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Lemon Poke Cake with fresh lemons as garnish.

Lemon Poke Cake

Lemon Poke Cake is a chilled dessert made in a 9X13 pan with lemon boxed cake mix. It has a moist, tender texture and a creamy punch of lemon curd pudding throughout.
Servings: 12 servings
Chef Alli
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling and Chilling Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 40 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 15.25 ounce box Duncan Hines Lemon Cake Mix Plus the ingredients required to make the cake according to package directions
  • 3.4 ounce package instant lemon pudding I used Jell-o Brand
  • 1 cup milk I used 2%
  • 11 ounce jar lemon curd
  • 8 ounce frozen whipped topping such as Cool Whip, thawed
  • 2 medium lemons, zest of optional, but recommended
  • 1 medium lemon sliced thinly, for garnishing the top of the cake or for garnishing each piece as it is served

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch pan and bake as directed, approximately 25 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    15.25 ounce box Duncan Hines Lemon Cake Mix
  • Immediately cover the cake pan with foil and let the cake cool while covered. Once fully cooled, use the tip of a round wooden spoon handle to poke holes all over the top of the cake in 1-inch intervals.
  • While the cake the cake is cooling, combine the pudding mix, milk and lemon curd in a medium mixing bowl, gently mixing until smooth.
    3.4 ounce package instant lemon pudding, 1 cup milk, 11 ounce jar lemon curd
  • Transfer the pudding mixture to the cooled cake, spreading it out evenly over the top of the cake, pressing down gently to be sure it sinks down into all of the holes.
  • Spread the whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer, then use your fingers to sprinkle the lemon zest over the whipped topping.
    8 ounce frozen whipped topping, 2 medium lemons, zest of
  • Refrigerate overnight or for 8-10 hours. Garnish with sliced lemons before serving, if desired.
    1 medium lemon
  • Lemon Poke Cake is always best served well chilled.

Notes

  1. This cake is also very pretty when garnished with strawberries or blueberries.
  2. Use a lemon zester to gather the zest to make the task super quick and easy. Run the zester over the exterior of the lemon, removing only the bright part of the zest.
  3. For a fun twist, use a strawberry cake mix instead of lemon. The lemon curd pudding (custard) makes a pretty constrast to the pink cake and the flavors are delicious. Garnish with fresh chopped strawberries on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 403mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 51IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 1mg
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