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Creamy Lemon Poke Cake Recipe Easy Zesty Citrus Glaze Dessert

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A quick and easy creamy lemon poke cake with a tangy citrus glaze, perfect for any occasion. This moist cake features a luscious lemon pudding filling soaked into the cake and topped with a zesty glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz / 432 g) – Betty Crocker recommended
  • 1 cup water (240 ml)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
  • 1 box (3.4 oz / 96 g) lemon instant pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk (480 ml)
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g), sifted
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g) for glaze
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (30–45 ml), strained
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra zing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and lemon zest. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
  3. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to keep it moist.
  4. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake about 1 inch apart.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon pudding mix, cold milk, softened cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
  6. Spoon the creamy lemon pudding mixture evenly over the poked cake, pressing gently to help it seep into the holes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the pudding set.
  7. Whisk the powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed. Stir in optional lemon zest for extra brightness.
  8. Drizzle the zesty citrus glaze over the chilled cake just before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

Do not skip the poking step to allow pudding to soak in for moist texture. Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth batter and filling. Beat cake batter just until combined to avoid dense cake. Chill cake well for best flavor and pudding set. Adjust glaze consistency carefully. Use fresh lemons for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free cake mix.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon poke cake, creamy lemon cake, citrus glaze, easy dessert, lemon pudding cake, poke cake recipe, zesty lemon dessert

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/creamy-lemon-poke-cake-recipe-easy-zesty-citrus-glaze-dessert/