Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (2024)

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Summer is slipping away.

The funny thing is, as much as I love summer, as soon as the kids start back to school I am more than ready for autumn to make its presence known. The crispness in the air, the colorful hues adorning the trees, football and pumpkin…all are my cue that summer is long gone and fall is here.

I wanted so badly to make pumpkin bread today, but I couldn’t do that to summer. Summer needs it’s last hurrah before autumn pushes it out of the way and takes the spotlight. So, with the smell of lemon filling my kitchen and sweet sunshine tones of summer, I made a lemon cake.

This, my friends, is not just any lemon cake. This is a lemon cake with everything rich and indulgent I could imagine poured in. Sour cream, pudding, butter and buttermilk… all wrapped up in one brightly baked package. It smells like summer, it tastes like summer… in my mind, it is an ideal way to bid adieu to a wonderful few months and to let fall know that yes… now we’re ready.

(Just like those awesome chevron spoons from my banana pudding ice cream post, these yellow bags are also from I’m With Cupcake. Check out their adorable stuff, today!)

When you are truly ready to say goodbye to summer and want a more fall like sweet treat, give this Banana Bread recipe from Brown Eyed Baker a try!

Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (4)

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Sinful Lemon Cake

A sinful lemon cake with hints of summertime.

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Cake Flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 4- ounce package instant dry Jello pudding mix vanilla or lemon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
  • 1 cup buttermilk or buttermilk substitute
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two standard size loaf pans with cooking spray. Set aside.

  • In a medium sized bowl, mix together cake flour, baking powder, Kosher salt, granulated sugar and pudding mix.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add eggs and beat until a soft yellow. Add butter and shortening and mix until fluffy. Slowly add additional wet ingredients (buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract) and mix until well blended.

  • Add the dry ingredients, 1 cup at a time, to the stand mixer bowl and beat at medium speed until all the dry and wet ingredients are incorporated and batter is smooth.

  • Pour the batter into two prepared loaf pans. Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.

  • Allow to cool then remove from pan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (5)Marla says

    Love the slices of lemon cake in the bags!

  2. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (6)The Duo Dishes says

    The bags are very cute! Such a nice touch. Love the pudding in the cake. People have to admit that pudding makes cakes quite moist.

  3. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (8)Crystal @ Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

    Sinful is right! Although I’d love to be eating a slice right now…
    I have to admit that I’m not really a summer person (too hot for me – especially this summer when I was pregnant for most of it!). So I always love autumn, but I also don’t have kiddos in school (for 2 more years…)

  4. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (10)TidyMom says

    As much as I love fall, I do hate to see Summer come to an end!…….but this cake sure helps!

  5. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (11)Deborah says

    Yay for celebrating the last of summer! I, too, am holding onto as much of summer as I can, and this cake looks like the perfect way to do that!

  6. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (12)Meeta says

    Oh no I am not letting go of summer yet! It’s so very much my season and the thought of waiting for it till next year is just pain. So glad you decided to leave the pumpkin out – this cake is pure sunshine and I adore citrus cakes. Like the fact that you used pudding in this!

  7. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (14)SWeetsugarbelle says

    You had me at sinful!

  8. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (16)Heidi @foodiecrush says

    I’m with you, my fingernails are clawing at the last remaining days of warm weather and fancy free living. I LOVE lemon cake, can’t wait to try yours.

  9. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (17)Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    Sinful is indeed the correct word for this cake.

    I love the chevron wrappers where did you put those up? I could make good use of them for my daughter’s birthday party.

  10. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (18)Gina says

    Positively DELISH!!!!!!!! Making this today!

  11. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (19)carrian says

    I cannot let go of summer. I was just saying yesterday, I feel like I’m trying to soak up every last bit before nasty winter hits. I hate that winter here can last until June. BLEH! anyway, pinned this to make the first week it cools down so I can think of summer, and your darling friendship of course

  12. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (20)Kelley {mountain mama cooks} says

    Gorgeous! I’m with you- trying to hold on to summer as long as possible. This is my favorite time of year in Park City. The weather is gorgeous and the promise of cooler nights is just around the corner!! Those bags are adorable, can’t wait to check the site out.

  13. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (21)Jimi says

    I need to make this asap. I love anything lemon! And those bags are so adorable! I was just about to ask in the comments where you got them…very smart of you to include that in the post.
    Side note – I ordered some Notes to Self socks to give as thank you gifts to a couple friends who are active. Now I want some for myself!!

  14. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (23)Bev @ Bev Cooks says

    Mmmmm I can almost imaaaaaaagine the taaaaste in my faaaaaceeee.

  15. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (24)Cassie says

    This could not be more sinful, Kristen. I love everything about it!

  16. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (25)Diana says

    Lemon Cake is one of my favorites! I always make it around Christmas! YUM!

  17. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (26)Lynn says

    Not sure if this is referring to instant or cook

  18. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (27)Lynn says

    Sorry, that got away from me……
    Is this referring to instant pudding?

    • Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (28)Kristen says

      Ooops – sorry! Thanks for pointing that out. It should be instant pudding mix 🙂

  19. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (29)Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says

    Sinful? I’d call that cake luscious! Yum. Lemon is one of my favorite flavors and is most definitely a summery delight. I love summer, too, and am always sad to see it go. It always feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.

  20. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (30)Melissa says

    Oh man! You love me, you really love me. How did you know I ADORE lemon?! I just made Picky Palate’s Starbucks Iced Lemon pound cakes, well a few days ago, but YUMMMMM! Can’t wait to make this! Thanks!

  21. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (31)Betsy says

    No fall! If I could draw a circle with fall in the middle and a line through it I would. I want summer to last forever!

    • Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (32)Kristen says

      🙂 I pretty much just want the 100 degree weather to go away 😉 70-80’s with summer hours and schedule would be ideal!

  22. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (33)Kimberly @ A Night Owl says

    This looks FANTASTIC Kristen! I pinned it, I’m going to be making it for my Keurig Vue party in September – yay!

  23. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (34)Megan says

    I was just about to make a pumpkin and dried cranberry bread. My in-laws arrive tomorrow and I always like to have a tasty quick bread for them to have with coffee. Now I’m torn. This might be the one to make. Maybe I’m being too quick to dismiss Summer! Thanks for posting!!

  24. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (35)lin says

    could this be made in a bundt pan? It sounds wonderful!!

    • Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (36)Kristen says

      Hi Lin – I really think it could. In fact I originally imagined doing it in a bundt pan but changed my mind because I decided I wanted loaves. Let me know if you try it that way!

      • Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (37)lin says

        I will post after I try it! I think it’s going to be tomorrow….I won’t be able to wait! Thanks

  25. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (38)Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    I absolutely love lemon desserts and the best are when it’s in the form of a simple cake. Here’s to holding on to summer!

  26. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (39)Marnely Rodriguez says

    Oh this looks perfect and captures the happiness of summer!

  27. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (40)Delishhh says

    So cute – love the little bags – I wish summer was not ending, especially here in Seattle, WA love summer here. Just fyi – having 20% off in my store right now.

  28. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (41)Bob says

    I really like those little bags, awesome pics.

  29. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (42)Jamie says

    I love lemon cake, love lemon desserts and snacks and I’d love to give this a go. Sadly, I don’t use boxed pudding mix. Don’t sell it here. I wonder if this could be made without it?

    • Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (43)Kristen says

      Totally – in fact the sour cream and pudding were just things I decided to throw in to make it more indulgent 🙂 You can easily do it without.

  30. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (44)Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says

    Kristen, you know the thing I love the most about citrus desserts is that you can eat them in the middle of an ice storm and one biter takes you straight back to summer.

  31. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (45)Kristy Life-n-Reflection says

    I love lemon bake goods! Those chevron bags are too perfect for these!

  32. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (46)Jamie | My Baking Addiction says

    I am so compelled to start baking with Fall flavors, but the 90+ degree temps are making it hard. Summer definitely needs a last hurrah and this cake looks like the way to celebrate!

  33. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (47)Mrs. L says

    It’s a whole 64 degrees this afternoon in sunny California so yes, baking this should be on my list! Yummy sounding!

  34. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (48)lin says

    Well, making this in a bundt pan was a success! This is so yummy! Light and delicious. Thanks for the recipe!

  35. Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (50)casque beats by dre studio says

    Jag tror att ditt perspektiv är djup, det bara genomtänkt och verkligen fantastiskt att se någon som vet hur man sätter dessa tankar ner så bra. Bra jobb på detta
    din blogg är väldigt good.It var mycket väl skrivit och lätt att förstå. Till skillnad från andra bloggar jag har läst som verkligen inte bra. Jag hittade också dina inlägg mycket intressant

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Holding On To Summer {Recipe: Sinful Lemon Cake} (2024)

FAQs

Can I use lemon juice instead of water in cake mix? ›

Sprinkle in lemon or orange zest to give your box cake batter a hint of zing. You can also replace the water with lemon, orange or lime juice or soda. Use this method with any type of cake mix, but it works best with lemon, yellow and white cake.

What makes a cake moist and fluffy? ›

From ingredient swaps to unique methods, explore these ways to help make your cakes moist.
  1. USE THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND BAKING TIME. ...
  2. USE VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  3. USE BUTTERMILK INSTEAD OF MILK. ...
  4. ADD INSTANT PUDDING MIX. ...
  5. ADD MAYONNAISE. ...
  6. USE SIMPLE SYRUP OR GLAZE. ...
  7. USE CAKE FLOUR. ...
  8. DON'T OVERMIX.

What happens if you put too much lemon juice in a cake? ›

Cutting too much lemon for a recipe can result in a dish that is excessively sour or acidic. This can overpower the other flavors and make the dish unbalanced. It is important to use the right amount of lemon to ensure the desired taste and to avoid ruining the dish.

How to get a strong lemon flavor? ›

1) For aromatic lemon flavor, use the zest.

If you have fresh lemons, wash each lemon and use a zester to grate the rind before cutting them into them for the juice. Use gentle strokes to remove only the exterior layer of rind, where the flavorful oils are found, and not the bitter white pith beneath.

What happens if you use milk instead of water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What does adding applesauce to cake do? ›

Applesauce acts much like the fat. It keeps the flour protein from mixing completely with the wet ingredients and forming a rubbery, dense texture. This is what does applesauce do in baking.

What makes a cake more moist, oil or butter? ›

Why does oil give cake superior texture? Butter is 18% water, so when the batter is baked, some of its liquid evaporates. Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness.

Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

If you're unsure, it's safest to use a 50/50 combination of butter and oil instead of replacing the butter completely. This way you'll get the added moisture from the oil without sacrificing the structural integrity that butter provides.

Why does my lemon cake taste bitter? ›

One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.

Why is my lemon cake raw in the middle? ›

When a cake is wet in the middle it is because the edges have cooked faster than the centre. This happens because of the way the cake cooks naturally in the tin – the sides of the cake tin heat up first.

Why did my lemon cake collapse? ›

The pan is too small. There's too much liquid. Opening the oven or moving pans during baking. Oven temperature is too low, or cake isn't baked long enough.

Which part of the lemon provides the most flavor? ›

If you're baking a lemon loaf or citrusy crinkle cookies, you'll get the most concentrated citrus flavor by adding lemon zest to the mix. While lemon juice adds an acidic punch to salad dressings and countless other dishes, lemon zest holds all the fruit's fragrant, floral notes.

What cancels out lemon flavor? ›

One of the easiest ways to cut the lemon taste is to balance it with sweetness. Adding a touch of sugar or sweetener can help neutralize the acidity and bring out the natural flavors of lemon. You can try adding a teaspoon of honey, agave syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to your lemon-infused dishes or drinks.

Why do people like lemon cake? ›

With their tangy and refreshing flavour, lemons have been used to enhance the taste of dishes ranging from savoury to sweet. One particular lemon-infused dessert that has stood the test of time is lemon cake. This delightful treat has become a beloved classic, known for its moist texture and zesty flavour.

Can I add lemon juice to box cake mix? ›

In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix and pudding mix. Add water, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and eggs and whisk to combine. Pour into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with a few crumbs attached, about 40 minutes.

What happens when lemon juice is mixed with baking? ›

When baking powder is mixed with lemon juice, bubbles formed because of evolution of carbon dioxide gas. This is a chemical change, because in this reaction new substances are formed.

Why is lemon juice added to cake? ›

Lemon is used to provide its unique flavor to a variety of cakes, including bundt, angel food or white cakes. However, lemon cake commonly refers to loaf cake with a tighter grain and more elastic crumb, much like a pound cake.

What is the purpose of lemon juice in baking? ›

To balance flavors: Lemon juice can play a great balancing role in baked goods. We sometimes use it in our cookies to balance out a sweet flavor profile. For instance, our CAVA Apricot Cookies contain a small amount of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the honey-flavored cookie dough.

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