These Easy, 5-Ingredient Lemon Bars have the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Made with a lemony box cake mix and sweetened condensed milk, this cake mix dessert is always a favorite!
Whether you need a quick treat for lunch boxes or food for a summer picnic, this Lemon Bar Recipe should be at the top of your list! Made with only a few ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, your entire family will love this one!
These are the best lemon bars that make the perfect lemon dessert. I think you’re going to love this easy recipe! The good thing about this dessert is that every bite has the perfect amount of lemon.
This means that this is the only recipe you’ll need to keep on hand because it has the best flavor. When you have a good recipe like this one and you’re able to use simple ingredients, there’s no reason to change it up!
5-Ingredient Cake Mix Dessert FTW!
Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars have always been a favorite of mine – so I decided to come up with a recipe that tastes as good but is made in half the time AND ingredients!
All you need for this homemade lemon bars recipe is a few ingredients you most likely already have on hand in your pantry. It’s so easy to make, even the kids can help!
If you’re a lemon lover, you really can’t miss out on this great recipe. They’re a bit like traditional lemon bars, just without the powdered sugar right on top.
I also love that instead of a shortbread base, we use a lemon layer of cake mix instead. It’s amazing how these gooey lemon bars are literally heaven in your mouth!
You can choose to serve this easy lemon bars recipe at a special occasion or just a fun way to eat a great lemon bar at home. The lemon mixture really does make delicious lemon bars that will have everyone craving seconds of those tasty lemon squares. The next time that you’re craving classic lemon bars, this is the recipe you need to make!
Ingredients
- Lemon cake mix – 1 box of your favorite boxed cake mix. I always reach for Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker.
- Butter – I always use real, unsalted butter in all my baking recipes.
- Egg
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice is best if you can squeeze some from fresh lemons!
How to Make Lemon Bars
Step 1: Mix
Preheat oven to 350 °F. In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter, and egg. (it will be thick)
Step 2: Add to Pan
Spread mixture evenly into bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan. You may need to use your hands to pat it down.
Step 3: Blend Topping
Blend together sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour mixture over top of cake mix mixture.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 23 to 27 minutes.
Step 5: Enjoy
Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
FAQ
You can store these bars at room temperature. However, I love the way they taste when refrigerated. Up to you!
Lemon Bars are best stored lightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. To store lemon bars for a longer period of time, such as a week or up to four months, place them in the freezer.
Lemon bars can be frozen for up to 3-4 months. Cut the bars into squares, and place them onto a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour then wrap individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag before placing back in the freezer.
For more amazing sweet treats, try these reader favorites next!
Lemon Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter, and egg. (it will be thick)
- Spread mixture evenly into bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan. You may need to use your hands to pat it down.
- Blend together sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour mixture over top of cake mix mixture.
- Bake for 23 to 27 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
- Garnish with grated lemon if desired.
