Description

This vibrant Lemon Poke Cake is a delightful twist on a classic yellow cake, infused with tangy instant lemon pudding and topped with a luscious lemon glaze. The cake is baked to golden perfection, then poked with holes to allow the sweet lemon glaze to permeate every bite, creating a moist and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for gatherings or a refreshing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

1 (15.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
1 (3.4 oz) package instant lemon pudding mix
¾ cup water
½ cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs

For the Lemon Glaze

⅓ cup lemon juice
2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix and instant lemon pudding mix. Add water, vegetable oil, and eggs, and mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and evenly blended.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare the Cake for Glazing: While the cake is still hot, use a fork to poke holes all over the top surface. This step allows the glaze to seep deep into the cake, enhancing its flavor and moisture.
Make the Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy.
Apply the Glaze: Pour the lemon glaze evenly over the hot cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes for maximum flavor infusion.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving. This lets the glaze set and the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

Ensure the cake is still warm when poking holes and pouring the glaze to allow better absorption.
Use fresh lemon juice for the best tangy flavor in the glaze.
For a more intense lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the glaze or batter.
This cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for 4-5 days.
You can dust additional confectioners’ sugar on top before serving for extra sweetness and presentation.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon poke cake, lemon cake, poke cake, yellow cake, lemon pudding cake, easy lemon dessert