Description
Learn how adding lemon juice can transform your ordinary box cake mix into a bakery-quality dessert. This moist, zesty cake comes together effortlessly with simple tips and tricks, giving your cake a fresh homemade taste that everyone will love.
Ingredients
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1 box of vanilla, white, or yellow cake mix.
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2–3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
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Eggs, as specified on the box instructions.
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Oil or butter, as specified on the box instructions.
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Water or milk, reduced by 1–2 tablespoons to compensate for the lemon juice.
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Optional: 1–2 extra tablespoons of sugar (to balance the tartness).
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Optional: 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix box and prepare your baking pan(s).
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In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and fresh lemon juice.
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Add the dry cake mix to a large mixing bowl.
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Add the oil or butter, the adjusted water or milk, and the egg-lemon mixture to the dry ingredients.
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Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake according to the box instructions. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick — it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
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Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving.
Notes
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Start with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and adjust to taste if you prefer more tartness.
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Always use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
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Do not replace all the liquid with lemon juice; it should only replace part of the liquid ingredients.
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White and vanilla cake mixes pair best with the bright lemon flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: lemon juice box cake mix, how to improve box cake mix, zesty cake recipe, homemade taste cake mix