Description
Craving a dessert that’s zesty, buttery, and melts in your mouth? These Lemon Gooey Bars are the answer. With a golden cake mix base and a luscious lemon-cream cheese filling, they’re the perfect mix of tangy and sweet. Great for quick breakfast treats, easy desserts, potlucks, or whenever you need a bright twist in your day. Whether you’re looking for summer dessert ideas, easy snack options, or a crowd-pleasing brunch item, this is the easy recipe you’ll keep returning to.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup melted butter
3 large eggs
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment or non-stick spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter. Mix to form a thick dough. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
3. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs, powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla. Mix until silky.
4. Pour the filling over the crust and spread it evenly.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly.
6. Let cool completely in the pan.
7. For added flavor, drizzle with a glaze of lemon juice and powdered sugar before slicing.
Notes
Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smoother filling.
For an extra pop of lemon, double the zest or add lemon extract.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg