Lemon Bars With Cake Mix

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These easy Lemon Bars with Cake Mix, topped with a bright tangy lemony glaze, will have your taste buds singing! A twist on classic lemon bars, these amazing treats are fluffy, moist, and absolutely irresistible.

If you like sweet and lemony treats, you’ll love these 5 ingredient lemon bars. This simple dessert is loaded with zesty goodness and the best part is that you won’t need special baking skills to make them.

A simple box of cake mix and a few other basic ingredients are transformed into a delicious batch of tangy lemon bars, perfect for any occasion. With a tender and moist texture, the bars are topped with a tangy glaze that adds the perfect pop of fresh lemon flavor.

These yummy treats are ideal for a lunch box or school snack, sharing with friends and family, or just satisfying a sweet tooth. If you love lemon desserts, you’ll also want to try this Lemon Jello Cake, copycat Girl Scout Lemonades or this Easy Lemon Pie.

Why We Love This Recipe

Quick and easy recipe: A box of lemon cake mix creates a delicious dessert with simple ingredients, in less time and effort than traditional scratch recipes. You don’t even need an electric mixer to prepare the batter.
Versatile: These zesty treats are great for potlucks, parties, or just when you have a craving for something sweet.
Sweet and tangy: Sweet, buttery cake-like bars are topped with a tangy, glaze that adds an extra pop of bright lemon flavor.

Ingredients:

Box of lemon cake mix
Large eggs
Unsalted butter, softened
Powdered sugar
Fresh lemon juice

How to Make Lemon Cake Mix Lemon Bars

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together the lemon cake mix and the eggs. Add the softened butter and mix until a dough forms.

Lemon cake mix with eggs and butter in glass bowl

Step 3. Press the lemon dough into the bottom of the pan, making sure to spread it evenly to the edges of the pan.

Step 4. Bake the bars at 350° for 16-18 minutes, until the top begins to turn golden brown.

Step 5. Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Powdered sugar and lemon juice in mixing bowl

Step 6. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the bars. Enjoy

Lemon bars uncut with glaze poured over the top

What is the Best Way to Store Lemon Cake Mix Bars

These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

You can also freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Make sure you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then slip them into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

Lemon Bar Recipe Variation

Cake mix: If you want a more subtle lemon flavor, you can use another flavor of cake mix. A white cake mix, or yellow cake mix with a little bit of lemon extract is a good choice. And both will work well with lemon glaze.

Other mix-ins: If want to add just a little crunch to your bars, mini white chocolate chips or finely chopped macadamia nuts go great without overpowering the lemon flavor.

Additional fresh lemon flavor: To give your homemade lemon bars even more tangy flavor, add some fresh lemon zest to the dry cake and some to the glaze before it dries.

Glaze: If you want a thicker lemon frosting you can mix in some softened cream cheese. Just keep in mind that you don’t want a thick cream cheese frosting because the lemon bars are thinner than a sheet cake and more delicate than a brownie.

Can I Use Store-Bought Lemon Juice?

It may seem like a small thing, but fresh lemon juice just can’t be duplicated with store-bought. It makes all the difference in the fresh, tangy flavor of the dessert.

Lemon bars with cake mix stacked with blue towel behind

Tips For Making the Best Lemon Bars with Cake Mix

Avoid overmixing: Don’t overwork the batter. This can result in tough and dry bars. Mix the ingredients just until they are well combined.

Watch your baking time: Baking times will vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the bars towards the end time. You’ll want to remove them from the oven once they are lightly browned on the edges and the center seem to be set.

Always cool before glazing: To prevent the glaze from warming up and running off the bars, let your lemon cake mix cookies completely cool before glazing. Letting the bars cool also helps them hold their shape when sliced.

Prevent sticking: If you’re worried about the bars sticking, you’ll get the best results by lining the bottom of your baking dish with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bars from the dish and cut them into even slices.

Hand holding a lemon bar with a bite take out

Want More Cake Mix Recipes?

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