3 Ingredient Lemon Bars
These 3 Ingredient Lemon Bars are a quick and effortless dessert with a buttery vanilla cake crust, tangy lemon filling, and a crumbly topping. Made with just cake mix, butter, and lemon pie filling, they are perfect for a simple yet delicious treat.
12 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix 15.25 oz
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can 21 oz lemon pie filling
Instructions
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal of the bars.
Prepare the Crust
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix and melted butter. Stir the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
- Press half of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it is spread evenly to create a stable base.
Add the Lemon Filling
- Evenly spread the lemon pie filling over the crust, using a spatula to ensure full coverage. Make sure the filling reaches the edges for consistent flavor throughout the bars.
Create the Topping
- Crumble the remaining cake mix mixture over the lemon filling, distributing it evenly to create a light and buttery crumb topping.
Bake the Lemon Bars
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges appear golden brown and the top is lightly crisped.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the lemon bars to cool completely before slicing them into squares. For an added touch, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the vanilla cake mix with a gluten-free vanilla cake mix of the same weight. Ensure that the lemon pie filling is also gluten-free by checking the label for any added thickeners or ingredients containing gluten.