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Lemon Dream Cake
Easy Lemon Dream Cake starts with a boxed cake mix swirled with lemon pie filling. All topped with a creamy‚ lemony whipped topping&;#33;
A CREAMY CAKE FOR LEMON LOVERS
This lemon cake has quickly become one of my favorites (and a favorite of my co-workers&;#33;) My co-workers are often my guinea pigs for new recipes. This recipe is definitely for those who love lemon desserts. It is so easy to make but looks like you spent hours making it. If you want a fun new lemon recipe‚ try making this Lemon Dream Cake&;#33;
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
Can I make this with a different cake flavor&;#63; You can use yellow‚ white or even a lemon cake mix. I think‚ however‚ the lemon cake mix would just be a bit too much but of you want lemon overload‚ go for it&;#33; I think you could maybe even use strawberry for a strawberry lemonade type effect. You could even make this with homemade cake mix if you wanted to. Looking for a homemade white cake mix or a yellow cake mix– I have you covered. The whole thing about this cake is convenience and ease‚ but if you have the time and energy to make a cake from scratch‚ go for it&;#33; Could I use a different pie filling&;#63; Yes&;#33; You can use whatever pie filling you think would work well with these flavors. I think a blueberry pie filing would be delicious with a lemon cake mix. Lemon and blueberry work really well together. Is the frosting necessary&;#63; While I love the frosting combination‚ if you want to make this a little lighter‚ you can. It’s super easy to change it up a bit‚ just don’t use the lemon frosting in the topping. It can just be the Cool Whip. Or you can add in a teaspoon of lemon extract to the Cool Whip and stir and just spread that on the cake. Can I use lemon curd instead&;#63; Sure thing. Lemon curd would be great in this Lemon Dream Cake. It won’t be as much since lemon pie filling comes in larger amounts than lemon curd but it will still work. You can also mix lemon curd in with the Cool Whip instead of the lemon frosting. Can I make this in round cake pans and layer them&;#63; We had a reader ask this‚ and I figured it’s worth mentioning in here too so you don’t miss the info. I wouldn’t recommend this since this cake can be a bit heavy and I don’t think the layers with the frosting and Cool Whip would hold up well. That being said‚ if that’s something you want to try‚ you could… just know that I haven’t tested it that way and don’t think it’s an easy swap to make. What to do with leftover cake&;#63; Any leftover Lemon Dream Cake needs to be refrigerated‚ especially because of the frosting with the Cool Whip. When you aren’t serving this cake‚ it needs to be kept in the fridge too. So‚ leftover cake should be covered or placed in an airtight container and can be stored for up to 4 days. As time goes on‚ the cake will start to change texture from the frosting and pie filling. So‚ the sooner you can eat it‚ the better. Can I freeze this cake&;#63; You bet and I think this would be a good one to freeze and enjoy later&;#33; Freeze it appropriately and enjoy within 2-3 months of freezing.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
vanilla cake mix – see my FAQ’s above about different flavors you can use.
ingredients needed to make cake (eggs‚ oil and water)- quantities and required ingredients may vary depending on your cake mix brand. I also think you can go with sugar free options where possible.
lemon pie filling – you can use the whole can of filling or just a little. This is all up to you and how lemon-y you want to go with this. I use all of it.
lemon frosting – if you don’t want so much lemon‚ you could use a vanilla or white frosting.
whipped topping – most commonly people use Cool Whip‚ but the store brand works just fine here.
HOW TO MAKE LEMON DREAM CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare cake mix as directed on the back of the box. Pour batter into baking dish. Place spoonfuls of lemon pie filling all over the batter. Take a knife and swirl it all around to help evenly distribute it better.
Note: The lemon pie filling is heavier than the cake batter. So it will sink to the bottom of the cake as it is cooking. Don’t worry‚ it won’t burn. This is normal.
Bake at 350F degrees (in center rack) for about 35-40 minutes. Until it springs back to the touch and isn’t jiggly in the center. Let cake cool completely before proceeding to the next step. In a bowl‚ combine lemon frosting with whipped topping. Mix until thoroughly combined. Spread frosting over cooled cake.
Refrigerate until chilled and keep any leftovers refrigerated. Serve and enjoy.
CRAVING MORE LEMON RECIPES&;#63;
Classic Lemon Bars
Starbucks Lemon Loaf
Lemon Layer Cake
Lemon Lava Cake
Lemon Drop Cake
Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake
3-Ingredient Lemon Crumble Bars
Lemon Poke Cake
Lemon Icebox Cake
Lemon Magic Cake
Originally published: July 2012Updated photos &; republished: April 2024
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Lemon Dream Cake
Easy Lemon Dream Cake starts with a boxed cake mix swirled with lemon pie filling. All topped with a creamy‚ lemony whipped topping&;#33;
Course DessertCuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 40 minutes minutesTotal Time 50 minutes minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 401kcal
Author Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ingredients1 box vanilla cake mixingredients needed to make cake: eggs‚ oil &; water (according to the back of the cake mix box)1 can lemon pie filling16 ounce tub lemon flavored frosting8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP) thawed
InstructionsPreheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.Prepare cake mix as directed on the back of the box. Pour batter into baking dish. Place spoonfuls of lemon pie filling all over the batter. Take a knife and swirl it all around to help evenly distribute it better. Bake at 350F degrees (in center rack) for about 35-40 minutes until cake springs back to the touch and isn’t jiggly in the center. Let cake cool completely before proceeding to the next step.In a bowl‚ combine lemon flavored frosting with whipped topping. Mix until thoroughly combined. Spread frosting over cooled cake. Slice and serve or place in the refrigerator to chill slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
NutritionCalories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 453mg | Sugar: 54g