Lemonade Cake

The saying goes that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what about when you have leftover lemonade? If you’re craving the ideal easy lemon dessert, make this vibrant lemonade cake.

Light and moist but incredibly flavorful, this lemon cake recipe comes together with just five ingredients, then a simple glaze tops it all off. Lemon cake mix and lemon pudding mix are the keys to success in this clever cake mix recipe. Doctor the cake mix for the ultimate sweet and tangy lemon treat for summer days, sunny brunches or a lemon lover’s birthday celebration.

Lemonade Cake Ingredients

• Lemon cake mix: Pick up a package of lemon cake mix from the grocery store to serve as the base of this cake. With this easy option, the cake batter will be ready in no time.
• Lemon pudding mix: A box of pudding mix enhances the cake mix for vibrant flavor. It also helps produce a super moist cake. For this lemonade cake recipe, use instant pudding mix instead of cook-and-serve.
• Lemonade: While most cake mix boxes call for adding water, we’re using lemonade instead. This is the key to this lemonade cake recipe, as it adds moisture and amps up the cake’s flavor. Use your favorite lemonade recipe or stir in a mix from the store.
• Eggs: Eggs are crucial for binding ingredients, adding moisture and richness, and helping a cake rise while baking. Let four eggs come to room temperature before baking for the best cake texture.
• Vegetable oil: Oil adds fat to a cake mix, which results in extra moisture and richness. Use vegetable oil or swap in another neutral oil or even coconut oil. You can also use an equal amount of melted butter.
• Confectioners’ sugar and butter: This lemonade cake from a box mix can stand on its own with bold flavor. To make it even better, top it with a simple glaze. Combine confectioners’ sugar with softened butter and add a splash of lemonade to thin the consistency for the ultimate topping.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cake mix

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, lemonade, eggs and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for two minutes.

Editor’s Tip: For the smoothest batter, sift the cake mix or whisk it in the bowl before adding the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Bake the cake

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 10-inch fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 3: Let the cake cool

Cool for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Finish with the glaze

In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients, adding enough lemonade to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle over the cake.

Lemonade Cake Variations

• Use another cake mix: Swapping out the cake mix is certainly an option, but it will result in a lighter lemon flavor. You can easily use a white cake mix or a yellow cake mix for this lemonade cake recipe.
• Top with frosting: Instead of a glaze, top the cake with frosting. Lemon frosting or strawberry frosting would be a wonderful pairing.
• Add coconut: Love the combination of lemon and coconut? Stir 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut into the batter before baking. Alternatively, sprinkle toasted coconut on top of the glazed cake.

How to Store Lemonade Cake

Lemonade cake will stay moist for days. To preserve its moisture and texture, store any cake leftovers in an airtight container, wrapped with storage wrap or covered with a large cake dome. Store the cake at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Can you freeze lemonade cake?

Freezing cake is simple and allows you to keep a treat on hand for when a craving strikes. Wrap any leftover lemonade cake in a layer of storage wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer bag. Store the cake for up to two months in the freezer and thaw at room temperature to enjoy.

Lemonade Cake Tips

Can you bake lemonade cake in a different pan?

While this recipe calls for baking the cake in a fluted tube pan or Bundt pan, there are plenty of other cake pan options to choose from. Divide the batter between multiple round or square cake pans. You could also turn this into loaf cakes by dividing the batter between two 9×5-inch loaf pans.

What’s the best way to decorate a lemonade cake?

After topping the cake with glaze, choose to keep it as-is or dress it up further. Arrange sliced strawberries or other fresh fruit on top. The cake could also be topped with grated lemon zest or lemon slices.

How should you serve lemonade cake?

With its punchy lemon flavor and excellent moisture, lemonade cake is the perfect dessert for a summer evening. Serve it on its own, with a scoop of fruity ice cream or pair it with a glass of lemonade. Lemonade cake could also be served for a warm-weather brunch, just pair the cake with savory menu items like a ham and cheese quiche or a sausage and egg casserole.