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Easy Lemon Cake Magic

Featured in Treats That Make Everything Better.

Transform a cake mix into a rich bakery-inspired lemon bundt loaded with flavor. Sour cream and pudding add a homemade touch, while cream cheese frosting finishes it off perfectly.

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Clare Recipes
Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:11:02 GMT
A golden lemon bundt cake topped with smooth white frosting, sliced partly and served on a white plate amidst fresh lemons and greens. Pin it
A golden lemon bundt cake topped with smooth white frosting, sliced partly and served on a white plate amidst fresh lemons and greens. | lilicooks.com

I've been experimenting in my kitchen for ages and finally nailed a copycat version of the famous Nothing Bundt Cake lemon flavor. My twist begins with a boxed mix but turns into something extraordinary with a few clever additions. The cream cheese topping pipes beautifully just like the real deal, making this cake perfect for any get-together.

Kitchen Discovery Success

What I adore about this method is how it transforms an ordinary box mix into something truly special. Adding tangy sour cream and zesty fresh lemon creates an incredibly juicy texture in every bite. Whenever I'm throwing a dinner party or taking a sweet treat to gatherings, everyone always asks for seconds.

Shopping List Essentials

  • Lemon cake mix from the store as your starting point
  • Box of lemon pudding mix for extra juiciness
  • Whole fat sour cream don't go light here
  • Eggs brought to room temperature
  • Canola oil for softness
  • Juice from real lemons skip the pre-bottled kind
  • Cream cheese left out to soften
  • Unsalted butter also softened
  • Sifted powdered sugar for smooth icing
  • Real vanilla extract forget the artificial stuff
A freshly baked lemon bundt cake with a glossy icing, partially sliced to reveal its soft, moist interior. Pin it
A freshly baked lemon bundt cake with a glossy icing, partially sliced to reveal its soft, moist interior. | lilicooks.com

Easy Preparation Steps

Combining Ingredients
Mix your boxed cake mix pudding eggs oil sour cream and squeezed lemon juice until everything's combined then pour the batter into a greased bundt pan
Oven Magic
Warm your oven to 350°F slide in your cake and let it cook until you can smell that amazing lemon scent around 45 minutes stick in a toothpick to check it's done

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this cake earlier?

Sure! This cake tastes even better chilled overnight. Just frost when you're ready to serve.

→ Why should I add sour cream?

It makes the texture super soft and gives it plenty of flavor.

→ How can I prevent sticking?

Grease every corner of the pan with baking spray or a mix of grease and flour. Don’t miss the edges!

→ Is it OK to freeze this cake?

Definitely! Keep it unfrosted in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost when ready.

→ How do I copy the frosting stripes?

Fill a piping bag and draw lines from the bottom up all around the cake. Easy and looks fancy!

Easy Lemon Cake

Skip complicated steps—this lemon bundt uses mix, pudding, and a creamy frosting to wow everyone.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Sweet Stuff

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup of sour cream.
02 1 box (3.4 oz) of lemon-flavored instant pudding mix.
03 1 lemon-flavored cake mix box.
04 4 eggs, large.
05 1/2 cup of canola or neutral oil.
06 1/4 cup of freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
07 1/4 cup of water.
08 8 oz of cream cheese, softened.
09 1/4 cup of butter, unsalted and softened.
10 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.
11 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract.

Instructions

Step 01

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Coat your 9-inch bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick spray.

Step 02

Mix together cake mix, pudding powder, sour cream, eggs, oil, lemon juice, and water until it's smooth and well-combined.

Step 03

Carefully pour the batter into your pan.

Step 04

Put the pan in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out nice and clean.

Step 05

Let the cake cool all the way, then refrigerate it overnight before serving.

Step 06

To make the frosting, blend cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until it’s super smooth.

Step 07

Add the frosting to a piping bag and make vertical lines down the sides of the cake.

Notes

  1. Letting it chill overnight makes the texture even better.
  2. It's really important to grease the pan well to stop it from sticking.
  3. If you don’t frost it, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Tools You'll Need

  • A bundt pan.
  • A stand mixer or hand-held mixer.
  • A piping bag for frosting.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs.
  • Includes dairy products.
  • Contains wheat flour or gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 568
  • Total Fat: 37 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
  • Protein: 5 g