Lemon Bars With Cake Mix
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These Lemon Bars with cake mix are perfect for when you’re craving a zesty treat without the hassle! These easy bars combine the bright flavor of lemon with the ease of a cake mix, making them the perfect quick and delicious dessert! They’re like lemon bars with a shortcut!
Need even more lemon desserts? Try my lemon pie bars and lemon cheesecake bars!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This cake mix lemon bar recipe starts with a mix, making it a fast and convenient option for a homemade dessert.
- Minimal Ingredients: With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is budget-friendly and doesn’t require a lot of shopping.
- Great for Beginners: Using a cake mix simplifies the baking process, making it an ideal recipe for novice bakers.
- Perfect Balance: The combination of sweet and tart flavors provides a delightful contrast that’s incredibly satisfying.
I’ve got to share my latest go-to dessert with you: Cake Mix Lemon Bars. Seriously, these are perfect anytime of year. They start with a sweet cake mix cookie base and are topped with a tangy lemon cream cheese filling that’s just to die for. They’re super easy to make and always a hit, whether it’s for a summer picnic or a cozy winter treat. Trust me, you’re going to love them!
What I love most about these cake mix lemon cake mix bars is how effortless they are to prepare. You just mix up the cake mix for the base, whip together the creamy lemon filling, and pop them in the oven. In no time, your kitchen smells amazing and you’ve got a batch of bars ready to share—or keep all to yourself! They’re perfect for when you need a quick dessert that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Ingredients for Cake Mix Lemon Bars
Let’s break down the ingredients for this lemon bar recipe from a cake mix! Using a simple box of cake mix as the base, these bars come together in no time, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with minimal effort. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delicious treat.
- Lemon Cake Mix: Lemon cake mix is a great base for many desserts, not just cakes. It provides a consistent lemon flavor that pairs well with various fillings and toppings. Pick your favorite brand.
- Lemon Pudding Mix: Make sure to use instant pudding mix unless the recipe specifies otherwise, as it blends easily without additional cooking. The pudding mix is what helps boost the citrus flavor.
- Egg: Egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and providing structure to the crust and crumble.
- Oil: Use a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola oil so it doesn’t overpower the lemon flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before mixing. This makes it easier to blend and results in a smoother filling.
- Sugar: Just a touch of sugar with the cream cheese helps to tone down and balance the flavor.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Lemon helps bring in a more fresh flavor. When zesting, avoid the white pith beneath the skin as it can be bitter. Only use the bright yellow outer layer.
Recipe Variations
These lemon bars from cake mix are insanely delicious all on their own. However, there are a few ways you can jazz things up!
- Lemon-Blueberry Bars: Add a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the cream cheese mixture before spreading it over the crust.
- Lemon-Raspberry Bars: Swirl raspberry jam into the cream cheese layer for a fruity twist.
- Lemon-Coconut Bars: Sprinkle shredded coconut on top of the cream cheese layer before baking.
- Glaze: Drizzle a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice over the top before serving.
How to Make Lemon Bars with Cake Mix
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it can warm up while you prepare the ingredients.
- Prepare the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, dry lemon pudding mix, one egg, and the oil. Stir the mixture until it becomes crumbly. It’s okay if there are small lumps. Take out 1 cup of this crumbly mixture and set it aside for later use.
- Form the Base: Pat the remaining crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Press it down firmly to create a solid crust. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. This will form the base layer of your lemon bars made from cake mix.
- Make the Filling: In a clean mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Use an electric mixer to beat these ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Filling and Topping: Once the base is done baking, take it out of the oven. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of the hot crust. Sprinkle the 1 cup of reserved crumbly mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Bake Again: Place the baking pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This helps the filling to set properly.
Storage Instructions
To keep your Cake Mix Lemon Bars fresh and delicious, allow them to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Store the cut bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If stacking the bars, place parchment or wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
For longer storage, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before serving. This ensures your lemon bars maintain their texture and flavor, ready to be enjoyed anytime!
Expert Recipe Tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend more smoothly and evenly into the batter.
- Pre-baking the Crust: Make sure to bake the crust for the full 15 minutes before adding the filling. This ensures the base is firm and won’t become soggy when the filling is added.
- Even Layering: Press the crumbly mixture evenly and firmly into the pan to create a uniform crust. This ensures an even base for the cream cheese layer.
- Cool Completely: Allow the lemon bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This helps the filling to set properly and makes for cleaner cuts.
- Clean Cuts: For neat squares, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. This prevents the creamy filling from sticking to the knife and making a mess.
- Garnish: Add a simple bakery worthy finish with a candied lemon slice garnish!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla or white cake mix for a different twist. However, using lemon cake mix will give you the best lemon flavor.
You can use vanilla pudding mix instead. It will still add moisture and a hint of sweetness, though the lemon flavor won’t be as pronounced.
To really amp up the lemon flavor in your cake mix lemon bars, start by adding fresh lemon juice along with the water in the recipe, and mix in the zest of one or two lemons for a burst of citrusy aroma. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter for an extra punch.
Yes, you can make them a day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese can cause lumps. Beat it well with the sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
More Lemon Desserts
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Lemon Bars with Cake Mix
Ingredients
Crust and Crumble
- 1 (15.25 oz) lemon cake mix
- 1 (3.4oz) instant lemon pudding
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup oil
Cream Cheese Filling
- 2 (8oz) cream cheese
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, dry lemon pudding mix, one egg, and the oil. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly texture with some small lumps. Reserve 1 cup of this crumb mixture for later use.
- Evenly press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan, pressing firmly to create a solid crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to set the base layer.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Once the base is baked, remove it from the oven. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the hot crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to ensure the filling sets properly.
Notes
- Even Layering: Press the crumbly mixture evenly and firmly into the pan to create a uniform crust. This ensures an even base for the cream cheese layer.
- Cool Completely: Allow the lemon bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This helps the filling to set properly and makes for cleaner cuts.
- Clean Cuts: For neat squares, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. This prevents the creamy filling from sticking to the knife and making a mess.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
