WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
I remember the first time I made these 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars. It was a frantic Tuesday afternoon. My youngest needed a treat for her class bake sale. I had zero butter, no flour, and no time. Panic set in. Then, I remembered this little trick.
These 2 ingredient lemon bars saved me. They are bright, tangy, and incredibly creamy. You will not believe how simple they are. These easy lemon bars use only two common ingredients. They taste like sunshine. Everyone at the bake sale begged for the recipe.
Now, this is our go-to dessert. These no-bake 2 ingredient lemon bars are a lifesaver for busy moms.
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2 Ingredient Lemon Bars
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 15 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars are a lifesaver for busy moms. Made with just angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling, they are bright, tangy, and incredibly creamy. A no-bake style dessert that's perfect for bake sales or quick treats.
Ingredients
1 box (16 oz) Angel Food Cake Mix
1 can (21 oz) Lemon Pie Filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish well
- In a large bowl, combine dry angel food cake mix (do not prepare) and entire can of lemon pie filling. Stir gently until just combined. Batter will be thick and fluffy
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clea
- Cool completely in pan before cutting. Use a plastic knife to prevent sticking
Notes
Do not add water, oil, or eggs to the cake mix; use it dry.
Fold filling gently to avoid overmixing which can cause rubbery texture.
Let bars cool fully to set properly; cutting too soon makes them messy.
Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: lemon bars, 2 ingredient, easy, no-bake, angel food cake, lemon pie filling
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

This is the beauty of this recipe. You need just two things to create these 2 ingredient lemon bars. Make sure they are high quality. It makes all the difference.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Food Cake Mix | 1 box (16 oz) | Use a standard, dry mix. Do not prepare it. |
| Lemon Pie Filling | 1 can (21 oz) | Use a “no-bake” or “instant” style filling for best results. |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
These 2 ingredient lemon bars are very forgiving. You can change them up easily. For a key lime flavor, use key lime pie filling.
Swap the lemon for a different citrus pie filling for a new twist. Want a sweeter bar? Use a strawberry pie filling instead.
These quick lemon bars adapt well. You can also add a swirl of raspberry jam before baking. It creates beautiful color.
For a fun topping, sprinkle with powdered sugar after cooling. The base of these simple 2 ingredient lemon bars stays the same.
These 2 ingredient lemon bars are very forgiving. You can change them up easily. For a key lime flavor, use key lime pie filling. Swap the lemon for a different citrus pie filling for a new twist. Want a sweeter bar? Use a strawberry pie filling instead. These quick lemon bars adapt well. You can also add a swirl of raspberry jam before baking. It creates beautiful color. For a fun topping, sprinkle with powdered sugar after cooling. If you love easy dessert variations, you might also enjoy Greek Yogurt Jello Dessert (2 ingredients).
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
prepare the oven and pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish well. Do not use parchment paper. The batter sticks to the pan slightly.
mix the two ingredients
Open the box of angel food cake mix. Pour the dry mix into a large bowl. It is crucial you do not prepare the mix.
Add the entire can of lemon pie filling. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
The batter will be thick. It will also be fluffy. These 2 ingredient lemon bars come together in seconds.
Bake to perfection
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should be golden brown.
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Let the 2 ingredient lemon bars cool completely in the pan. This is important for structure.
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Here are my secrets for perfect 2 ingredient lemon bars. First, never mix the cake mix with water, oil, or eggs. Use it dry.
This is key. Second, fold the filling in gently. Overmixing deflates the air.
Third, let them cool fully. These super easy lemon bars set as they cool. Cutting them too soon makes them messy.
Finally, use a plastic knife to cut them. It prevents the bars from sticking to the blade. These 2 ingredient lemon bars are foolproof if you follow these steps.
Here are my secrets for perfect 2 ingredient lemon bars. First, never mix the cake mix with water, oil, or eggs. Use it dry. This is key. Second, fold the filling in gently. Overmixing deflates the air. Third, let them cool fully. These super easy lemon bars set as they cool. Cutting them too soon makes them messy. Finally, use a plastic knife to cut them. It prevents the bars from sticking to the blade. For another simple treat, try making 2-Ingredient Keto Cottage Cheese Bagels.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
Store leftover 2 ingredient lemon bars in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate them.
They stay fresh for up to five days in the fridge. You can also freeze these 2 ingredient lemon bars. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
Then, place them in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to three months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Serve them cold or at room temperature. These 2 ingredient lemon bars do not need reheating. They are perfect as is.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE

These 2 ingredient lemon bars are wonderful on their own. However, they pair nicely with other things. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The creaminess balances the tang. A dollop of whipped cream also works well. For a summer treat, add fresh berries on the side.
A cup of hot tea or iced coffee complements the citrus flavor. These 2 ingredient lemon bars are a star at any gathering. They are light enough for a brunch. They are sweet enough for a dessert table.
These 2 ingredient lemon bars are wonderful on their own. However, they pair nicely with other things. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess balances the tang. A dollop of whipped cream also works well. For a summer treat, add fresh berries on the side. A cup of hot tea or iced coffee complements the citrus flavor. These 2 ingredient lemon bars are a star at any gathering. If you want another quick appetizer, check out 20 Minute Spinach Ricotta Bites Recipe.
FAQS
Can I use homemade lemon curd instead of pie filling?
Yes, you can. However, the texture changes slightly. Canned pie filling has stabilizers.
These 2 ingredient lemon bars turn out best with the can. If you use homemade curd, expect a denser bar.
Why are my 2 ingredient lemon bars rubbery?
This usually happens from overmixing. Fold the ingredients gently. You want a soft batter. Overworking the mixture creates tough 2 ingredient lemon bars.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients. Use a larger sheet pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. You can easily make a big batch of these 2 ingredient lemon bars for parties.
A 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars recipe is a quick dessert that typically uses a box of dry angel food cake mix combined with a can of lemon pie filling. This simple method leverages the leavening agents in the cake mix to create a light texture without the need for additional eggs or oil, similar to a lemon bar but with minimal effort.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 380mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 28g |
| Protein | 2g |
*Note: These values are estimates based on standard ingredients. Actual nutrition for your 2 ingredient lemon bars may vary.
