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    Home » Desserts

    Lemon Cake With Pudding Mix

    Published: July 1, 2021 - Last updated: March 8, 2023 by Erika

    Jump to Recipe
    lemon cake with pudding mix pin.

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure.

    Lemon Cake with Pudding Mix is a delicious cake to serve at your next family gathering or get together. Everyone will think you made this cake from scratch, but it’s really made with a cake mix! It has a lovely soft texture, is ultra moist and has fantastic lemon flavor.

    cake squares on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step-By-Step Ingredients
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Dessert Recipes You'll Love
    • Lemon Cake With Pudding Mix

    Check out my No Oven Chocolate Cake and my Rocky Road Brownies for more delicious dessert recipes!

    This lemon cake is SO delicious and is the perfect dessert for spring and for summer! It's so easy with the help of two secret ingredients - lemon cake mix and lemon pudding mix! Shortcuts like cake mix and pudding leave more time to enjoy dessert!

    Topped with an orange juice glaze, giving this cake the best moist texture. If you like lemon desserts, you have got to give this cake a try!

    lemon cake stacked on a plate.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • It's a fluffy, sweet and a perfectly tangy lemon cake.
    • A soft, moist simple recipe, with few ingredients.
    • It's topped with a delicious orange glaze to accentuate the lemon flavor.
    • Very easy to make and so delicious!

    Ingredients You'll Need

    lemon cake with pudding mix labeled ingredients.
    • Lemon Cake Mix: Use your favorite store bought lemon cake mix.
    • Instant Lemon Pudding Mix: Makes the cake super moist and delicious.
    • Vegetable Oil: Makes for a moister and tender cake.
    • Eggs: Creates structure and stability within a batter.
    • Orange Juice: Adds a bright taste to the cake.
    • Powdered Sugar: Mixed with the orange juice, it makes a delicious glaze for the cake.

    Step-By-Step Ingredients

    four image process making lemon cake with pudding mix.

    Step 1:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish, set aside.

    Step 2:

    In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, instant pudding, oil, water and eggs. Pour batter into baking dish.

    Step 3:

    Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until cake is golden and cooked throughout.

    Step 4:

    Meanwhile, whisk together orange juice and powdered sugar.

    Step 5:

    Cool cake slightly. Using a fork, make holes in top of the cake. Pour juice mixture over the top.

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    cake in a baking dish cut into squares.

    Expert Tips

    • You can also make this cake in a Bundt pan for a more elegant presentation. Be sure to grease the pan well and bake the cake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • To make the cake extra moist and flavorful, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter.
    • For a more intense lemon flavor, you can also add some lemon zest to the cake batter.

    Variations

    • Add fresh berries: Fold in fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries into the cake batter before baking.
    • Use different pudding flavors: Instead of using lemon pudding mix, try using vanilla, chocolate, or pistachio pudding mix for a different flavor profile.
    • Add nuts: Fold in chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans into the cake batter for a crunchy texture.
    • Add spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for a warm, cozy flavor.
    • Use different citrus: Instead of orange juice, try using grapefruit juice or lime juice for a different citrus flavor.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

    Freezing: Once cake is cooled, wrap tightly and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw and eat when you're ready!

    Recipe FAQ's

    What's the difference between glaze and icing?

    Icing is a mixture of powdered sugar and liquid that is thin enough to be spread. Glaze is a mixture of powdered sugar and liquid thin enough to be poured.

    Can I use a different type of oil besides vegetable oil?

    Yes, canola oil is another popular type of oil used for baking cakes. Grapeseed oil, olive oil, sunflower oil and butter are also other alternatives, however they may change the taste and texture of the cake.

    What ingredient makes a cake moist?

    Fats, like oil, provide moisture for a cake.

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    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

    lemon cake with pudding mix thumbnail picture.

    Lemon Cake With Pudding Mix

    Erika
    Lemon cake with pudding mix is a delicious cake to serve at your next family gathering or get together. Everyone will think you made this cake from scratch, but it’s really made with a cake mix! It has a lovely soft texture, is ultra moist and has fantastic lemon flavor.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 190 kcal

    Equipment

    • Glass Baking Dishes

    Ingredients
      

    • 15-16 ounce lemon cake mix
    • 3.4 ounce lemon instant pudding mix
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 ⅓ cups water
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • Whipped topping optional
    • Lemon zest optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish, set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, instant pudding, oil, water and eggs. Pour batter into baking dish.
    • Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until cake is golden and cooked throughout.
    • While cake is baking, whisk together orange juice and powdered sugar.
    • Cool cake slightly. Using a fork, make holes in top of the cake. Pour juice mixture over the top.

    Notes

    • You can also make this cake in a Bundt pan for a more elegant presentation. Be sure to grease the pan well and bake the cake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • To make the cake extra moist and flavorful, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter.
    • For a more intense lemon flavor, you can also add some lemon zest to the cake batter.
    • Storing: Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
    • Freezing: Once cake is cooled, wrap tightly and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw and eat when you’re ready!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 210mgSugar: 17g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword Lemon Cake With Pudding Mix
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Enjoy!

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    Welcome!

    I'm Erika! I'm so glad you're here. I live in Arizona where the sun is always shining! I'm a mom of four who loves spending time in the kitchen cooking, baking and eating!

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