This frosted gooey lemon bars recipe is an all time favorite of mine. I’m not sure if it’s the lemon frosting or the perfectly gooey lemon bars, but it is an amazing lemon bars recipe.
You will make these gooey lemon bars with a cake mix, making it an easy recipe to complete and enjoy in no time! The lemon frosting that is on top is also super simple to make too, so if you are new to baking, this is a great recipe to use.
Be sure to bring the frosted lemon bars to your next BBQ and enjoy all the compliments you will get on them. You also might want to pin or save this recipe so you can either share it with those friends, or just come back next week and make it again. Hahaha.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make Frosted Gooey Lemon Bars, you will need the following ingredients:
- Lemon cake mix
- Butter
- Egg
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Yellow food coloring
- Cream cheese
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How To Make Frosted Gooey Lemon Bars
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the cake layer in a mixing bowl. Press down in a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl combine powdered sugar and butter.
- Add enough lemon juice to form the consistency of a thick frosting.
- Beat in cream cheese and yellow food coloring until smooth.
- Set aside 1 cup of frosting to spread on top after baking (be sure to not skip this step!).
- Add eggs to remaining frosting mixture and beat until fluffy.
- Spread on top of cake mix in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until barely golden brown.
- Let cool completely and then spread reserved frosting mixture on top and serve.
Storage Suggestions
If you manage to have any leftover Bars + Brownies, these can store well if prepped appropriately. Once they have cooled completely, here is how you can store it:
- Counter: Store bars and brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, consider refrigerating instead to prevent them from getting too soft or melty.
- Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezer: To freeze, make sure bars and brownies are completely cooled and unfrosted. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (or Press & Seal) and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. For easier portioning, wrap individual squares before freezing. Don’t forget to label with the date. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Enjoy More Delicious Citrus Bars Recipes
There’s nothing better than an easy brownie or bar recipe. Check out our comprehensive list of brownies, bars, and blondies here.
Frosted Gooey Lemon Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Cake Layer:
- 15.25 ounces lemon cake mix
- ½ cup butter
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
Middle Layer/Frosting:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons butter, softened
- lemon juice
- 3-5 drops yellow food coloring
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the cake layer in a mixing bowl. Press down in a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl combine powdered sugar and butter.
- Add enough lemon juice to form the consistency of a thick frosting.
- Beat in cream cheese and yellow food coloring until smooth.
- Set aside 1 cup of frosting to spread on top after baking (be sure to not skip this step!).
- Add eggs to remaining frosting mixture and beat until fluffy.
- Spread on top of cake mix in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until barely golden brown.
- Let cool completely and then spread reserved frosting mixture on top and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
These sound awesome – I am a huge lemon fan and I love the simplicity of this dessert!
Lemon bars are my eldest daughter’s favorite treat – great recipe – thanks!
mary x
I am soooo making these! I just ? anything lemon!!!
Thanks for sharing!
😀
I really like chocolate, but I love lemon.
My sister and little nephew are huge lemon fans, and I quite enjoy it too, so, these look delish…I think I’ll have to try these! Thanks for the recipe!
Liesl 🙂
I am ridiculously excited to try this! I tried some lemon bars once at a party and I could tell by the flavor that they had lemon cake mix in them but I have not found a recipe to compare with that one… yet. I’m hoping this is it!
I love this! We just posted our very first Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday Link Party and we would LOVE for you to stop by and link this up! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/02/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link.html
I love lemon bars. Brings back memories from my childhood 🙂
I like lemon bars.
Sugar Free Lemon Drops Candy
I’ve never seen a gooey version!! How delicious!
Just made these and took them to small group and they were a hit! Will be making again
These were delicious and pretty easy to make! Came out like a LEMON LAVA CAKE. Yummm!
Hi,
Love the recipe. I’m wondering how to tell when it is done in the middle?
Just watch them closely. We cook ours in a glass pan so we can tell what the bottom crust is doing. You don’t want it to get too brown or they are dry. Cook on the low end of the cooking time and keep checking til light golden. They are good gooey!!
Looks like a great recipe as I am a huge lemon fan. Is the middle supposed to get brown on top or just he crust? Is that the part that is gooey like meringue?
The bottom layer is kind of a soft crust. Then the middle layer is gooey lemon. Then when cooled add the frosting. It doesn’t really get brown when you cook it. Just follow the instructions and check on it periodically when it’s almost done cooking. So yummy!
Do you need to refrigerate these? Thanks
If you are not eating them for awhile, you could put them in a covered container in the fridge. But if it’s just a few hours they are fine at room temp. Refrigerate leftovers.
I made this recipe for my Bible study group and everyone asked for the recipe.
This was so yummy! Made it for an early Easter dinner with family and it was a hit! I baked it for 30 minutes in a glass dish and it was just right. Thanks!