three-ingredient lemon cake bars;
Originally published July 27, 2018. Updated September 2, 2022 for content and clarity.
If you’re craving a sweet dessert, but looking for something healthful and low in calories, you’re in luck! This recipe for three-ingredient lemon cake bars could not be simpler. With a tart and light lemon flavor with a hint of almond, this light and fluffy cake is the perfect refreshing summer treat! Stud it with strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for an extra burst of fruity and healthy flavor!
Really only two ingredients are required for this recipe: lemon pie filling and angel food cake mix. But the third ingredient really comes down to preference! Featured here, I actually decided to toss some fresh strawberries into the mix and it was delicious! They’re definitely not needed though if you prefer a simple lemon cake. It’s delicious on it’s own.
When I photographed this recipe originally, our lovable and sometimes very annoying Shiba Inu decided to have a little chomp on my memory card. It was in my computer, but I guess somehow he managed to eject it, because all I heard was a crunch, and byebye photos. But since this is such a tasty recipe, I’ve made it again since and can update the photos!
Add your favorite kind of berry to these lemon cake bars to make them lemon berry cake bars. Strawberries are delicious, raspberries pair well with the tart lemon. Or go for blueberries, or as I like to call them–bloobs! (Mostly cuz it’s just fun to say.)
What I love about this recipe first and foremost is how easy and tasty it is. The flavor from the angel food cake mix actually comes in with a delicate almond flavor. The amaretto flavor surprisingly stands up to the tart lemon and helps balance the sour flavor of these light and airy cake bars.
If you’re up for using more than three ingredients, try topping these lemon cake bars with fresh whipped cream and fresh berries! Mix and match your berries and pop a couple blueberries on top for a red white and blue theme–er, red yellow and blue? Or even a drizzle of chocolate or caramel to make it extra decadent.
These lemon cake bars are so light and delicate, but so packed full of tart and sweet flavor that they’re great for picnics, summer BBQs, potlucks and more! A perfect recipe to please a crowd, and all without slaving away in the kitchen. This recipe is great to keep in your back pocket when you need something light and delicious but just simply don’t have the time.
And if you somehow manage to find a little extra time, whip up that fresh whipped cream for serving! Whip together 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 Tbsp of sugar (or more, to taste) until light and fluffy. Spread on the lemon cake bars before serving! If not, take a sieve and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. It really does help to use a sieve to get that even, dainty powdered sugar look. They still look lovely with just powdered sugar, and no whipping required.
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three-ingredient lemon cake bars;
Ingredients
- 1 box angel food cake mix
- 1 15 oz can lemon pie filling
- fresh fruit for mixing or serving
- powdered sugar or whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the box of angel food cake and the lemon pie filling. Mix until just combined. If desired, fold in fresh fruit (raspberries pictured here).
- Line a 9”x13” pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Add cake mixture to the pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until beginning to brown on the sides.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Once cool, cut into 24 slices and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Alternatively, serve with fruit salsa or whipped cream and fruit.
4 Comments
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