When it comes to lemon desserts, it doesn’t get any easier than this tasty lemon poke cake. If you’re a lemon lover, this may become one of your new favorite dessert recipes.
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What Is a Lemon Poke Cake?
A lemon poke cake is a citrus-flavored confection made from simple, store-bought ingredients like lemon cake mix, instant lemon pudding, and other pantry staples. The name “poke” comes from the holes that the baker pokes into the surface of the baked cake with the end of a wooden spoon. A sweet and tangy lemon pudding mixture drizzled over the top of the cake’s porous surface finishes this tangy pound cake, making for a moist treat that will be the hit of any potluck, summer BBQ, or dinner party.
5 Tips for Making a Lemon Poke Cake
Follow these tips to make the best lemon pudding poke cake possible:
- 1. Space out the holes. When puncturing the top of your lemon cake, space the holes about an inch apart to avoid overfilling the lemony pudding layer. At the same time, avoid spacing the holes too far apart, which may result in a dry cake without an adequate amount of pudding filling.
- 2. Change the format. Bakers typically prepare lemon poke cake in a 9x13-inch cake pan, but you can adjust the format to various baking vessels. Adapt this recipe into a bundt cake for a sliceable treat. Pour your batter into cupcake tins for individually sized treats. Keep in mind that adjusting the format of the cake will change the baking time.
- 3. Adapt the ingredients. Adjust this simple cake recipe to suit your preferences. Incorporate your favorite spices into the batter for different flavor combinations. For a less lemony result, use a classic yellow cake mix instead of a lemon-flavored one. Add lemon extract or lemon juice to your batter to amp up the tangy flavor. Stir in chocolate chips, blueberries, or chopped nuts for some textural variation.
- 4. Experiment with toppings. Top this cake with various garnishes and sauces to alter its flavor profile. Swap out the lemon pudding mixture for vanilla pudding or pastry-style lemon cream. Line the top with fresh fruit like tart berries or a swirl of fruit preserves. Drizzle on cream cheese frosting or caramel sauce for added sweetness. Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, or serve it with a scoop of homemade whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche for a cool, creamy finish. Let the lemon flavor with a simple topping of confectioners’ sugar, lemon glaze, lemon frosting, or a dollop of lemon curd.
- 5. Store properly. This moist cake will keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crumb will become softer over time.
Easy Lemon Poke Cake Recipe
makes
1 9x13-inch cakeprep time
20 mintotal time
45 mincook time
25 minIngredients
Note: The total time does not include up to 3 hours and 15 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease a 9x13-inch cake pan with nonstick spray or butter.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs and stir until well incorporated.
- 3
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and place it in the preheated oven.
- 4
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25–30 minutes.
- 5
Remove the cake from the oven, and let it cool for 15 minutes.
- 6
Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes across the top of the baked cake, leaving about an inch between each hole.
- 7
In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon pudding mix and whole milk until combined.
- 8
Pour the pudding mixture over the cake, evenly distributing the liquid over the surface and into the holes.
- 9
Cover the cake with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 1–3 hours.
- 10
Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Spread the whipped topping over the top of the cake.
- 11
Garnish with fresh lemon zest and lemon slices, and serve.
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