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!
A CREAMY CAKE FOR LEMON LOVERS
This lemon cake has quickly become one of my favorites (and a favorite of my co-workers!) 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 then this is the one for you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
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 if you want lemon overload, go for it! 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!
Yes! 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You bet and I think this would be a good one to freeze and enjoy later! 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?
- 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 2012
Updated photos & republished: April 2024
Lemon Dream Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- ingredients needed to make cake: eggs, oil & water (according to the back of the cake mix box)
- 1 can lemon pie filling
- 16 ounce tub lemon flavored frosting
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP) thawed
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Girl, you know I love me anything lemon! Can't wait to try this. Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM
Would you recommend using cool whip and a lemon pudding for a Frosting?
I think that would work. Next time I will try with pudding.
This looks perfect! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
This looks so darn good…I can't wait to make one..First I ever seen like it…thank you..with love Janice
This is gorgeous. Makes me want to run right into the kitchen and make one.
Wonderful cake, the flavors are so smooth and subtle. Love it.
Yum! Pinned and printed :-). Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to comment! I want you to know that I do read every single one! And I appreciate them so much!
I am making this now but ran into a problem and would like your opinion. I don’t have the lemon frosting in s can do I’m wondering if I can add a package of jello lemon pudding and pie filling mix to the cool whip?
Hi Linda, you can definitely do that. Is it instant or cook and serve pudding? If it is instant, just add ONE cup of cold milk to the pudding mix and whisk well. Then stir in an 8 oz. container of thawed COOL WHIP. Then spread cake and keep cake refrigerated. Hope that helps! 🙂
I made a terrible mistake on this cake. I put the cake in the oven before I added the lemon about 7 min into baking I thought of it and added it then. prayed over it before I put it back into the oven . Waiting now to see how it comes out ….what are my chances ?
How did it turn out? probably fine…
can you use real whipped cream?
Wow does that look fantastic. I know my lemon loving husband would adore this one. Thanks for always making and sharing wonderful food.
Love your site. This looks irresistible! I can't wait to try it.
Oh I love putting the lemon filling in this…. this looks so amazing! I know my hubs-to-be would be obsessed with this since he is such a lemon fanatic!
I am drooling over this cake! I love lemon, and this looks like a perfect summer treat. Can't wait to try it!!!
To either Cynthia or Brandie.. do you think pumpkin pie filling at the bottom and a spice cake mix from a box could work? I wouldn't want to combine together with a mixer as I read in another recipe. Cynthia's version is what I'd like to try if you think it would be a good go 🙂
I do a pumpkin dump cake for the holidays you need to make the pumpkin pie filling as for pumpkin pie put that in a 9×13 pan dump a box of spice cake on top and them drizzle 1 cup of butter over the top. You can also add nuts if desired. bake aprox 40 minutes then serve with ice cream or cool whip…
Hah! I was thinking the same thing! And cream cheese frosting mixed with the cool whip. Sounds great for fall
It is cooling off now after dinner I will make the frosting and frost it–I will let you know what I think…but I love anything lemon!!!
I’ve made this cake several times and it’s become a family favorite. Getting ready to make it now to serve after dinner tomorrow. Have also taken it to a potluck at work and received rave reviews. Kudos to you for sharing this wonderful recipe!,
Yummy for lemon!
WOW oh WOW! This sounds sooo delicious…and easy too. Perfect! How sweet of you to share a reader's recipe Brandie…it's no wonder you are so loved!!!
My daughter loves anything lemon…I will have to try this soon, it sounds delicious and so easy!
Goodness that sounds so good Brandi. That was sweet to share a reader recipe. I love doing that from time to time. My daughter would love this because she likes anything lemon.
I am so loving all of your cake recipes. This one is now added to my list, right after I finish your Oreo Cookie Cream Poke Cake… keep 'em comin'!
This looks simply delicious!
That looks awesome! I printed it and will be trying it! Sounds like a very "refreshing" recipe for summer! Mindy
Mmm…maybe good with blueberries on it? I think I'm making it today! Thanks!
Yum that looks great!
Brandie,
Lemons and summer go together perfectly. I love all of the lemon flavors in this cake! Beautiful pics.
Have a safe and Happy 4th!
I am a huge lemon fan! Anything lemon is good in my book. Thank you to both Cynthia and Brandie! I cannot get over how amazing this looks. Will definitely be making soon and will update on how it turns out (: have a great fourth of July!
Has anyone made this cake using the lemon cake mix and the lemon filling instead of a vanilla cake mix?
Yes. I use lemon all the time….you will not be disappointed! Yum
Used Lemon cake mix, delicious!