Zesty Homemade Lemon Cake Recipe for Sweet Sunshine

Sunlight dances through kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on the zesty lemon cake recipe waiting to be crafted.

Vibrant citrus notes promise a delightful burst of flavor in every tender crumb.

This classic dessert brings sunshine to your plate with its bright, tangy essence.

Soft, moist layers melt on your tongue, creating a symphony of sweet and tart sensations.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet elegant treat that never fails to impress.

The aroma of freshly zested lemons promises a delectable experience that will transport you to a sunny Mediterranean afternoon.

Let’s find out this recipe and let the magic of lemons transform your baking adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

Lemon Cake To Die For Ingredient List

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides the foundational texture and structure for a perfectly soft cake with minimal effort.
• Instant Lemon Pudding Mix: Adds incredible moisture and intense lemon flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a rich, smooth cake consistency with added protein.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a supremely moist and tender crumb that stays soft for days.
• Water: Helps blend dry and wet ingredients seamlessly for a uniform cake batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, subtle depth that complements the bright lemon notes.
• Lemon Zest: Infuses vibrant citrus essence and adds aromatic complexity to the cake.

• Powdered Sugar, Unsalted Butter, Heavy Cream: Create a silky, luxurious glaze with perfect drizzling consistency.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Delivers a sharp, tangy punch that cuts through the sweetness.
• Lemon Zest: Sprinkled on top for a final burst of citrusy brightness and elegant visual appeal.

Tools for Baking Lemon Cake To Die For

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all cake ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending glaze ingredients without lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Key for creating the perfect cake shape and size.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cake cool evenly after baking.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Grater: Great for zesting fresh lemon.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading batter and scraping bowl edges.

How to Make a Lemon Cake That Wows

• Oven Warmup

Coax your oven to a toasty 350°F, creating the perfect cozy environment for baking magic. Gently grease a spacious baking dish, ensuring your cake will slide out with ease.

• Batter Harmony

Gather your ingredients in a generous mixing bowl, blending them with a soft touch. Swirl together the cake mix, pudding powder, oils, eggs, and zesty lemon essence until they dance into a smooth, silky mixture.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the velvety batter into the prepared pan, spreading it with gentle strokes. Slide the pan into the warm oven, letting it bake until a toothpick emerges clean and the cake radiates a golden glow.

• Glaze Finale

Whisk together a luxurious coating of powdered sugar, melted butter, and bright lemon juice. Create a drizzle that cascades over the warm cake, adding a tangy sparkle to every slice.

• Serving Delight

Let the cake cool momentarily, then slice and serve. Each bite promises a burst of sunny lemon flavor that dances on the taste buds, turning an ordinary moment into a celebration.

Lemon Cake Flavor Tips to Try

• Insider Baking Secrets
• Replace vegetable oil with Greek yogurt for a tangy, lighter texture that keeps the cake super moist and adds a protein boost.
• Experiment with orange or lime juice instead of lemon for a different citrus twist that'll surprise your taste buds and add exciting flavor variations.
• This cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to preserve its incredible moisture and lemony freshness.
• Avoid overmixing the batter – stop stirring the moment ingredients are just combined to ensure a tender, soft cake crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Sprinkle some fresh lemon zest or candied lemon peels on top of the glaze for an extra burst of citrus flavor and a stunning visual presentation that'll impress everyone.

Serving Your Lemon Cake with Confidence

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Serve this lemon cake alongside a fresh fruit salad or light yogurt parfait for a delightful morning treat that brightens up your breakfast spread.
• Elegant Dessert Pairing: Complement the cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream to enhance its citrusy richness and create a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Present thin slices with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or chamomile, turning your simple cake into a charming afternoon indulgence that feels both comforting and special.
• Gifting Gourmet Style: Wrap individual slices in pretty parchment paper with a ribbon for a homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads sweet lemony joy to friends and family.

How to Store Lemon Cake To Die For

• Fresh Slice Strategy: Keep leftover cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining its soft texture and zesty flavor.
• Refrigeration Technique: When storing for longer periods, wrap cake tightly and refrigerate up to 6 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while keeping moisture locked in.
• Freezing Magic: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing flat in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Revive & Serve: Thaw frozen cake slices at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or gently warm in microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-baked softness and lemony brightness.

Zesty Lemon Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon cake embodies Mediterranean sunshine with its tangy, refreshing profile. Citrusy layers promise pure delight when you savor each delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 box instant lemon pudding mix
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 pinch lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter for seamless cake release.
2. Mixing: Combine cake mix, lemon pudding mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Blend ingredients using an electric mixer until smooth and well-integrated, taking care not to overmix.
3. Baking: Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan midway through cooking. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without any raw batter.
4. Cooling: Let the cake rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to stabilize and prepare for glazing.
5. Glazing: Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, heavy cream, and fresh lemon juice to create a silky glaze. Adjust liquid or sugar to achieve a perfect pouring consistency. Lavishly drizzle the glaze over the warm cake, ensuring complete coverage. Allow the glaze to set for 15-20 minutes before serving at room temperature.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently combine ingredients to maintain a light, fluffy texture and avoid a dense, tough cake.
• Zest Matters: Use fresh lemon zest for intense, vibrant citrus flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Toothpick Test Technique: Check cake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick – no raw batter means perfectly baked cake.
• Glaze Consistency Control: Adjust glaze thickness by adding powdered sugar or lemon juice to create a smooth, drizzle-perfect topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg