Easy Southern Apricot Nectar Cake

This old-fashioned apricot nectar cake is as easy as can be!

close-up view of a glazed slice of apricot nectar cake on a white plate

Everyone will be asking for the recipe when you serve this apricot nectar cake–it’s a southern favorite!

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Growing up in the south, I’ve learned that the best recipes are the ones that get passed down from generation to generation, ensuring there will always be someone bringing the beloved dish to the family reunion or church potluck.

The reality is, everyone should have a special dessert recipe in their pocket that can be made quickly, easily, and that is sure to please all who eat it. One that you’re “known for” and that others always request the recipe for.

This apricot nectar cake is exactly that!

Not only is it a bright and cheery dessert, but it’s exceedingly simple. You can serve it as-is or dress it up with some fresh berries and whipped cream.

More Delicious Bundt Cake Recipes You’ll Love:

A slice of apricot nectar cake on a white plate with a fork next to it, and the serving plate with the remainder of the whole cake behind it.

Apricot Nectar Cake Made with a Cake Mix

This apricot nectar cake is super easy to make because it starts with a cake mix!

I use a lemon cake mix, which is the traditional way of preparing this cake. I happen to love lemon desserts, so this works out well.

If you aren’t a fan of lemon, you can use a regular yellow cake mix instead, but it won’t be quite the same.

The apricot nectar adds moisture and sweetness to the cake, plus a hint of flavor–but this cake does not have an overt apricot flavor.

So it’s actually more like a lemon cake made with apricot nectar!

How to Make An Apricot Nectar Bundt Cake

It’s really easy to make this southern favorite!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • Lemon cake mix
  • Lemon Jello
  • Apricot nectar
  • Vegetable oil
  • Eggs
Upright slice of apricot cake on a white plate

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Make the batter. First, you’ll combine all of the ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer and mix them together on low speed. Then increase the speed for a couple of minutes to beat well.

apricot nectar cake ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer

Bake. Next, you’ll pour the batter into a greased bundt pan and pop it in the oven to bake.

batter for a cake made with apricot nectar being poured into a prepared bundt pan

Glaze. Last, you’ll brush a simple glaze onto the warm cake, allowing it to soak into the cake. The glaze will harden and form a perfect, satiny finish over the cake. It’s dreamy!

glaze being brushed onto the apricot nectar cake

Where Do I Find Apricot Nectar in the Grocery Store?

Apricot nectar can most often be found in the juice aisle of the grocery store. Common brands include Jumex, Kern’s, and Goya.

Jumex nectar is typically sold in an aluminum can (like a soda can). Kern’s apricot nectar is sold in both larger plastic juice bottles and packages of smaller cans of nectar. Goya nectar can be found in both cans and glass bottles.

ingredients for the apricot nectar cake on a kitchen counter, including eggs, lemon jello, lemon cake mix, oil, and a can of jumex apricot nectar

Substitutes for Apricot Nectar in Cake

If you can’t find apricot nectar in stores near you, don’t despair! Although you can order it in bulk from Amazon, it definitely costs more that way. However, there are some readily available substitutes that will work just fine.

Instead of apricot nectar, you can use mango nectar or peach nectar, which may be easier to find in your local grocery store.

southern cake made with apricot nectar served on a white plate, with plates and forks in the background

Notes and Adaptations:

  • Since this recipe only calls for 1 cup of nectar, you’ll likely have some leftover. You can pour the remaining apricot nectar into a freezer-safe container and freeze it.
  • Although I prefer to brush the glaze over the cake so the cake is fully covered, you can also drizzle it over the cake instead.

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 12 Servings

Apricot Nectar Cake

slice of old-fashioned apricot nectar cake on a white plate

This apricot nectar cake combines a lemon cake mix, lemon Jello, and sweet apricot nectar to make a delectable and cheery dessert!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Cake:
  • 15.25-oz box lemon cake mix
  • 3-oz package lemon Jello
  • 1 cup apricot nectar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 TBSP lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325F and grease a bundt pan well.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer), combine lemon cake mix, lemon gelatin, apricot nectar, vegetable oil, and eggs.
  3. Mix on low speed just until ingredients are combined, then increase speed to high and mix for two minutes.
  4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then carefully loosen from the sides of the pan by sliding a knife around the edges. Invert cake onto a serving plate.
  6. While the cake is still warm, whisk together confectioner's sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Brush glaze onto warm cake. The glaze will harden into a satiny finish as the cake cools.

Notes

  • Apricot nectar can most often be found in the juice aisle of the grocery store. Common brands include Jumex and Goya, and the nectar is often packaged in an aluminum can (like a soda can). If you can't find apricot nectar, mango nectar or peach nectar are substitutes that work just as well.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 324Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 352mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 1gSugar: 32gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Want more delicious recipe ideas?

Check out even more mealtime inspiration on my Pinterest boards!

an apricot nectar bundt cake on a white plate, with a slice removed from the cake displaying the moist interior

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4 Comments

  1. Dennis brown says:

    Back in the 70s when I was introduced to this cake, is watch this delicious cake being prepared and as a kid naturally, I locked the bowl lol and when I was in high school a couple years later since I liked it so much, is bake one every 3 weeks or so, but the one thing that was never in the ingredients was the jello, so I’m trying to figure out at what point in time that got added and how it adds into the flavor to the apricot nectar… I’ve also seen a couple where pudding is added in and it can see additional moisture there as well but, I probably won’t go that far…
    Maybe one day I’ll break down and try the jello in the cake mix…

    Just saying…

    1. Chrysti Benner says:

      Hi Dennis! I think making it without the jello is just fine if you prefer it that way! I think the lemon jello just gives a brighter flavor (plus some moisture and sweetness), but I think it would be okay to leave it out, especially if that’s how you’re used to it! 🙂

  2. Nancy Taylor says:

    Does this recipe work with the newer cake mixes that have fewer ounces than the original mixes?

    1. Chrysti Benner says:

      Hi Nancy! Yes, I use a 15.25-oz mix, which is the most common size available now. I’ll update the recipe to specify the size! 🙂

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