You can make this Lemon Pound Cake in no time using a boxed cake mix and instant lemon pudding, and the result is a bright, moist Bundt cake that tastes completely homemade. It’s one of my go-to desserts when I need something quick for the holidays because it always bakes up perfectly and slices beautifully. Serve it with a simple lemon glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or enjoy it plain — it’s delicious any way you make it.
I love making citrus-flavored recipes like our Orange Crush soda cake and Orange Lemonade. The pop of tart citrus is so tasty, especially in this super moist lemon pound cake with cake mix.
The Best Lemon Cake Recipe
My husband's grandmother (Nana) was a phenomenal cook and baker. She made everything by hand: bread, pasta, cookies, and the most amazing meringue pies I have ever tasted.
She has been gone for over 20 years, but to this day, I can still taste her cooking.
I miss her.
Every now and then, my mother-in-law will pull out Nana's recipes and go through them while we are visiting, looking for family favorites.
Lemon pound cake with Duncan Hines cake mix
This particular lemon cake recipe was cut from the side of a Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix box
and was tucked in the pages of her recipe book.
Nana could spy a good recipe, and even though this isn't from scratch, she made & saved it because it was so good.
My husband said this was a special dessert he remembered growing up. It was a favorite of his grandfather's, and Nana had it readily available for dessert on a pretty cake plate.
Once I made it, I could see why! It really is the perfect cake.
Ingredients for lemon pound cake
- Box cake mix, lemon flavor– I really like baking with Duncan Hines cake mixes
. Cakes always come out super moist and fluffy. - Instant pudding mix– Take your bundt cake up a notch and add Jello instant lemon pudding mix to the batter. Using this ingredient creates a deliciously soft and flavorful crumb for any cake flavor you choose.
mixPound cake options using cake mix and pudding
Lemon pound cake with cake mix is my favorite way to make a quick, sweet treat. The lemon tastes so fresh with every bite, and the pudding makes the cake so soft and pillowy! You can also try these pudding and cake combinations:
- Vanilla– add to any cake mix for a flavor boost.
- Chocolate– goes well with chocolate cake.
- Orange – try French Vanilla or Cheesecake flavored pudding mix
- Lemon– lemon pudding mix is perfect.
- Pumpkin -This pumpkin pound cake tastes great with vanilla instant pudding!
How to make Lemon Pound Cake
- Preheat the oven and prepare your baking pan: Use directions on the cake mix package for proper baking temperature and baking time.
- Prepare cake batter: In a large bowl, prepare cake mix as per directions using a hand mixer, or a stand mixer like this one that is currently on sale on Amazon for a great price! Add dry lemon pudding mix and blend thoroughly.
- Fill cake pans: Pour cake batter into prepared baking pan and bake until a toothpick test shows a clean toothpick.
- Cool completely: Make sure you cool cake completely on a cooling rack. Once cooled, turn the cake onto a serving plate.
Tips for Best Texture
- Don’t overmix once ingredients are combined.
- Grease and flour your Bundt pan well so the cake releases cleanly.
- Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes before flipping out.
- Add fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor.
- Glaze after cooling for a smooth finish.
Additional lemon bundt cake topping ideas
What makes this lemon pound cake recipe so darn good is the simplicity. No icing is required, and no need for powdered sugar to be sprinkled on top.
Now, that is not to say we haven't enjoyed it with fixings! Some of our favorite serving suggestions:
- Place a scoop of ice cream on top.
- Put a big dollop of whipped cream, Dream Whip , or Cool Whip.
- Add blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries.
of ice cream on top.
, or Cool Whip.Our favorite way to enjoy this cake is to simply slice and serve!
Other recipes to try:
Favorite tools to use when baking a lemon cake
- Large mixing bowl is perfect if mixing this moist lemon pound cake with a hand mixer; otherwise, the bowl on a stand mixer will work just fine.
- Wooden Spoon – every kitchen has a wooden spoon! If not, grab one. They are great for baking and cooking!
- Bowl Scraper I use this kitchen tool all the time! It's great for cutting brownies too!
- Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer Use this for mixing cakes or a hand mixer will work too.
- Bundt Pan A fluted bundt pan is great for this lemon bundt cake recipe! Serving is very easy when using a bundt pan.
- Cooling Rack helps to cool baked goods quickly, including this cake!
- Pretty Cake Stand I love serving baked goods, especially cakes on a pretty cake stand because it makes everything the star of the show!
; otherwise, the bowl on a 
will work just fine. 
Serving Ideas
- Serve slices with fresh berries for a holiday dessert.
- Perfect for Christmas morning brunch.
- Add to dessert boards with cookies and pound cakes.
- Gift whole Bundt cakes wrapped in parchment + ribbon.
FAQ
What pan can I use to bake a pound cake?
I like to bake this lemon pound cake in a bundt pan, and this is the one I use from Nordic Ware
. I like using a bundt pan because it is easy to serve a crowd, but you can also use a loaf pan
as we did for our Clementine Pound Cake.
How long does a bundt cake take to bake?
Bundt cakes in general only take 35-40 minutes to bake making them one of my favorite ways to enjoy a cake. However, this particular lemon bundt cake recipe will take 50-55 minutes because of the additional eggs and pudding. Well worth the wait!
Can you freeze lemon pound cake?
A question that comes up a lot regarding baked goods is can I freeze this? Honestly, most baked items can freeze well.
Yes! This cake freezes super well because it is made with pudding mix
.
Many times I will cut this cake in half, wrap half in Saran Wrap, and place it in a Zip-Lock Freezer bag. Frozen pound cake will stay fresh for 3-6 months.
If you're looking for a more traditional cake recipe with lemon, then try this delicious deliciously easy lemon sheet cake!
Ready to have your cake and eat it too? A printable recipe is below:
Lemon Pound Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 package Duncan Hines Lemon Cake mix
- 1 3.4 oz package of instant lemon pudding & pie filling
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
- Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer and beat on medium speed (with paddle attachment) for 2 minutes.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake 50-55 minutes or until toothpick tests clean from center of cake.
- Cool on rack for 20 minutes. Turn out cake onto rack and allow to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
original post: 2/4/19
updated post 3/4/20, 6/12/20, 2/15/24, 12/2/25
The recipe says the lemon Bundt cake bakes for 50-55 minutes, but you said 35-40. Which one is it?
Thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out!!! You will bake this lemon pound cake for 50-55 minutes (because of the pudding and eggs!) I meant to say that MOST Bundt cakes will cook in a shorter time, but not this one! Off to fix it! 🙂
I have made the Duncan Hines Lemon Pound Cake many times but have problems with it falling an inch or two as it cools. Can’t figure out what is wrong. I know it is done as I check it. My sister is having the same problem. Any ideas?
Hi Mary Kay,
Sorry to hear your cakes are falling as they cool! There could be many reasons this happens- oven temp, type of pan, elevation, etc. I always make this particular recipe in a fluted bundt pan that has been greased with vegetable shortening. Hope that helps!
Made it last night for my husband. Haven’t tried it yet but it smells delicious. Thank you for this quick recipe.