Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Lemon Sheet Cake

Teresa Ambra

Lemon Sheet Cake is heavenly. Especially if you’re a connoisseur of lemon desserts. Plus, the recipe uses only 8 ingredients total–for cake plus icing! It’s incredibly easy. E-A-S-Y! The cream cheese icing on top makes this cake simply awesome in my opinion. Plus, there’s just a little dab of lemon zest sprinkled on top to make the lemony flavor pop. Yes, yes, a thousand times, YES!

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This recipe comes from one of our neighbors. I collected hundreds of her recipes a couple of years ago and I’m still busy going through them and making them. I couldn’t resist this great cake recipe. I sent it out to John’s office before the Corona Virus outbreak along with a White Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. Those cakes were scarfed down before noon. Everyone wanted a sample.

I love trying new recipes. But it’s especially pleasing when a new recipe comes out exceedingly well. Believe me, I’ve tried my share of “bombs,” through the years. That goes with the territory when trying out new recipes. Over the years, I’ve become pretty good at picking through recipes (based on the ingredients and assembly) that are sure to please. There are some that I know will never work for our family so I skip them. Others, look like they have promise but need adjustments. Still other times, you make a recipe and it’s perfect without changes. Lemon Sheet Cake is like that.

The cake part alone really intrigued me. It calls for a boxed lemon cake mix, lemon pudding and pie filling and eggs! I would never have thought that combination would make a deliciously moist cake. But it sure did.

This is a tremendously delicious dessert option for potlucks, tailgating or office parties, or special occasions. It makes a lot of servings. Plus, you can freeze parts of it, if it’s too much for your family at one time. There’s just everything to like about this easy cake recipe, and nothing to dislike. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean.

Lemon Sheet Cake |  Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Lemon Sheet Cake is amazing.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

This luscious cake is so easy to make. The cake uses only three ingredients.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Drool, baby, drool!

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Lemon Sheet Cake has triple the lemony flavor. It starts with a lemon cake mix and lemon pie filling. The icing includes lemon extract and lemon zest. Yum.

Here’s what I did.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

I used these ingredients for the cake.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Combine cake mix and eggs.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Add lemon pie filling.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Stir ingredients again to thoroughly combine. Mixture will be fluffy.

Lemon Sheet Cake |  Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Spread cake batter into a greased 12×17″ cookie sheet.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (My cake took about 40 minutes to bake completely). Allow cake to cool completely before adding icing.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

I used these ingredients for the icing.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Soften cream cheese and butter.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Add lemon extract.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Mix with electric mixer until creamy.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and blend well after each addition.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Mixture will be thick and creamy.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Spread cream cheese icing over top of cooled cake.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Sprinkle with grated lemon zest. Refrigerate.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Lemon Sheet Cake is a breeze to make.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

This cake is terrific for family reunions since it makes 48 servings.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

If you enjoy lemony desserts, you’ll love Lemon Sheet Cake.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

I sent this out to my husband’s work place and it was demolished pronto!

Here’s the recipe.

LEMON SHEET CAKE

(Recipe slightly adapted from Linda Stiles, Ovilla, TX)

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Lemon Sheet Cake

Teresa Ambra
Lemon Sheet Cake is heavenly. This fluffy, lemony cake includes a lemon cake mix and lemon pie filling in the batter. The cream cheese icing includes lemon extract and zest. It's a totally delightful lemon dessert experience that will have you drooling from the first bite. Perfect dessert for tailgating or office parties, family reunions, potlucks or special occasions like birthdays or baby showers.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 48
Calories 135 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 11x17" jelly roll pan
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

CAKE:

  • 15.25 oz. box Lemon Cake Mix
  • 22 oz. can lemon pie filling Lucky Leaf makes this
  • 4 large eggs

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp. lemon extract (or vanilla extract)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp. lemon zest or as desired

Instructions
 

CAKE:

  • Mix together cake mix and eggs.
  • Stir with a wooden spoon until no lumps remain.
  • Fold in the pie filling.
  • Spread mixture into a greased 11x17” jelly roll pan.
  • (Mixture will be very fluffy).
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely before adding icing.

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, lemon extract and butter.
  • Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, beating after each addition.
  • Beat until smooth.
  • Spread over top of cooled cake.
  • Sprinkle with lemon zest as desired.
  • Refrigerate before serving.

Notes

NOTE: My cake took about 40 minutes to bake completely.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 143IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, lemon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Adding lemon pie filling to the cake batter is a genius idea, in my opinion.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

Lemon Sheet Cake will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

This light and fluffy cake is so easy to make, it should become one of your “go-to” recipes for dessert.

Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #lemon #cake uses only 8 ingredients for the cake & the icing. It's so easy, yet has a luscious lemony taste to die for! The #CreamCheese icing is wonderful. #dessert #tailgating #LemonDessert #LemonSheetCake #Holiday #HolidayDessert

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Lemon Sheet Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Lemon Sheet Cake

Teresa Ambra
Lemon Sheet Cake is heavenly. This fluffy, lemony cake includes a lemon cake mix and lemon pie filling in the batter. The cream cheese icing includes lemon extract and zest. It’s a totally delightful lemon dessert experience that will have you drooling from the first bite. Perfect dessert for tailgating or office parties, family reunions, potlucks or special occasions like birthdays or baby showers.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 48
Calories 135 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 11×17" jelly roll pan
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

CAKE:

  • 15.25 oz. box Lemon Cake Mix
  • 22 oz. can lemon pie filling Lucky Leaf makes this
  • 4 large eggs

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp. lemon extract (or vanilla extract)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp. lemon zest or as desired

Instructions
 

CAKE:

  • Mix together cake mix and eggs.
  • Stir with a wooden spoon until no lumps remain.
  • Fold in the pie filling.
  • Spread mixture into a greased 11×17” jelly roll pan.
  • (Mixture will be very fluffy).
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely before adding icing.

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, lemon extract and butter.
  • Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, beating after each addition.
  • Beat until smooth.
  • Spread over top of cooled cake.
  • Sprinkle with lemon zest as desired.
  • Refrigerate before serving.

Notes

NOTE: My cake took about 40 minutes to bake completely.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 143IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, lemon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

2 Comments

  • Angelina

    May 22, 2020 at 11:55 am

    Absolutely lovely. Sounds easy & delicious. Your photos are beautiful, but why SO many? I’m definitely going to make this for my lemon loving family. Especially nice to serve throughout the hot summer months.

    1. Teresa

      May 22, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      Hi, Angelina. I know there’s a lot of pictures. Pinterest will no longer allow us to pin one picture to the same group food boards without targeting them as spam. In order to get them out there so people see them they want different pictures of the same item. Otherwise, it’s a no go. Their censorship and suppression of real live food blogs (not the real spam artists) is beyond annoying. This is a really easy and delicious cake. I hope you give it a try.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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