If you’re searching for the ultimate citrus dessert that’s impossibly easy and bright with flavor, Lemon Cake Bars absolutely belong at the top of your baking list. Combining an irresistibly tender crumb with a tangy lemon glaze, these bars capture everything you love about a fresh-squeezed lemonade stand and a classic lemon cake in a single, sunny bite. Whether it’s spring brunch, a quick weeknight treat, or just an excuse to celebrate the joy of all things lemon, these bars deliver zing, sweetness, and a whole lot of “wow.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Lemon Cake Bars is blissfully short and sweet, but each plays a key role in building layers of bright citrus flavor and dreamy texture. Here’s what makes these bars so crave-worthy:
- Lemon Cake Mix: The backbone of this recipe — it brings instant, reliable lemon flavor and guarantees a soft, plush crumb.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bars wonderfully moist and tender without making them heavy.
- Eggs: Two large eggs add richness and help bind everything together for that perfect bar structure.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed gives you a bright, tart pop that boosts both the batter and the glaze.
- Lemon Zest: Zest from one lemon intensifies the sunny citrus aroma and flavor — don’t skip it!
- Powdered Sugar: The foundation for the dreamy lemon glaze, giving sweetness and a silky finish.
How to Make Lemon Cake Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and giving an 8×8-inch baking pan either a quick greasing or a parchment paper lift for easy removal later. Lining the pan will make slicing the Lemon Cake Bars a breeze, especially if you want clean, bakery-style edges.
Step 2: Mix Up the Lemon Cake Bar Batter
In a large bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir with a sturdy spoon or spatula until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy batter. You want everything to be thoroughly incorporated so every bite bursts with bright, zippy lemon.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, keeping an eye out for golden edges and a top that springs back when gently touched. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan; this allows their texture to set up perfectly for slicing.
Step 4: Make and Add the Tangy Glaze
While your bars cool, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. You control the consistency — add a touch more lemon juice if you like a thinner, drippy glaze. When the bars are cool, drizzle or spread the glaze on top, then let it set before cutting into squares.
How to Serve Lemon Cake Bars
Garnishes
A simple dusting of extra lemon zest just before serving adds even more fresh fragrance and color. You can also add thin lemon slices or candied citrus peel for a pretty finishing touch that echoes what’s inside the bars themselves.
Side Dishes
Lemon Cake Bars are absolutely perfect alongside a silky cup of tea, iced or hot, or with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to mellow out the sharp citrus tang. For a brunch spread, serve them beside fresh berries or a fruit salad to amplify their sunny appeal.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Lemon Cake Bars into bite-sized cubes and stack them on a dessert tower for a festive party tray. Or, serve them as part of a trio of miniature desserts, perhaps nestled between chocolate brownies and berry-topped cheesecake bites. Little cupcake wrappers or parchment squares keep things neat and extra charming.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Lemon Cake Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Their moist, dense crumb holds up beautifully and the glaze sets to a gently crackled finish that’s still fresh and flavorful.
Freezing
If you want to save Lemon Cake Bars for a future treat, simply wrap the unglazed bars tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Glaze after defrosting for best results. You can also freeze glazed bars, but be aware the glaze may lose its crispness upon thawing.
Reheating
For that freshly-baked feel, you can briefly warm individual bars in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This brings out the lemon aroma and makes the glaze just a touch gooey — pure comfort! Avoid overheating, as you don’t want to dry them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While lemon cake mix is what gives Lemon Cake Bars their signature zing, you can experiment with vanilla, white, or even strawberry cake mix for fun twists. Just be sure to keep the lemon juice and zest for a citrusy kick.
How do I make the bars extra tangy?
For an extra pucker, add more fresh lemon zest or a splash of lemon extract to the batter. Even a bit of lemon zest sprinkled on the glaze can dial up the brightness.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Double all the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. The bake time might need adjustment — check for doneness with a toothpick at the 25-minute mark and go from there.
My glaze is too thin or thick. What should I do?
If the glaze seems too runny, whisk in a little more powdered sugar. Too thick? Add a few drops more lemon juice at a time until you hit the perfect consistency for drizzling or spreading.
Are these bars suitable for a picnic?
Lemon Cake Bars are picnic-perfect: they’re sturdy, easy to transport, and don’t mind being out of the fridge for a few hours. Just keep them in a covered container to protect the glaze from melting in very hot sun.
Final Thoughts
If you love vibrant desserts that deliver on both flavor and simplicity, you owe it to yourself (and anyone lucky enough to share!) to try these Lemon Cake Bars. Trust me: one bite and you’ll be dreaming up all sorts of occasions and excuses to bake them again. Happy baking, my friend!
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Lemon Cake Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Lemon Cake Bars that are bursting with citrus flavor and topped with a tangy glaze. Easy to make with a lemon cake mix, these bars are perfect for a sweet treat or a special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) lemon cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined and a thick batter forms. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled bars. Let set before slicing.
Notes
- For extra tang, add more zest to the batter or a bit of lemon extract.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
