Easy Moist Lemon Cake – Bursting with Fresh Citrus Flavor
Craving a dessert that’s light, zesty, and unbelievably moist? This Easy Lemon Cake delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with fresh lemon zest and juice for an irresistible burst of flavor in every bite. Using a cake mix shortcut and a few pantry staples, you’ll have a bakery-quality lemon dessert ready in under an hour—perfect for birthdays, brunch, or just because you deserve a treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super moist & fluffy – The pudding mix and oil keep it incredibly tender.
- Bright lemon flavor – Fresh zest and juice make it pop.
- Quick & easy – Minimal prep with cake mix convenience.
- Versatile – Enjoy plain, with a glaze, or topped with whipped cream.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microplane or fine grater (for lemon zest)
- Citrus juicer
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box instant lemon pudding mix
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup water
- 4 large eggs (optional but recommended for a richer texture)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (to add to batter or drizzle over baked cake)
Optional Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Oven & Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, lemon pudding mix, vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Add lemon zest and juice. Whisk or beat until smooth and well combined.
3. Pour & Smooth
Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
4. Bake
Bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool
Place pan on a wire rack and let cake cool for about 15 minutes.
6. Optional Glaze
Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake for extra tangy sweetness.
Pro Tips for the Best Lemon Cake
- Use fresh lemons – Bottled juice can’t match the bright flavor.
- For extra zing – Add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter.
- Make it fancy – Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Serving idea – Pair with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.
Easy Moist Lemon Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
- In a bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, water, eggs, zest, and juice. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 35–40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 15 minutes.
- Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice for glaze; drizzle over warm cake.