Okay, so I’ve been seeing lemon bars all over my Pinterest feed lately, and they looked so darn good, I just had to try making them. But, you know me, I’m all about keeping things simple. So I thought, “Why not try using a lemon cake mix to make things even easier?” And guess what? It totally worked!
Getting Started
First things first, I grabbed a box of lemon cake mix – any brand will do, really. Then, I checked the pantry for the other usual suspects: eggs, butter (melted, of course), and some powdered sugar for that pretty dusting on top. Oh, and don’t forget the fresh lemons! We need that zesty lemon juice for the filling, and a little zest will get a stronger flavor.
Making the Crust
This is where the cake mix magic happens. I dumped the whole box of cake mix into a big bowl. Then, I poured in 1/2 cup of melted butter and added one egg. I mixed it all together until it formed this crumbly dough. Don’t overmix it, just until it comes together. Then just press the dough in to make it flat as a base.
Next, I pressed this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. I used my fingers, but you could totally use the back of a spoon or something. Just make sure it’s evenly spread and packed down.
Whipping Up the Filling
Now for the lemony goodness! In a separate bowl, I whisked together 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice, 4 eggs, and two tablespoons of lemon zest. To make it a little rich, add a little melted butter(about 4 tablespoons). Then I slowly added a cup and a half of powdered sugar, making sure to stir it in well so there were no lumps. It should be nice and smooth.
Baking Time!
I poured the lemon filling over the crust, making sure it was evenly distributed. Then, I popped the whole thing into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). It baked for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the filling is set and doesn’t jiggle too much when you gently shake the pan.
Cooling and Serving
The hardest part is waiting for it to cool! I let it cool completely in the pan, then stuck it in the fridge for at least an hour to chill. This makes it so much easier to cut into nice, neat squares.
Once it’s chilled, dust the top generously with powdered sugar. Then all is done. I am so excited and it taste so good.
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