Description
These Lemon Gooey Bars are irresistibly soft, citrusy, and packed with zesty lemon flavor layered over a buttery cake base. The perfect lemon dessert for spring, summer, or anytime you’re craving something gooey and sweet. A quick, easy bar recipe with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and fresh lemon zest that delivers bakery-level results in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until fully combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
3. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs, powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Beat until the mixture is creamy.
4. Pour the lemon cream cheese mixture over the base layer and spread evenly.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes. The edges should be set and the center slightly jiggly.
6. Cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator before slicing into bars. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
These bars taste even better chilled overnight.
Don’t overbake—slightly jiggly means gooey and perfect.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg