No-Bake Lemon Fluff Bars

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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published Apr 10, 2024
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angled shot of a slice of lemon fluff on a small flat pink plate.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot

Do you go wild for lemon bars? Are mile-high lemon meringue pies your absolute favorite?  Would you choose lemon cloud cookies over chocolate chip any day of the week? If the answer is yes, we’ve got a new dessert for you. 

These melt in-your-mouth lemon fluff bars are light and oh-so airy. The bars start with a buttery graham cracker crumb crust and are layered with a fluffy filling made from fresh lemon, lemon-flavored gelatin, and creamy whipped topping. You definitely don’t want to miss these.

Why You’ll Love It

  • The lemony layer magically melts in your mouth like a fluffy citrus cloud. It’s all thanks to the perfect proportions of lemon gelatin and whipped topping. 
  • It’s so simple to make! If you can stir, then you can make these lemon fluff bars easily with the help of some smart buys from the grocery store (plus there’s no oven required). 

Key Ingredients in Lemon Fluff Bars

  • Lemon: Squeeze fresh lemon juice (this is my favorite citrus juicer) into the filling to boost the citrus flavor. 
  • Lemon gelatin dessert mix: A box of lemon powdered gelatin provides a puckery punch and gives the filling structure so that you can slice this dessert into neat squares. Chill the gelatin until thickened, but not set, before adding the whipped topping. 
  • Frozen whipped topping: This is the secret ingredient that turns this lemony gelatin into light and airy fluff. Homemade whipped cream can be substituted for the store-bought topping.
  • Graham crackers: A classic, no-bake graham cracker crumb crust is the perfect base for these cloud-like bars. 
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot

Helpful Swaps

  • Substitute the lemon and lemon gelatin dessert mix for your favorite flavors. Try it with lime or pair fresh lime with strawberry gelatin.
  • Swap the graham cracker crust for your favorite cookie like vanilla wafer cookies or classic shortbread. If you use a buttery cookie, like shortbread, you may need as little as 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. 
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