Description

This Easy Lemon 7-Up Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that combines the refreshing zest of lemon with the light fizz of lemon-lime soda. Perfect for gatherings or a simple sweet treat, it can be made from scratch or using a box cake mix for convenience. Finished with a tangy lemon glaze, this cake offers a delightful balance of sweet and citrusy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

From Scratch Ingredients:

5 eggs
3 cups flour
3/4 lb butter, softened (3 sticks)
3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh or extract)
3/4 cup carbonated lemon-lime beverage (any brand)

Box Cake Mix Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 – 4 ounce box instant lemon pudding mix
3/4 cup carbonated lemon-lime soda (any brand)

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon milk

Instructions

Prepare the Batter (From Scratch): Cream the softened butter and sugar together for about 10 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add flour and lemon juice or extract, mixing to combine. Gently fold in the lemon-lime soda to keep the batter light and airy.
Prepare the Batter (Box Cake Mix): Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease a 12-cup Bundt pan. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, instant lemon pudding mix, and lemon-lime soda. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
Bake the Cake: For the from-scratch batter, pour into the greased Bundt pan and bake at 325°F for 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For the box mix batter, pour into the greased pan and bake at 325°F for 45 to 55 minutes, or until set and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the glaze won’t melt when applied.
Make and Apply Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake for a shiny, tangy finish.
Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cake and serve as a delightful dessert or snack with a bright lemony flavor enhanced by the soda’s subtle fizz.

Notes

Using lemon extract will give a stronger lemon flavor compared to fresh lemon juice.
The lemon-lime soda helps create a light and moist texture in the cake.
Ensure the cake is completely cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
You can substitute the lemon-lime soda with a sugar-free version for lower sugar content, though it may affect sweetness.
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
This recipe is easily doubled or halved depending on the size of your baking pan.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (from scratch), 55 minutes (box mix)
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon cake, 7-Up cake, lemon dessert, citrus cake, bundt cake, easy cake recipe, from scratch cake, box mix lemon cake, lemon glaze