Easy Lemon Loaf Cake from a Mix

Our easy lemon loaf recipe is moist, tangy, and incredibly simple to make!

Making a lemon loaf cake from a mix is an easy way to enjoy an elegant dessert topped with a mouth-puckering lemon glaze.

This delightful treat is perfect for any occasion and brings a bit of sunshine to your kitchen.

a glazed lemon loaf cake, made with cake mix, is on a serving plate, with a couple of slices cut.

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Serving lemon loaf cake made with a cake mix is like bringing a burst of sunshine into my kitchen, especially during the spring and summer months.

The bright, lemony flavor is so refreshing and delightful–perfect for an easy but flavorful treat.

You will love how simple it is to whip up this glazed lemon loaf cake!

Using a cake mix and instant pudding mix cuts down on prep time without sacrificing any of the flavor.

Boxed mixes are one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts.

In fact, my recipes for Red Velvet Loaf Cake, Biscoff Loaf Cake and Pistachio Bread all rely on the magic of boxed cake mixes and pudding mixes.

Not only that, but these loaves freeze beautifully.

I’ve been known to bake a few loaves at once, then enjoy one right away and stash the rest in the freezer for later.

It’s perfect for those last-minute gatherings or when I need a quick, delicious dessert option.

More Lemony Desserts You’ll Love:

overhead view of a sliced loaf of lemon cake, served on a white platter.

How to Serve Easy Lemon Loaf

This easy recipe includes a lemony glaze that is drizzled over the cake before serving. It’s simple, yet flavorful.

You can also serve this easy lemon loaf as a simple, elegant dessert dusted with powdered sugar.

Or enjoy it topped with whipped cream or alongside fresh seasonal fruit, like strawberries and blueberries!

Either way, this loaf cake is a real crowd-pleaser!

It’s always a hit at church potlucks and get-togethers with friends. You’re sure to get requests for the recipe!

I can imagine it being a lovely addition to a wedding or baby shower spread, adding a touch of sweetness and brightness to any celebration.

The best part is that no one will ever guess that it started with a box mix!

overhead view of two slices of cake mix lemon loaf cake, served on a white plate.

How to Make Lemon Loaf Cake from a Mix

It’s really easy to make this simple yet flavorful treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

FOR THE LOAF CAKES

  • Lemon Cake Mix
  • All-purpose Flour
  • Instant Lemon Pudding Mix
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Water
  • Sour Cream
  • Eggs
  • Lemon Zest

FOR THE GLAZE

  • Lemon Juice
  • Powdered Sugar
two slices of lemon loaf cake on a white plate

How to Make It:

Prepare the batter. First, you’ll combine cake mix, flour, dry lemon pudding mix, oil, water, sour cream, eggs, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl.

Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on high speed for about 2 minutes.

two photos; one shows ingredients for cake batter in a glass mixing bowl, the other shows the ingredients mixed into a batter for lemon loaf cake.

Bake the loafs. Next, you’ll pour the batter into prepared loaf pans and bake for about 32-36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaves comes out clean.

Remove the pans from the oven and let the loaf cakes cool completely.

two photos; one shows cake batter poured into prepared loaf pans. The other shows the cakes in the pans after baking.

Prepare the glaze. Next, you’ll whisk together powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.

two photos; one shows powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl; the other shows the ingredients whisked together to form a glaze.

Glaze the loaf. Last, you’ll drizzle the glaze evenly over the loaf cakes. Allow glaze to set to a satiny finish, then slice and serve.

two photos; one shows a lemon loaf cake on a serving plate, the other shows glaze poured over it.

Notes and Adaptations

  • Although the glaze is optional, we like to add it for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Unglazed loaf cakes freeze well. Simply cool completely, then wrap well with plastic wrap and freeze. Once thawed out, you can prepare the glaze and drizzle over the cakes.
  • Want to skip the glaze? Simply dust the cake with some powdered sugar!
  • Check out our list of easy cake mix recipes for more baking shortcuts.
lemon loaf cake that was baked in a fluted loaf pan, on a cutting board with a wedge cut out of it.
5 from 2 votes

Lemon Loaf Cake (from a Mix)

Author: Chrysti Benner
Serves: 20 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
This easy lemon loaf cake is tender, moist, and bursting with flavor. Plus it's super easy to make, thanks to a cake mix!

Ingredients
 

For the Loaf Cakes:

  • 15.25- oz lemon cake mix
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3.4- oz instant lemon pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

For the Glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F and grease two 8×4" loaf pans well.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer), combine cake mix, flour, dry lemon pudding mix, oil, water, sour cream, eggs, and lemon zest. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on high speed for about 2 minutes.
  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pans and bake for about 32-36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaves comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Once cool, turn loaves out onto a plate for serving.
  • Prepare glaze by combining powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth.
  • If needed, add up to 1 tablespoon more of lemon juice, a little bit at a time, until glaze can be easily drizzled over the cakes.
  • Drizzle glaze evenly over the loaf cakes. Allow glaze to set to a satiny finish, then slice and serve.

Notes

  • Although the glaze is optional, we like to add it for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Unglazed loaf cakes freeze well. Simply cool completely, then wrap well with plastic wrap and freeze. Once thawed out, you can prepare the glaze and drizzle over the cakes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition info is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Course Cakes
Cuisine American

Did you try this recipe?

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two photos; one shows slices of lemon loaf cake on a white plate, the other shows a sliced loaf cake on a platter.

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5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. This cake was easy, lemony and delicious! 5 stars.
    Thank you.

    1. Chrysti Benner says:

      Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

  2. Kimberley says:

    I love this recipe! Tired out amazing. I did use French vanilla pudding (what I had in hand) was so yummy and it was a beautiful bread. Thank you!!

    1. Chrysti Benner says:

      Thank you, Kimberley! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your tweak, too! 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Just made this recipe the loaves came out delicious will definitely make it again

    1. Chrysti Benner says:

      Thank you so much, Marie! I love hearing that the loaves turned out well for you! 🙂

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