My mother-in-law demands I bring these 3-ingredient wonders to every family gathering. They always disappear before the main course is served.
These 3-Ingredient Lemon Bars are a brilliant shortcut to a classic bakery treat, using a lemon cake mix to create both a buttery shortbread-style crust and a golden, crumbly topping. By sandwiching a layer of vibrant lemon pie filling between the two, you get a dessert that is punchy, tart, and perfectly set without the need for tempering eggs or measuring out flour.
The high butter content in the cake mix ensures the crust is rich and tender, while the “damp sand” texture of the topping creates those coveted crunchy peaks.
Three ingredients. One pan. Pure lemony magic.
Why These Bars Work
✅ Just 3 ingredients – Lemon cake mix, lemon pie filling, butter – that’s it
✅ No eggs – The pie filling sets beautifully on its own
✅ No measuring flour – The cake mix does the work
✅ No tempering – No complicated custard-making
✅ Perfectly tart and sweet – Bright lemon flavor in every bite
✅ Buttery shortbread crust – Rich, tender, and delicious
✅ Crunchy crumb topping – Those golden peaks are irresistible
✅ Crowd-pleaser – Disappears before the main course
The 3 Ingredients
Ingredient Amount Notes
Lemon cake mix 1 (15.25 oz) box Any brand works
Lemon pie filling 1 (21 oz) can Not pudding—pie filling
Unsalted butter ½ cup (1 stick) Melted
That’s it. No eggs. No extra sugar. No complicated steps.
The Method: Mix, Press, Fill, Top, Bake, Devour
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Crumb Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine:
Lemon cake mix
Melted butter
Stir with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It should hold together when pressed but still look crumbly.
Step 3: Press the Crust
Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly.
Step 4: Add the Filling
Spread lemon pie filling evenly over the crust.
Step 5: Add the Topping
