Name: Lemon Pound Cake (Starbucks Copy Cat)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 15.25 oz Package Lemon Cake Mix; 1 3.4 oz Box Instant Lemon Pudding Mix; 1 cup Sour cream; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 4 eggs; 1/2 cup water; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 cup powdered sugar; 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice

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Want the Starbucks Lemon Pound Cake without the Starbucks prices? This recipe is an easy and affordable way to get the lemon cake you love from a box cake mix!

This bright and sweet lemon pound cake is just like one you’d find at Starbucks. Made in just under an hour! It’s perfect for birthdays, tea parties, or a sweet treat any time of the day.

The best part of making this yourself? Your home smells delicious, and this recipe makes two, whole loafs!

sliced lemon loaf bread recipe with glaze drizzled on top

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Pound Cake Recipe

Who doesn’t love lemons? They are fresh, sunny and in season all year! It seems like many recipes call for a little lemon zest, lemon juice, or are served with a side of lemon. Lemon completes everything with a little extra “zing!” One of my favorite ways to treat myself at Starbucks is to get a warmed, lemon pound cake slice.

The only problem? Starbucks can become an expensive treat for lemon cake lovers. This recipe utilizes a couple of box cake mixes which is going to save you time and money without sacrificing any flavor!

Looking to save a little extra money? Try this Homemade cake mix recipe instead of buying another box! It’s one of the best ways for how to make a box cake mix taste better!

Looking for more Starbucks copycat recipes? Try these Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites!

Ingredients:

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Lemon Cake Mix– Using a boxed cake mix makes this recipe a breeze!
Instant Lemon Pudding Mix – Make sure that you use Instant Pudding!
Sour Cream – This is the secret ingredient that adds so much moisture!
Vegetable Oil – You can also use coconut oil.
Eggs – Adding eggs is a must as it’s the binding agent to hold everything together.
Water
Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice is such a great addition!
Powdered Sugar – You’ll be using this for the glaze!

How To Make Lemon Pound Cake:

Step 1: Mix

Mix together your packaged mixes, sour cream, veggie oil, eggs, water, and two tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl for 1-2 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 2: Pour

Pour half your batter into greased and floured 9×5 in loaf pans.

Step 3: Bake

Bake the loaves for 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

Step 4: Cool

Let it cool for 30 minutes and remove it from the pan.

Step 5: Make the glaze

Mix and drizzle your cup of powdered sugar and 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice to glaze your cake.

Serve and Enjoy!

Tips + Variations:

Make it Vegan:

Use these two simple substitutions:

1 egg = 1/4 cup of applesauce
Substitute sour cream for equal parts full fat coconut milk. Let it refrigerate overnight for the same consistency. I recommend canned brands like That Kitchen!
You can find many cake mixes that don’t have any powdered dairy in them, such as Betty Crocker!

And voila! It’s Vegan!

How can I add more lemon flavor?

If you want to add in some lemon zest, go for it! This is a great way to add some fresh lemon flavor.

How do you zest a lemon?

The easiest way to zest a lemon is to use a zester. Start on one side of the lemon and then rub the zester back and forth. You want to only zest off the yellow part – if any white starts showing, it’s time to spin the lemon and zest in another location.