My mother-in-law insists I bring these 3-ingredient treats to every family gathering—and they’re always gone before dinner even starts.
3-Ingredient Lemon Crumble Bars
These easy lemon bars are a simple twist on a bakery favorite, using just three ingredients for a bright and buttery dessert. Lemon cake mix works as both the soft crust and the crisp crumb topping, while lemon pie filling adds a smooth, tangy center. The result is a perfectly balanced treat with a tender base, gooey citrus filling, and golden crumbly top.
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix (15.25–16.5 oz)
- 1 can lemon pie filling (21 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1. Prep the pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the crumble mixture
Combine the dry lemon cake mix and melted butter in a bowl. Stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly moistened.
3. Create the crust
Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
4. Add the lemon filling
Spread the lemon pie filling evenly over the crust.
5. Add the topping
Scatter the remaining crumble mixture over the top in small clusters.
6. Bake
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the filling looks set.
7. Cool and serve
Allow the bars to cool fully before slicing. For neater squares, refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving.
