A Lemon Cake To Die For

This Lemon Cake To Die For is incredibly moist, bursting with citrus flavor, and topped with a tangy lemon glaze that makes every bite irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, this cake will leave everyone coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Cake

Okay, imagine the perfect cake—soft, fluffy, and bursting with that bright, tangy lemon flavor. That’s what this Lemon Cake is all about! It’s a showstopper, whether you’re hosting a family get-together, surprising a friend, or simply treating yourself to something sweet. The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make, but the results are so impressive that your guests will never guess how little time it took to pull it together.

You get the sweet lemony punch you love, plus that irresistible glaze that gives every bite a burst of extra brightness. Trust me, it’s the kind of cake you’ll make over and over again (and yes, you’ll get asked for the recipe every time). It’s just one of those desserts that’s impossible to resist.

Ingredients in Lemon Cake

Here’s what goes into making this cake the ultimate lemony delight:

Lemon Cake Mix
This is the shortcut that makes this cake come together so easily! The lemon cake mix brings the perfect base, and it’s the perfect foundation for all those fresh lemony notes.

Lemon Pudding Mix
The secret ingredient that adds a little extra richness and moisture. It’s the key to a super soft and tender crumb. If you’ve never baked with pudding mix, you’re in for a treat!

Sour Cream
This ingredient makes the cake extra moist and adds just a little creamy tang. Trust me, it really does make a difference in how tender the cake turns out.

Vegetable Oil
For the softest texture and just the right amount of moisture. No dry cake here!

Eggs
These bind everything together and help give the cake structure. Plus, they’re essential for a light, airy texture.

Water
This helps to create the perfect batter consistency, ensuring that the cake is neither too dense nor too runny.

Lemon Zest
This is where all the citrusy goodness comes from! The zest adds that punch of lemon flavor that makes this cake so refreshing and vibrant.

For the Lemon Glaze

Powdered Sugar
This helps the glaze get that perfect smooth and glossy finish. It adds sweetness, too, balancing out the tartness from the lemon juice.

Lemon Juice
The tart kick that makes the glaze and the cake come to life. It’s the perfect finishing touch to make the cake even more lemony and luscious.

Instructions

Now, let’s get baking and make some magic happen:

Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and flouring a 9×13 inch baking pan or a bundt pan. This makes sure the cake slides out easily after baking.

Combine Cake Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine your lemon cake mix, lemon pudding mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and lemon zest. Use an electric mixer and beat everything together on low for 1 minute. Then, increase the speed to medium and mix for about 2 minutes. The batter should be smooth and creamy—don’t worry, it’ll smell amazing!

Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You’re going to smell that lemony goodness filling your kitchen, and trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Cool the Cake

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. I know it’s hard to resist, but wait until it’s fully cool before you add the glaze.

Prepare the Lemon Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until it’s smooth and glossy. If you like your glaze thicker, add more powdered sugar. For a thinner glaze, just add a bit more lemon juice—adjust it to your liking!

Glaze the Cake

Once the cake has cooled, pour the glaze over the top and let it drip down the sides, creating that beautiful shiny finish. You’re almost there—just one last step before you get to enjoy it!

Serve

Now, it’s time to slice and serve! You’ve made something beautiful, so take a moment to enjoy how great it looks before digging in. Each bite will be full of lemony sweetness, and trust me, you’ll savor every piece.

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Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. It helps them mix together more easily and ensures a smoother batter.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Let the Cake Cool Completely: Patience is key! Let the cake cool before glazing so the glaze doesn’t melt right off.
• Stronger Lemon Flavor: If you love an even more intense lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter. It’s a small tweak that makes a big difference.
• Adjust the Glaze: Want it a bit more tart? Add extra lemon juice to the glaze. If you prefer it sweeter, a little more powdered sugar does the trick.

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