Deliciously Easy Lemon Sheet Cake

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How to make the best lemon sheet cake with a simple powdered sugar glaze. Light and fluffy, it's hands down my family's favorite lemon cake recipe.

My mom and grandma must have both had the same lemon cake recipe, because growing up, I remember both of them making this cake. Lemon cake is definitely a family loved dessert.

slice of lemon sheet cake on white plate with fork and slice of lemon

My favorite thing about this cake is the lemon glaze that creates a slightly crispy top and then soaks down into the cake.

And “easy” means this is a cake mix recipe. It's more than just a cake mix, though.

It’s a very quick and easy summer dessert, my kind of recipe. Like my favorite gluten-free Texas sheet cake and Jello poke cake, lemon sheet cake is perfect for your next church potluck or outdoor cookout.

lemon pudding cake in metal cake pan

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my baking tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

IS THIS A POKE CAKE?

While I call this cake a poke cake, it's a little different than your traditional lemon poke cake.

When making a traditional Jello poke cake… In order to get the liquid Jello into the cake, you poke holes in the top of the cake first, then pour the Jello over the already baked cake and let it all soak in.

This cake recipe is a little different, though. Instead of soaking the cake with liquid Jello or pudding (the pudding mix just goes in the batter), we soak the cake with a homemade lemon glaze.

We'll get to the glaze in a moment. But first, let's get to the actual cake, so you can see what I mean…

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO MAKE LEMON PUDDING CAKE

  1. First you’ll mix the cake mix and the instant pudding mix together. Then add the other ingredients and mix according to the recipe card instructions below.
  2. Pour the cake batter into a rectangular 13″x9″ cake pan, smooth it out evenly in the pan with a spatula, and it's ready to bake.
mixing lemon cake with mixer and pouring cake batter into metal cake pan

Notice the pudding mix actually mixes into the cake batter. Easy peasy.

HOW TO MAKE A LEMON GLAZE FOR CAKE

Meanwhile, mix up the lemon glaze.

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice, which will create a really thin glaze.
  2. When the cake is done and while it’s still hot, poke it all over with a fork; then pour or spoon on the glaze and spread it evenly over the cake.
poking holes in lemon poke cake with fork and pouring lemon glaze for cake over the holes

The glaze will soak down into the cake, creating a really moist texture to the cake and a slightly crunchy top layer on the cooled cake. It’s so good! 

This recipe feeds a crowd well, and it's perfect for potlucks and family get togethers.

bite of easy lemon cake with glaze on fork

CAN LEMON CAKE BE FROZEN?

It can be frozen. Just make sure it's covered well or sealed in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer.

FOR MORE DELICIOUS LEMON RECIPES, CHECK OUT:

SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

Mixer – I use my mixer just about every time I bake anything.

Cake Pan – You’ll need a 9″X13″ rectangular cake pan for this cake.

Spatula – Where would I be without my spatulas? I have a whole slew of them because we’re ALWAYS using them.

Cake Tester – Dan bought me a cake tester awhile back, and I’ll tell ya, it’s come in so handy! Although a toothpick inserted works really well too.

sliced lemon pudding cake on white plate, made with easy lemon cake recipe

GET THE PRINTABLE LEMON CAKE RECIPE

If you love this lemon pudding cake as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

easy lemon sheet cake recipe

Find my original recipe for easy lemon cake over at Adventures of Mel!

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Deliciously Easy Lemon Sheet Cake

How to make the best lemon sheet cake with a simple powdered sugar glaze. Hands down my family's favorite lemon cake recipe, using a cake mix and instant pudding.
4.85 from 33 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 292kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Ingredients

Cake:

Glaze:

Instructions

Cake:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
  • Mix together the cake mix and the instant pudding mix. 
  • Then add in the eggs and water, beating everything together for about 2 minutes.
  • Add the canola oil; then beat for another 2 minutes. 
  • Pour the cake batter into a rectangular 9"x13" cake pan, and smooth it out evenly in the pan with a spatula.
  • Place it in the oven and bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.

Glaze:

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice, which will create a really thin glaze.
  • When the cake is done and while it's still hot, poke it all over with a fork.
  • Then pour or spoon on the glaze and spread it evenly over the cake.
  • The glaze will soak down into the cake, creating a really moist texture to the cake and a slightly crunchy top layer.
  • Now it's ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

*You can substitute 4 ounces of frozen lemonade concentrate for the lemon juice. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 274mg | Sugar: 28g
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36 thoughts on “Deliciously Easy Lemon Sheet Cake”

  1. i made this cake for the guys at work and it was such a hit that i usually make two at a time to bring to work about every other month they absolutely love it! it is by far the best lemon cake i have ever tasted thank you for sharing the recipe

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    This came out good! I use to pay to get this cake made. But now I can b paid to make it. I just wasn’t sure if I was to flour the pan. I did and it came out great!! Thank u so much for the recipe. ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I served this at a birthday dinner today. Everyone loved it. Several of them said I should be sure to keep the recipe. That doesn’t happen very often.

    Reply
  4. This cake is amazing and so easy! I made for the birthday of an octogenarian who has eaten and loved a lot of cake (!) and he said it was the best cake he’s ever eaten. I agree. Trying a cupcake variation today with added blueberries, will see how it goes. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

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