Got a Box of Lemon Cake Mix? Here’s What to Make With It
Got a box of lemon cake mix? Turn it into cookies, bars, pound cake, scones, gooey butter cake, and more with these easy lemon dessert ideas.
If you’ve spent much time here at Out of the Box Baking, you probably already know this about me: I love lemon. Give me a table full of desserts and there’s a very good chance I’ll be eyeing the lemon one first.
There’s just something about that bright, tart flavor that makes a dessert feel fresh and cheerful. Lemon makes me think of springtime gatherings, summer parties, bridal and baby showers, afternoon teas, and sunny days when something heavy and overly rich just doesn’t sound quite right.
So, naturally, lemon had to have its own place in my “Got a Box of Cake Mix?” series.
Because that box of lemon cake mix in your pantry? It can do a whole lot more than make a basic layer cake.
What Can I Make with a Box of Lemon Cake Mix?
Plenty! Lemon cake mix can become cookies, bars, pound cakes, poke cakes, gooey butter cakes, cupcakes, scones, cookie cups, and all sorts of other treats.
And lemon plays beautifully with other flavors. Strawberry, blueberry, coconut, cream cheese, white chocolate, lemon curd, and even pecans can take that simple box of mix in completely different directions.
If you're new to playing around with boxed mixes, you might want to visit my Ultimate Guide to Doctoring a Boxed Cake Mix. Once you understand how easy it is to change the flavor and texture of a boxed mix, a whole new world of baking opens up.
Now let's talk lemon!
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
These bright little cookies start with a box of lemon cake mix, so they're exactly the sort of recipe we're looking for! They're soft, sweet, lemony, and covered in that pretty crackled layer of powdered sugar.
This is one of the easiest ways to turn a cake mix into something that doesn't feel like cake at all.
Lemon Pound Cake
Lemon Pound Cake (Doctored Cake Mix)
A boxed mix is a terrific shortcut for pound cake because you can doctor it up until it has a richer, denser texture than an ordinary cake.
And lemon pound cake is one of those desserts that works almost anywhere. Serve it at brunch, take it to a gathering, or slice off a little piece to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
Easy Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
Oh, this one. If you need proof that I tend toward lemon desserts, here you go!
A buttery lemon cake-mix base is topped with a luscious lemon-cream-cheese layer, giving you crisp, chewy edges and a softer, almost brownie-like center. It's ridiculously simple and ridiculously good.
Lemon Coconut Bars
Lemon and coconut are such a lovely combination, particularly when you want something that feels light, bright, and summery.
These easy bars start with cake mix and transform it into a completely different kind of dessert. This is exactly why I love keeping boxed mixes in the pantry!
Luscious Lemon Blueberry Bars
Lemon and blueberry were simply made for each other. The tartness of the lemon wakes up those sweet berries and gives you a dessert that's bursting with fresh flavor.
These bars are another great example of how easily a box of cake mix can become something besides cake.
Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies
Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies
If plain lemon is delicious, strawberry lemonade is downright fun. These pretty crinkle cookies combine those two bright flavors in cookie form.
They're especially cute for spring and summer parties, showers, tea parties, or anytime you want something colorful on the dessert table.
Strawberry Lemonade Cake
Here's another way to pair lemon cake mix with strawberry. The two flavors play off each other beautifully, giving you the sweetness of strawberry with that little lemony zing I love so much.
And just look at those colors! This one practically announces that warmer, sunnier days have arrived.
What About Scones?
Absolutely! Cake mix isn't just for cakes and cookies. It's a handy starting point for scones, too.
Learn how to make tender, bakery-style scones from cake mix with this easy doctored recipe. A quick, foolproof method that turns boxed cake mix into delicious homemade scones. Lemon cake mix can easily be used to create a bright lemon scone—especially with a simple lemon glaze.
Turn Lemon Cake Mix into Cookie Cups
Lemon Shortbread Cookie Cups with Marshmallow Filling
My original lemon shortbread cookie cups don't begin with cake mix, but this idea is begging for a cake-mix shortcut.
Use your favorite cake-mix cookie method with lemon cake mix, bake the dough in a mini muffin pan, make an indentation while the cups are still warm, and fill them once cooled. Lemon curd, cream cheese filling, marshmallow filling, or even a strawberry filling would all be delicious.
More Strawberry Lemonade Possibilities
Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Cake
I have a real fondness for strawberry-lemonade desserts, and many of those ideas can inspire something new from a lemon cake mix.
Think lemon cake layers with strawberry filling, lemon cake-mix cookies with strawberry frosting, strawberry-lemon cake balls, or even little lemon cupcakes topped with strawberry buttercream. Once you start combining those two flavors, it's hard to stop!
Lemon, Coconut, and Pecans
Lemon Coconut Loaf with Pecans
This loaf is another source of inspiration if you're wondering how to dress up a simple lemon mix. Coconut and pecans add texture and richness while still allowing that bright lemon flavor to shine.
You could use the same flavor combination in a doctored lemon cake-mix loaf, Bundt cake, muffins, or even cookies.
Could I Make Lemon Muffins from Cake Mix?
You sure can. Cake mix makes a terrific shortcut for muffins, and lemon gives you a great base for all sorts of additions.
Blueberries would be my first thought, but raspberries, white chocolate chips, coconut, or a sweet cream cheese filling would also work beautifully. You can browse my Cake Mix Muffins for more ideas and techniques.
Lemon Cake Mix Makes Great Dessert Bars, Too
If you've followed me for any length of time, you know how much I love turning cake mixes into bars. Lemon is particularly good for this because the tart flavor helps balance rich ingredients like butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
I've already given you several lemon bar ideas above, but don't stop there. Take a look through my Cake Mix Bars and Brownies and imagine some of those same techniques with lemon cake mix.
More Lemon Desserts to Inspire You
Not every lemon dessert on this site begins with cake mix, but that doesn't mean we can't borrow an idea or two!
My Favorite Lemon Desserts collection is packed with lemon inspiration. You can also check out my Triple Lemon Poke Cake, Lemon Yogurt Cake, and Lemon High Tea Cookies for even more ways to play with my favorite citrus flavor.
And if bite-sized treats are your thing, these Lemon Oreo Truffles might inspire a batch of lemon cake balls made from a baked lemon cake mix.
Got Another Box of Cake Mix?
This is becoming one of my favorite little experiments here at Out of the Box Baking: taking an ordinary box of cake mix and asking, "Okay, what else can I make with this?"
We've already tackled several of the classics. White Cake Mix, Yellow Cake Mix, Spice Cake Mix, and Chocolate Cake Mix. Check out these other collections for even more ways to put those boxes in your pantry to work!”
And if you'd rather browse everything at once, head over to my 80+ Boxed Cake Mix Recipes. You'll find plenty of ideas there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute lemon cake mix for yellow or white cake mix?
Often, yes. If the other flavors in the recipe work well with lemon, it's one of the easiest ways to transform a familiar cake-mix recipe. Just remember that lemon cake mix brings its own distinct flavor, so think about how it will pair with the remaining ingredients.
What flavors go best with lemon cake mix?
Strawberry and blueberry are two of my favorites, but lemon also works beautifully with raspberry, coconut, cream cheese, white chocolate, vanilla, and lemon curd. And don't overlook nuts! Pecans add wonderful flavor and texture.
Can I make cookies from lemon cake mix?
Absolutely. Lemon crinkle cookies are proof! Cake-mix cookies are one of the simplest ways to turn a box of mix into something completely different.
Can I make lemon cake-mix bars?
Yes, and lemon is particularly well suited to dessert bars. Pair it with butter, cream cheese, coconut, berries, or a gooey filling and you've got all sorts of possibilities.
Can I use lemon cake mix for muffins or quick breads?
You can. A doctored cake mix can be adjusted for muffins, loaves, and other breakfast or brunch treats. Lemon-blueberry would be an especially easy place to start.
Other Cake Mix Recipes
If this post has you looking through your pantry to see what other boxes you've forgotten about, welcome to my world!
I've spent years experimenting with boxed mixes and turning them into cookies, bars, muffins, breads, pound cakes, cupcakes, and desserts that bear very little resemblance to the picture on the front of the box. That's the fun of it.
A box of cake mix isn't necessarily a recipe.
Sometimes it's just an ingredient waiting for an idea.
Thanks for Stopping By!
I hope this collection has given you plenty of inspiration for that box of lemon cake mix in your pantry. Whether you turn it into crinkle cookies, a luscious pound cake, gooey butter bars, strawberry-lemonade treats, or something completely new, I hope you have fun experimenting.
And if you come up with another great use for lemon cake mix, let me know. Around here, I'm always willing to conduct a little more lemon research. 🍋
Before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards.
