I really like the fresh lemon flavor in food. If you are a fan of lemon too, you should make this magical lemon cake with a citrus flavor and a soft moist texture.
Using a boxed cake mix and instant pudding mix makes this cake really easy to prepare, and it’s so delicious! Usually, I bake this lemon cake in the winter when my sister comes over for the Christmas holidays.
We both don’t like dry cakes. So, I prepare this lemon cake in advance.
I leave it overnight in the refrigerator, and it gets even better, softer with a rich taste. If you like citrus flavor, this recipe is waiting for you.
Ingredients you’ll need;
For the cake:
– 1 box of yellow cake mix (15.25 oz);
– 1 box of instant lemon pudding mix (3.4 oz);
– 3/4 cup water;
– 3/4 cup oil;
– 4 eggs.
For the soaking syrup:
– 2 cups powdered sugar;
– 1/3 cup lemon juice;
– 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted;
– 2 tbsp water.
HOW TO MAKE LEMON CAKE
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9×13 baking pan.
- Step 2: Beat eggs in a large bowl, using an electric mixer. Add cake mix, pudding mix, water, and oil, and mix until well combined.
- Step 3: Pour the cake batter into a baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 mins, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. While the cake is baking, you can prepare the syrup.
- Step 4: To make soaking syrup: in a bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice, water, and powdered sugar.
- Step 5: When the cake is done, poke holes all over the cake with a skewer (or a fork), then pour the soaking syrup over the warm cake. Let it cool completely in a pan before serving.
TIPS FOR BAKING THE PERFECT LEMON CAKE
- Make a soaking syrup while the cake is baking, or make it in advance. For a tastier result, the cake should be warm when we pour syrup over it.
- You can use a smaller baking pan if you don’t have a 9×13 pan. So, the baking time will be longer than 30-35 mins, and the cake will be done when a toothpick inserted into the cake will come out clean.
- For better results, let the cake cool completely at room temperature, and then refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
What does lemon juice do in baking?
We use lemon juice to make soaking syrup in this recipe. It is used to give a special lemon taste to the cake.
How do you store lemon cake?
I keep the cake in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
OTHER LEMON RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- LEMON CURD COOKIES
- LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE TO DIE FOR!
- LEMON POUND CAKE
- LEMON BLUEBERRY BREAD
- CREAMY LEMON SQUARES
A Lemon Cake to Die for!
Ingredients
- For the cake
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (15.25 oz);
- 1 box of instant lemon pudding mix (3.4 oz);
- 3/4 cup water;
- 3/4 cup oil;
- 4 eggs
- For the soaking syrup
- 2 cups powdered sugar;
- 1/3 cup lemon juice;
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted;
- 2 tbsp water.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x13 baking pan.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl, using an electric mixer. Add cake mix, pudding mix, water, and oil, and mix until well combined.
- Pour the cake batter into a baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 mins, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. While the cake is baking, you can prepare a syrup.
- To make soaking syrup: in a bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice, water, and powdered sugar.
- When the cake is done, poke holes all over the cake with a skewer (or a fork), then pour the soaking syrup over the warm cake. Let it cool completely in a pan before serving.
I have been looking for this recipe for ever, my Bigmama use to make it when I was a kid, and I hate that I didn’t get to learn all of her recipes before she pasted.
It is delicious, moist and so easy to make, it was a hit with my family specially my husband who loves lemon dessert, I will make again for sure❤️
Love this cake. My mom used to make this in the 60’s. We use orange juice instead of lemon juice in the syrup….it is awesome
Easiest cake to make and definitely to die for.
This cake is divine! This is now my go to cake. Always a hit. I’m going to make cupcakes to send to hubby’s work. Very delicious 😋
This is delicious, moist and hard to stop eating the whole cake. This is the best cake I have ever ate! I used fresh squeezed lemon juice and grated the zest from one lemon in my soaking syrup. Delicious.
This cake is a huge hit with my lemon-loving husband and MIL. And, I think it’s the easiest cake I’ve ever made!
It’s really to die for… Can’t stop eating it ❤️😋
This cake is to die for. So easy. Our pastor is being transferred to another parish, and the church is having a pot luck goodbye party. This cake will be my contribution!
What kind of oil is best for this cake? I only had canola oil on hand (I knew avocado or olive oil would be wrong). Also, was I supposed to use the electric mixer to blend the syrup mixture? When I poured the syrup over the cake, there were MANY little blobs of undissolved powdered sugar.I’ll be taking this to a potluck tomorrow so I hope it’ll be okay.
This was excellent .Made raspberry syrup and served it on top.Cake was gone.
It is a keeper
I’m 65+, I remembered that my mom baked this lemon cake all the time and we loved, loved, loved it. Finding this recipe brings back all the memories of her baking and the great flavor. Delish is the word that applies. Thank you
This is the best cake ever. First time making it. Family loved it.
My mom always made this cake when we were kids and I just love it. I’ve always used a lemon cake mix and a small box of lemon instant jello not pudding. For the glaze I use only powdered sugar and lemon juice. No water needed for the glaze.
I didn’t have a yellow cake mix, but I did have a lemon cake mix and this was fantastic! Just what I was craving!
I would imagine since your adding instant lemon pudding, you wouldn’t want a cake mix with pudding in the mix(?). I think the only one left is Duncan Hines.
I use a lemon cake mix with pudding in the mix and a package of lemon pudding. I’ve tried it with lemon jello instead of pudding and it was really good.
Can this be made into cupcakes
This really is a “cake to die for” 😋
Best lemon cake I’ve ever tasted! I made it for my mom for Mother’s Day as a special treat. She’s always liked lemon cake, but she rarely ever has it because my dad doesn’t like it, and in true Mom fashion, she always puts everyone else ahead of herself. This cake was a HUGE hit! The biggest surprise was how much my 80 year-old dad loved it. I said, “I didn’t think you liked lemon cake.” He said, “Neither did I. If I’d known it tasted this good, I’d have been eating it my whole life.” So there you have it. This cake is so good, even a life-long lemon cake hater loved it! He’s even requested that I make it again for Father’s Day.
My families favorite cake!
I personally use a lemon box cake. I put zest in the batter and in the juice. I don’t use water for the soak, all lemon juice. But I also coke from a family of lemon obsessed so it works for us. We also pop in micro for a few seconds and omg!
going to try this recipe some time soon! on just the looks of it in photo I give it five stars… I know it will be Delicious.
Making this today for my mom’s birthday. Do you know if I can put icing on it? I bought whipped icing to make it look more like a birthday cake but I’m afraid I’ll ruin it!
I put Cool Whip mixed with lemon pudding mix on top!
If I bake in a bundt pan how do I adjust the baking time??
use the toothpick method to check for doneness.
My 7yr old grandson and I made this today. It was so easy, I let him do most of the work. He had so much fun. It’s delicious! Will be making it again. Oh yeah, we used a lemon cake mix with the lemon pudding mix, so good.
I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
This cake is so moist & oh so delish!! Will definitely be making again!!
I appreciate your review! 🙂 I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
So delicious🌞💙💜
Sooo good and sooo simple! My cake did not get soggy on the bottom from the syrup as one reviewer said, but I did cut the powdered sugar in half which made for a better sweet/tart balance in the syrup in my opinion. Such a tasty, tender cake!
That’s so nice to hear, Elizabeth!! 🙂 Thanks for your review!
Can I use a Bundt pan for this cake what do i need to change
Tried this recipe and it was great. Can’t wait to make it again
This is what I have been looking for
I’m trying this cake for the first time and Hope it’s delicious as everyone says! I’m wondering if I dusted it with powdered sugar before serving if that would make it too sweet? It just looks a little plain to me after the soaking syrup has been absorbed.
Made with the lemon supreme (Dunkin’ Hines) baked in my Bundt and it’s delicious 😋 thanks for sharing this recipe
Just tried this recipe as a birthday surprise for my significant other after reading all the reviews. It smells delicious. I know he will be very pleased tomorrow when I serve it. Thank you
It really is a cake to die for! I have made this several times following the recipe exactly and it always turns out perfect!
This is my “go to” cake whenever I need a blast of lemon. I cut the glaze in half because I found that it sogged the bottom of the cake too much. By cutting the glazed in half, I got the same flavor without the gooey bottom on the cake after it set. This is the perfect recipe: easy, yummy and done in less than an hour.
I am going to make wondered about using lemon cake mix instead of yellow has anyone done that
By all means do that. Your cake will have a wonderful lemon flavor.
Let me say two things about myself. I am a lemon dessert snob and most are just not worth the calories.
THIS SYRUP IS OUTSTANDING!! In a pinch, I’ve poured it over quality store bought pound cake, served the original cake with blueberry compote, and used a version of the syrup for a pina colada cake.
If you bake it, they will come..with forks, again and again. Thanks you sooo much for posting this!!!🙇♀️
I came across this recipe in a Goosberry Cookbook and made it using is a lemon cake mix. It is always a favorite at get togethers and always requested for me to make it!
Great recipe! I made a Peach Rum Lemon Cake instead of all lemon. 1/4 Cup Peach Rum + 1/2 Cup milk in place of 3/4 Cup water in the cake. 3 Tablespoons Peach Rum & 3 tablespoons lemon juice in the soaking syrup.
This is my second time making this lemon cake, and it never disappoints.
I just made this lemon cake last week.
I made this for some friends of mine.
Once again everybody loved it.
It’s definitely a keeper and
a great hit.
I made this lemon cake for the first time today.
It was so good
One person at work said it was little dense, but I was pretty much eating the whole thing by myself.
Thanks so much for sharing.
It definitely one of my favorites cakes to make.
A favorite cake my mom made decades ago! ❤️
I made this cake on Sunday for a get together. Honestly, I didn’t get to even a taste it went so fast. My girlfriend’s mother said it was a “mic drip” it was so good.
Couple of things I did differently was:
I used lemon cake mix because that is what I had
I used milk where the recipe asked for water and I added lemon yest to both the cake batter and syrup.
I also made a blueberry compote to serve with the cake and freshly whipped cream.
One word: WOW! Oh wait… one more word: YUM! This is a keeper!
This is my new go-to cake! So moist and fresh. Everyone loves it!
I don’t normally leave reviews, but this cake is excellent! Super quick and simple to make, really delicious!!
My aunt made this cake back in the 1960’s. It is still my favorite cake. Can you put nutritional information? Thank you
My husband planted a Meyers Lemon Tree behind our house a few years ago. It isn’t very big but it put out a lot of lemons this year. He has had a bad year health-wise and wasn’t able to take care of the plants and trees like he usually does. I found the lemons were falling off the tree and didn’t want them to go to waste, so I juiced most of them. I have been looking for recipes to use the juice so it doesn’t go to waste. This cake was perfect! We both love it and it used 1/3 cup in the syrup plus I put a couple of tablespoons of the juice in the batter because I only had vanilla pudding mix on hand. I also used some zest from 2 small lemons in the syrup/glaze. We couldn’t wait to try it, so we had our first piece while it was still pretty warm. It was great warm, too! I am definitely saving this recipe for next year, too!
Oh my goodness you are so kind. Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can you store in the refrigerator?
Incredible cake!!! This cake was an enormous hit with the family. Very light and moist with delicious fresh lemon flavor. I only used 1 cup of powdered sugar and omitted the water. It’s so amazing no one knew it was boxed!!!!!
Cake in over as I type .. smells amazing .. followed directions except used teaspoon of lemon extract .. thanks so much
Question !?! If i wanted to make this an 8in layered cake, what would be my baking time ?
I’m in love with this cake recipe.
I did make a few changes to my liking. I grated lemon peel into the batter and added 1 teaspoon of lemon extract. 😋
I can’t help it, but I love the richness of lemons. Oh and so did everyone that had a slice of it.
My mom made this cake when I was a kid and always a favorite of mine. I love everything lemon and this cake tastes just like hers if not better!
Since I’ve made this cake the 1st time I’ve made it a dozen are more times since for different family members and friends. It is delicious, to die for.
How wonderful, Alveta! So glad you decided to give it a try!
My husband loves lemon cake. This one is for his birthday!!
I absolutely Love this cake. I’m having a Bunco Party first week of Nov and can’t wait to have the girls Love this!! This is really easy to make and a real group pleaser.. I will keep it in the fridge for a day my husband said it was better the second day than the first.. 😊
Thank you, So glad that you enjoy the recipe! I hope to see you around. More delicious recipes are coming!
Can I make this into a 3 layer cake?
Hi, love this cake! Is there a problem with freezing the cake. Couldn’t find any comments about freezing the cake. Thanks
Hi Barbara, I have never tried to freeze this lemon cake.
5 stars – Absolutely delicious. I did freeze unthawed in the fridge. Tasty outcome.
My grandkids love this cake and invariably ask for it if I am taking requests. Except for birthday cakes, our family skips icing preferring just a dusting of powdered sugar. Everyone loves this lemon cake when the weather is just too darn hot. Thanks so much for posting this.
Oh my goodness you are so kind Lisa. Thank you for coming back to leave a review!
Is this lemony flavor strong. I almost want my eyes to water? Sort of exaggerating
This is so easy to make and gets rave reviews!
So glad you loved it! Thanks so much for the 5 star rating!
Easy and delicious! 👏❤️
I made this cake for my 97 year old aunts birthday. She’s a lover of all things lemon. She raved about it. I made a blueberry compote to pour over each piece after it was cut. So that the juices and berries would run down over all sides. Beautiful presentation. Thanks!!!!
Oh my goodness, you are so kind. Happy birthday with best wishes for you! Thanks for the suggestions. So glad you decided to try it again and customize it to your liking. 🙂
Family loved this cake! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I used gluten-free cake mix and it is delicious. I am allergic to wheat and dairy so finding a desert is without dairy and wheat has been a challenge.
So glad you were able to customize it to your liking! Thanks so much for the 5-star rating!
One time, I underestimated the amount of juice I could get from a lemon. When I ran short, I added orange juice to make up the difference. Now, I automatically use half lemon, half orange juice.
It’s a delicious recipe that my grandkids request for every holiday breakfast.
Thanks for the suggestions, Jennie. So glad you decided to try it again and customize it to your liking. 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Made this for my brother in law who just had eye surgery, to cheer him up
I substituted butter for the oil, and milk/heavy cream for the water, and added one egg. Never has a cake turned out so moist and flavorful! Thank you for such an amazing recipe!
So glad you were able to customize it to your liking!
Just wondering if anyone has tried freezing it
Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes, you can use melted butter instead of vegetable oil!
I made this recipe last year. I shared this to my disable friend next door. She and her niece said it tasted so good! I am now making it again right now!!! The best lemon cake I ever tasted.
Oh my goodness you are so kind. Thank you for coming back to leave a review!
Can I use this recipe instead to make mini lemon drop cakes?
Yes, you can use this recipe for mini lemon drop cakes, but you need to reduce the baking time to 10-15 minutes
The cake actually came out like the picture. Very moist and the syrup was the perfect touch. I switched out the water for milk, added lemon extract and still came very moist. My husband loves it.
Thanks for coming back to let me know, Belita. I appreciate the 5 stars.
Great lemon cake! And so easy!
Thanks, Barbara
Have you ever tried freezing the cake?
Hi Susan, I have never tried to freeze this lemon cake.
Absolutely delicious. I did freeze unthawed in the fridge. Tasty outcome.
I see comments about doing a Bundt cake instead- would you just drizzle the glaze over the top after Bundt cake is removed from pan? Thanks for the help
Hi Jeanne, I recommend making holes in the cake while it is warm and in a pan. Then, pour the soaking syrup. Remove the cake from the pan when it is cooled and soaked.
*you can also reserve some syrup and pour it over the top of the Bundt cake.
Surpisingly easy amazingly good.
I’m so happy you loved them enough to come back and let me know. Thanks for the 5 stars.
This is my Birthday cake! Love it so much! My mom would make it for me every year! She has passed to heaven now and now my daughter makes it for me! I use lemon cake mix and lemon jello sometimes and it’s the absolute best!! I cook it in a Bundt pan. So delicious! Try this if you love lemon!
Perfection! Love when that happens. I’m so glad you enjoy it!
How can you remake this recipe without the eggs? Would love to make a Vegan version of this!! 🙂
Hi Yara, I haven’t tried to make this recipe vegan, so I don’t know how to replace eggs.
I replaced lemon cello for the water! Delicious!
It’s such a great way to top it!
Can you use lemon concentrate or does it have to be fresh lemon juice?
You can use any lemon juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought lemon juice). I prefer using a fresh one.
Best lemon cake ever, thank you!
Thanks, Bey <3
Hi if u make the cake the night before what’s the best way to store it ? At room temp or in the refrigerator?
For a better result, I recommend storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Best cake ever! So simple to make. I actually had some frozen blueberries I wanted to use. I tossed a cup and a half of frozen blueberries in a little flour and stirred them into batter after all other ingredients were mixed together. Baked according to your recipe. So very good. Thanks and keep creating great recipes
Hi karen, Yeah, these are a favorite of mine too. Glad you enjoyed them.
I have made a very similar cake for years. Everyone loves it and always asks for the recipe. Glad this recipe was printed. Can’t go wrong with this dessert.
I’m so glad you love the recipe so much, joan
Do you think this would work as a layer cake or would it be too moist?
Hi Natalie, I think this recipe wouldn’t work as a layer cake.
Love this cake. I have used lemon cake mix and baked it in a bundt pan for a classy look. Very moist cake and cleanses the pallett.
Fantastic! I’m so glad you love them so much, Thanks
This was so delicious !!!
I did have to swap the flavors of the pudding and cake mix though… My store didn’t have lemon pudding so I used vanilla pudding with a lemon cake mix. It was still very lemony and that glaze is the best !!!
Thanks for the suggestion! So glad you enjoy it!
I used frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed) in place of the water, really enhances the flavor of this cake. Great cake recipe.
Perfect, Sounds like a great idea! so glad you decided to give it a try and make your own!
So for the lemon pudding I just pour into cake mix? Or follow directions on box?
Hi chanette,
Yes, you just need to add the instant lemon pudding mix to the beaten eggs. Also, add the cake mix, water, and oil. Mix until well combined.
Can the recipe be doubled?
Hi Marsha,
Yes, lemon cake can be doubled. The baking time may increase, check the readiness of lemon cake using a toothpick.
What type of oil do you use for this cake recipe?
Hi Kathleen,
I used vegetable oil
Allergic to vegetable oil, what would be the best substitute? Canola doesn’t seem to work as well.
You can use melted butter instead of vegetable oil!
Has anyone used coconut oil in the glaze?
Not sure if boxed yellow cake is available here in Australia, but I am almost certain we can’t get instant pudding, any suggestions please as this cake sounds delicious.
Hi Von,
You can make a homemade yellow cake mix and homemade instant pudding. Use them instead of store-bought.
For example, the homemade yellow cake mix
Mix together 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk.
Thank you so much for the cake recipe but I am going to be a pain in the neck again and ask if you could give me an instant pudding recipe as well. I would be so rapt to be able to make this delicious looking cake. It’s not like I have much to do these days in lockdown but cook and eat. I guess we are all in the same boat. Keep safe.
Well done Von, I cannot believe that this is a “recipe “ It’s nothing more than a lot of store bought mixture put together, It might be quick, it might be easy, it may even taste good but to say it’s your recipe it’s plain cheating. .
I’ve been making almost the exact cake for most of my life but I use a 3 oz. box of lemon jello instead of pudding. It’s tart and lemony.
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for coming back to let me know, It’s such a great combination!
I’m in Australia and have used both vanilla cake or butter cake mixes (for my family – Gluten Free) and I’ve used Aeroplane Vanilla Dessert Mix (couldn’t find lemon). I added lemon zest and lemon juice in place of some of the water in the recipe. Turned out beautifully. Also added limoncello when I had it. Yum!
This is delicious! Everyone loved it, with Rave reviews. A keeper for sure. Thank you for this recipe.
Hi Holly,
Sounds amazing, Thanks for letting me know, I hope you will enjoy it!
Can you use a lemon cake mix instead of a yellow cake mix?
Hi Connie,
Thanks for coming back to let me know, yes you can use lemon cake mix,
I needed to find a recipe for a desert last weekend and gave this a try. I was so happy with how this came out! It was quick to bake and easy to prepare ahead of time. All of our guests just loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Jackie,
Thank you so much! Sure do appreciate you coming back to let me know! ❤️
This is wonderful, very moist and flavorful!
Hi Dawn,
It’s so nice to have those meals that you just know everyone loves!
The cake was amazing, especially with a cold glass of milk. I’m hooked we’ll be having it often.💖💖💖
Hi Danna,
Thanks for coming back to let me know, Danna! So glad you love it so much!!
Loved the cake will double glaze next time
Hi John,
This just makes me so happy! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, John.
We always frost this came with Cool Whip and call it The Sunshine Cake. Love it, sunshine in a pan..Solo Good!!!