Description
Lemon Cake from scratch brings zesty sunshine right to your dessert plate, offering a pure slice of citrusy comfort that melts in your mouth. Fresh lemon essence and tender crumb make this simple treat a total crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 box instant lemon pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by coating it thoroughly with non-stick spray.
- Combine the yellow cake mix and lemon pudding mix in a large mixing bowl, ensuring they are well integrated.
- Crack 4 large eggs into the dry mixture, then pour in ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon lemon zest across the surface.
- Blend the entire mixture with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until your batter becomes completely smooth and no lumps remain.
- Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a level surface.
- Slide the pan into the preheated 350F oven and bake for exactly 35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest inside the pan for 15 minutes to stabilize its structure.
- While the cake cools, whisk 1 ½ cups powdered sugar with 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1-2 tablespoons milk until your glaze reaches a silky consistency.
- After the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze across the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides naturally.
- Slice into generous squares and serve at room temperature for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center, which should come out clean without wet batter.
- For extra lemony flavor, poke small holes in the warm cake and drizzle some lemon juice before adding the glaze.
- Replace water with fresh lemon juice for a more intense citrus taste and boost of brightness.
- If baking for someone with dietary restrictions, substitute vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce and use a gluten-free cake mix.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg