Lemon Pound Cake With Cake Mix

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Lemon pound cake with cake mix is one of our favorite doctored cake mix recipes. This lemon bundt cake is bursting with lemon flavor and is so easy to make. Similar to this apricot nectar cake, this recipe uses a cake mix, sour cream, and an easy lemon glaze to set it apart from all the rest.

Piece of lemon cake on a plate.


 

If you walked in my pantry you would find several boxes of cake mixes. A box of cake mix is a staple and can be used to make so many delicious recipes like these waffles, brownies, and banana bread.

When it comes to making a delicious bundt cake, cake mixes come to the rescue. A box of lemon cake mix helps add lemon flavor and color to this simple cake.

Why you’ll love this Duncan Hines lemon bundt cake

  • Flavor – The combination of sweet and tart in the cake can’t be beat.
  • Easy – This cake recipe is simple to make and perfect for beginner bakers.
  • Great dessert – A tasty lemon dessert that is great anytime of year but especially Spring and Summer.

Ingredients needed

All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this lemon cake. The lemon cake mix adds amazing lemon flavor and yellow color.

  • Lemon cake mix – Lemon flavor cake mix gives this cake amazing lemon flavor.
  • Instant lemon pudding mix – Lemon pudding mix adds flavor and moisture.
  • Sugar – Granulated sugar adds a little extra sweetness to the cake.
  • Water – Used to make the batter.
  • Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice is used for the cake and the glaze.
  • Vegetable oil – Vegetable oil is used. You could substitute with canola oil.
  • Eggs – 4 eggs are needed to make this recipe.
  • Sour cream – Sour cream makes this cake extra moist and delicious.
  • Powdered sugar – Used for the icing.
  • Vanilla extract – This gives the icing an extra layer of flavor.
Box of lemon cake mix, pudding, bowl of powdered sugar, lemon juice, eggs, oil, and sugar.

How to make lemon pound cake with cake mix

Step one: Prepare – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray or shortening. Make sure to fully cover the pan so that the cake will release after it’s finished cooking.

Step two: Cake batter – Place cake mix, pudding mix, water, lemon juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined.

Mixing bowl with eggs, cake mix, and oil.

Step three: Carefully pour batter into the prepared bundt pan.

Bundt cake pan with lemon cake batter.

Step four: Bake – Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan. Carefully invert the cake on a cooking rack.

Bundt cake on a cooling rack.

Step five: Glaze – Make the glaze by mixing together the lemon glaze ingredients. Let the cake cool before drizzling the glaze over the cake.

Bundt cake with icing.

Recipe variations

Cake mix – If you can’t find a lemon cake mix, you can substitute with yellow cake mix or white cake mix.

Pudding – You can substitute lemon pudding mix with vanilla or even white chocolate pudding mix.

Toppings – Try substituting the lemon glaze with this powdered sugar icing, frosting, dust with powdered sugar, or leave it plain. You can also add some lemon zest for color and flavor.

Blueberries – Make this a lemon blueberry pound cake by folding in 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries to the batter. You could even use raspberries.

Poppyseeds – Make this a lemon poppyseed cake by adding in 1 tablespoon of poppyseeds.

Tips for success

  • Use a 12 cup bundt pan.
  • Make sure to cover the inside of the pan with non-stick cooking spray or shortening to prevent the cake from sticking.
  • Be sure to let the cake rest in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes.
  • Exact bake time may vary. Test to see if the cake is done baking by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean it is done. The cake will also start pulling away from the side of the bundt pan.
  • You can adjust the amount of lemon juice in the glaze for your preferred thickness.
Lemon cake with icing.

Common questions

Can I use applesauce instead of oil for this lemon bundt cake recipe?

You can substitute 3/4 applesauce with 3/4 cup vegetable oil.

Can this be made with a mini bundt pan?

Yes, you can use this batter in a mini bundt pan. You will have to reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes.

How to store this bundt cake?

You can store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Can this cake be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze this cake for up to 3 months. I like freezing in individual pieces.

Do I have to use an electric mixer?

No, you can mix all of the ingredients with a large spoon.

More easy cake mix cakes

Did you make this easy lemon pound cake recipe? Let me know in the comments.

Piece of lemon cake on a plate.
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Lemon Pound Cake

By Heather Seeley
Easy lemon pound cake with cake mix is bursting with lemon flavor. Made with a few simple ingredients, this lemon bundt cake is always a hit.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces

Ingredients 

  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 1 box instant lemon pudding
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray or shortening. Make sure to fully cover the pan so that the cake will release after it's finished cooking.
  • Place cake mix, pudding mix, water, lemon juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared bundt pan.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan. Carefully invert the cake on a cooking rack.
  • Make the lemon glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Let the cake cool before drizzling the glaze over the cake.

Video

Notes

  • Use a 12 cup bundt pan.
  • Make sure to cover the inside of the pan with non-stick cooking spray or shortening to prevent the cake from sticking.
  • Be sure to let the cake rest in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes.
  • Test to see if the cake is done baking by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean it is done. The cake will also start pulling away from the side of the bundt pan.
  • You can adjust the amount of lemon juice in the glaze for your preferred thickness.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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