon pie filling, only. The cake mix is the one that uses ‘water only’... but, it actually SAYS, ‘do not add the water called for on the box’. I think REAL COOKS / BAKERS overthink easy recipes like this..!! LOL Looks fab.. can’t wait to make it..!
Jodi
Do u make the angel food like it says on the box or mix the angel food dry mix with the pie filling?
Tammilee
Hi, you mix the angel food mix with the pie filling.
Lynda Campbell
I just wanted to comment on these as well, first I didn't read the comments before trying the recipe but glad I did after I started to make them. So mine did not taste like a can, I bought lemon curd mix in a box, just add egg yoke and water. I didn't know if I should mix the angel food cake as directed or substitute the curd for the water. So after reading some comments saying it rose really high I did just that and didn't add the water. Which I think was correct because they came out more like a bar "sort of", They look like a bar however kind of like an angel food bar not as light but more spongy. The flavor is ok and it's not gooey as I left it in for 30 minutes. I am bringing this to a communion and I was looking for something without nuts as there will be a nut allergy person there. I guess the calories will be lower than other things, but I don't think I'll be asked for the recipe to be honest.
Kathleen
Calories would not be too bad, right? Do you have any idea what they would be??
Hubby bought one and 1/20th of the one he bought at Sams Club was 260 calories,
it would have been like 1-1/2 inch square! Yikes, would love to try your recipe!
thanks,
Rita
Do you cook it for 20 or 30 minutes? It lists two different times. Thanks this looks great.
Siriusmom
I baked for 20 minutes. That was plenty.
Robin
I just made these today, my old oven was 30 minutes. Used the toothpick poke test!
M Lynne
I saw a recipe that called for 2 cans pie filling and it came out runny. I wish I had saw this one first when I was looking for a lemon bar recipe.
It is supposed to be all cooked solid?
Marilyn
Apparently this does not work with a gluten free angel food cake mix as I ended up with gummie bars!!!
Becky
Where did you find a gluten free angle food cake mix? I am making these today for my family but would love to be able to eat them.
Bonnie Smith
Do you grease the pan?
Zoe
These look fab. I am making them for our bake sale in June!
How many does it make
MarciaAnn Pomerleau Ricchio
Do u have 2 grease the pan
Maria
How much does this recipe make?
Bren
Hi. I sent you a FB message re: the pic for the Parade pice. If you can get to me by 1EST, I can include it. Thanks.
Elizabeth
I made these last night according to the directions and only baked them for 30 minutes instead of 20 minutes and they turned out perfect! They are definitely yummy and I will make them again.
Chivonne Marlow
I gave them an extra 10 minutes as well. My son loves lemon bars, but they don't ship well, so these seem to be a good alternative.
Christine
I read the post first on this recipe and decided to bake it longer then the 20 mins. I continued to bake the Lemon Bars for 1 hour in total. I did cover the bar's with a aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray so that it wouldn't stick to the bars. I will let you all know how it comes out. I am hoping for the best.
Jessica
I loved the Lemon Bar Recipe and thought I would try it with Chocolate Pudding... The results are still in the oven!
Rose Lierly
So i tried this recipe because it looked delish on pinterest. I mixed it correctly the put in oven for 30 mins. I was concerned because it looked raw like it didnt cook. So i came back to this site to see if i did something wrong. I read the comments below and thought i would suffer the same fate as a gooey mess. Luckily i am not a quiter so i turned up to 370 and cooked for an hour and to my surprise they cooked all the way through and came out delish. So dont give up. Just cook a bit longer if needed as your oven may cook differently. It does rise then fall to thinner bar and not fluffly like a traditional angel food. If you love lemon then this is a great recipe
Diana
I tried this recipe and I had 2 pacts in box too. All I did was mix the 2 together before I put lemon in. I thought they were good and I will probably fix again. I did cook mine alittle too long they were a bit chewy, but good.
Sara Hanten
I have to agree. I LOVE lemon and thought this would be super easy (which it was) but it was extremely rubbery and didn't have a good flavor at all. My box of angel food had two packets, an egg white packet and a flour packet...are you supposed to use them both?
Thanks...Sara
Tammilee
Hi Sara, I have never had an angel food cake mix have 2 packets in it. The one I used only had a single package of mix.
Carolyn Timmerman
I have tried a couple of your recipes, & they were good. But this 2 ingredient recipe I saw first on Pinterest, & since I love lemon, I tried it immediately! It was a waste of a cake mix, & canned lemon! In fact, all I could taste was the can. Just walk on by this one...
Tammilee
Sorry to hear you did not like the Lemon Bars. I am not sure why they would taste like the can.
Marianne
Hi, I have made these bars several times and they come out perfect cooking exactly as the recipe says. I use one box angel food cake, the type you only add water to and two cans of 15.75 oz comstock lemon pie filling. They aren't awesome, a little more like lemon sponge cake rather than bars, but the kids love them. I would probably never bring them to a family get together but for at home for a family treat they are great. My tips for other's who had issues, don't over beat and don't start mixing until your oven is up to temperature, since the longer it sits after mixing the more it increases in volume. I used glass 13 x 9 at 350 for 25 mins and it was perfect 🙂
Mia
MAYBE CAN EXPIRED.
Judi
I agree with Tammilee! I made this recipe and after mixing it by hand, it was fluffy and spongy even before pouring it in the cake pan. While checking the cake 1/2 way through the cooking time, it grew to 1 1//2 inches above the top of the pan!! It's A-L-I-V-E!!!! I removed the cake after the instructed baking time, hoping that it would 'sink down' to a normal lemon bar height. It never did. I tried cutting it into squares and it was a squishy, nasty mess. I tasted it, thinking I could just use the edge pieces (I made these for a real estate open house!), but I, too, thought they tasted like a tin can. Not only did I throw the whole pan of lemon bars in the trash, but the recipe went, too.
Brenda
I have to agree. I bought the ingredients in anticipation of baking this to serve at a simple dinner party. I am thankful that I tested it two days ahead.... Not only does it taste like metal, it had a chemical smell before I put it into the oven. We must have done something differently,, as the way they turned out for me, I wouldn't have dreamed of sharing the recipe. Wasted my time and ingredients.