One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars
Soft, tangy lemon cake bars bursting with fresh blueberries, made quickly in one bowl for an effortless dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 9, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder until evenly combined.
- Step 2: Add 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup whole milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until just combined; do not overmix.
- Step 3: Gently fold in 1 cup fresh blueberries, coating them in the batter to prevent sinking. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Step 4: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are golden. Cool completely before slicing into bars and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 9 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 9). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Bowl Lemon Blueberry Cake Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
