Lemon bars have long been cherished as a classic dessert, known for their tangy and refreshing flavor. The origins of lemon bars can be traced back to the United States, where they gained popularity in the mid-20th century. The combination of a buttery crust and a luscious lemon filling creates a delightful treat that has become a staple in many households and bakeries.
In this recipe, we offer a quick and simple solution to capture the essence of traditional lemon bars using just two ingredients! Yes, this is definitely a shortcut to the traditional method.

What’s it like to make lemon bars traditionally? Well, the process begins with making shortbread-like crust using a mixture of flour, butter, and powdered sugar. This crust is pressed into a baking dish to form a solid base for the lemon filling. The lemon filling itself is made by whisking together fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, sugar, and a thickening agent like flour or cornstarch. This vibrant and tangy mixture is then poured over the prepared crust and then baked until the filling sets and the edges turn golden brown. In other words, a ton of ingredients, and a lot of work!
Don’t worry, our recipe below gives you the quick hack you’ve been waiting for! This is for those who crave the zesty taste of lemon bars without the work.

Ingredients:
1 box of angel food cake mix (16 ounces)
1 can of lemon pie filling (21 ounces)

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the angel food cake mix box.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the angel food cake mix and the lemon pie filling. Stir gently until the ingredients are well combined and no dry cake mix remains.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake according to the instructions on the angel food cake mix box or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (usually about 25 mins)
5. Once baked, remove the lemon bars from the oven and let them cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes.
6. After they have cooled slightly, cut the lemon bars into squares or rectangles of your desired size.

Serve the lemon bars warm or at room temperature. You can dust them with powdered sugar or serve them with whipped cream if desired.