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Mix a package of cake mix and pudding mix in a bowl and bake to make these quick lemon bars. They only need a few ingredients and are a delicious dessert!
What is your favorite dessert flavor? Mine is definitely lemon!
I love that sweet and tart flavor. It just makes my mouth happy.
If you love lemon too then you are going to love this recipe. They really are the best lemon bars!
Recipe Video Tutorial:
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Ingredients You'll Need For This Recipe:
Some links may be to similar items when exact items couldn't be found online.
- 1 Cook & Serve Lemon Pudding
- ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 2 ¼ Cups Water
- 1 Angel Food cake mix
- Powdered Sugar
It is important you use the Cook and Serve Pudding and the Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake.
Instant pudding doesn't have the same consistency as the cook and serve, and the cake mix needs to be "just add water". If there are multiple packets in the Angel Food Cake Mix Box it won't mix the same. Trust me, I've tried it.
Instructions:
To begin, make the Cook and Serve Lemon Pudding according to the directions on the side of the box.
Pour the Angel Food Cake Mix into a separate mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of lemon pudding.
Beat mixture on low speed for 1 minute with a hand mixer. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Pour mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13 baking dish. Don't use a smaller pan than this because the cake will overflow while baking.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Add a dusting of powdered sugar to the top while cooling.
Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
These dessert squares are called lemon bars, although the dessert is more similar to a thin lemon square cake.
When you make this lemon bar recipe, please share a photo! We'd love to see it.
How to Make Lemon Bars with a Cake Mix and Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 4.3 oz Cook & Serve Lemon Pudding Mix
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 2¼ cup Water
- 1 box Angel Food Mix
- Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- To begin, make the Cook and Serve Lemon Pudding according to the directions on the side of the box.
- Pour the Angel Food Cake Mix into a separate mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of lemon pudding.
- Beat mixture on low speed for 1 minute: beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Pour mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Don't use a smaller pan than this because the cake will overflow while baking.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top while cooling.
- Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Lemon bars will stay fresh for up to 7 days when stored in an air-tight container. No need to keep them in the refrigerator, they can be left at room temperature on your counter.
Our Baking Essential List
- We use Glass Baking Dishes for baking casseroles. I especially like the dishes with lids because leftovers can be transferred straight to the fridge.
- Silicone Kitchenware is my favorite because they don't scratch my cookware and is easy to clean!
- A Glass Cutting Board is a must to prepare all of those ingredients. We even keep ours on our counter at all times.
- This Knife Set will also become your favorite! The knives cut beautifully, and the hollow design prevents food from sticking to the blade.
Alexis AKA MOM
OHHH goodness now that is super yummy!! Thanks for the new recipe 🙂
Nici @ Posed Perfection
Yummy! Pinning to try later!
Blessings,
Nici
madge | the vegetarian casserole queen
I love how easy this is! The less ingredients the better. Pinning for later!
Blayne Burke
Omgoodness I love lemon bars and this looks soo easy and delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Claire Justine
Oh my they look so yummy 🙂 Thanks for sharing last week at Creative Mondays,,,featuring your post this week...
Marie bloominghomestead
This looks so delicious! I can't wait to give these a try! Thanks so much for linking up to Crafty Tuesday. 🙂
Anu@My Dream Canvas
I am visiting you via The Dedicated House. This looks delicious. It would be wonderful to see you at My Dream Canvas. I am hosting a Giveaway, so please join in if you like what you see:) Have a wonderful week ahead.
dianehaller
Looks yummy and simple...two great dessert qualities! I found you at Seven Alive. I just started a new link party TODAY :). Stop by "Pin it Again" Friday now to link up your specific Pinterest Pin so that others can pin it with ease to share with their followers. Hope you can stop by! Blessings! Diane
crysc6
Mmm Lemon recipes... I'm adding this to my TO DO list today along with the Lemon Monkey Bread
Jerry Mills
Has anyone actually 'tried' this besides the original poster?
Nicole
Yes it is delicious!
Debbie
I haven’t tried this recipe but have made the lemon bars with the angel food cake mix and a can of lemon creme pie filling, which was good. I’ll have to try this one to see which recipe I like best.
Vicki Richardson
I just now made it and ate two squares 🤩 very easy to make, plus I had the ingredient's on hand. Very good.
Katie Adams
Isn't it yummy?! I am so glad you like it!
Rhinestone Beagle
We need something bright and tasty right now with this weather, and nothing says Spring like lemon! Thank you for linking @ Doggone Dirty Craftin!
Happily Ever Rushed
I saw you on the Sweet Haute link up..I love anything lemon flavored. this looks perfect for Easter!
Erlene
Wow this recipe can't get any easier. Would be great for those days when you just need a quick and tasty dessert. Pinned. Visiting from A Round Tuit blog hop.
Barb S
I just made this and it fell in the middle, can anyone help out on this problem. still can eat it however would like to see a better looking cake like the poster's pic. Thanks
Katie
Barb, I am so sorry. I mine has never fallen in the middle so I don't have an exact answer for you. But I did find this post online and maybe it can help you. http://voices.yahoo.com/why-cakes-fall-middle-11326060.html. Good Luck!
Mary
I tried so many lemon bar recipes and this one looks so easy and good that I am going to make it. I am going to give this on a try. It looks yummy.
Katie
Thank you, Mary! When you make them let me know what you think!
ReiRei
I accidentally bought the instant lemon pudding, instead of cook & serve. It's in the oven and has risen quite a bit. I'm hoping that it still comes out tasty! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Katie
As long as it's still rising and fluffy, it should work just fine. Let us know ReiRei!
Cathy
I found your recipe confusing. What you listed for ingredients was not correct. My box of lemon jello cook and serve pudding called for 3 egg yolks beaten, 3/4 cup of sugar, 3 cups of water divided. I am not sure that my end product is correct.
Katie Adams
Hi Cathy, That is OK. I would still cook the jello according the package directions. Combine two cups jello, and the angel food mix. Then bake. It should still turn out.
Lea Searcy
Should the pudding be cooled before adding the cake mix?
Katie
Great question Lea, I do not let the pudding cool I just mix it right away. I wonder what the difference would be if you did let it cool before combing. If you try it let me know!
Lisa J Petty
Can you use 2 boxes of the small pudding? No one seems to carry the large box.
Katie
Yeah, the 2 small boxes should work just fine. You may have a little extra but not sure. Thanks Lisa!
bjb
The small box says it makes 3 cups. The recipe calls for 2 cups. Why would you need 2 small boxes?
Katie
Ha ha great question bjb! I had never noticed that. I have just always made it with two small boxes. 🙂
Melissa
Do you mix both pouches from the boxes angel food cake with the pudding? Or just one of them?
Katie
My Angel Food Cake Mix only had 1 bag inside the box, so I am not sure when it comes to yours. My gut reaction is yes. Go ahead try it out and see what happens! <3
Debbie
Do you think you could use the sugar free instant pudding. I can't find the cook & serve sugar free in our area. ?
Katie
I have never tried the instant pudding. Check the box. If it says pudding and pie filling it should work great.
Patricia Anne Kalili
Aloha. Thx for this recipe. I may have overlooked this, but suggest that you include an opportunity to print your recipe.. I may try to follow it at several locations throughout your recipe on line.. Also please enlarge the font for the comments.
Katie
Thank you for your recommendations. I will take a look at your suggestions.
Glenda
Will this work with any flavor of cook and serve?
Katie Adams
I have only ever tried the lemon, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I would love to hear how your experimenting goes!
Kathy
Can I use gluten free angel food cake mix?
Katie Adams
Hi Kathy, I have not tried it, but I don't see why not.
If you try, please let me know how it worked!