Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake Recipe
Introduction
This Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is a delightful treat that balances bright lemon flavor with a tender crumb and a sweet glaze. Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make yet impressive in taste and appearance.

Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounce) yellow cake mix
- 1 box (3.4 ounce) lemon instant pudding mix
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
For the glaze
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and generously spray a bundt pan with cooking spray; set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the yellow cake mix, lemon pudding mix, and poppy seeds until combined.
- Step 3: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Step 4: Use an electric mixer to blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake on the center rack for 40-45 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Cool the cake in the bundt pan on a cooling rack for about 45 minutes before removing it.
- Step 7: To remove the cake, place a cooling rack or large plate over the bundt pan and carefully invert the cake onto it.
- Step 8: Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
- Step 9: In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners sugar and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth.
- Step 10: Gradually add more lemon juice as needed until the glaze is thick but pourable. If it becomes too thin, add more confectioners sugar to thicken.
- Step 11: Slowly pour the glaze over the cooled cake and set aside until the glaze is set.
- Step 12: Once the glaze has set, cover the cake and store it in a cool place until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For added texture, sprinkle some sliced almonds on top of the glaze before it sets.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier flavor and a slightly lighter cake.
- Try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for extra depth of flavor.
- If you prefer a stronger lemon taste, increase the zest to 1½ lemons but keep the juice the same to avoid excess liquid.
Storage
Store the glazed cake covered at room temperature or in a cool place for up to 3 days. If you keep it refrigerated, bring to room temperature before serving for best texture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds if desired.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this cake without a bundt pan?
Yes, you can bake this batter in a greased 9×13 inch pan, but reduce the baking time to about 30-35 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick.
Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day ahead and keep it covered at room temperature. Stir gently before glazing the cake to ensure smooth consistency.
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Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert combining the tangy brightness of lemon with the subtle crunch of poppy seeds. Made from a simple yellow cake mix enhanced with lemon pudding, fresh lemon zest, and juice, it’s baked to perfection in a bundt pan and finished with a sweet, tangy lemon glaze. Perfect for any occasion, this cake offers a delightful balance of citrusy zing and sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounce) yellow cake mix
- 1 box (3.4 ounce) lemon instant pudding mix
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
Glaze Ingredients
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare Pan: Generously spray a bundt pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, lemon instant pudding mix, and poppy seeds, mixing thoroughly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice into it.
- Blend Batter: Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Place it on the center rack of the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in Pan: Allow the cake to cool in the bundt pan on a cooling rack for about 45 minutes to set its shape.
- Invert Cake: Place a cooling rack or large plate on top of the bundt pan and invert it carefully to remove the cake from the pan.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely at room temperature before applying the glaze to ensure it adheres properly.
- Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth. Gradually add more lemon juice, if needed, until the glaze is thick but pourable.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: If the glaze becomes too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar to thicken it. If too thick, add a little more lemon juice to thin it out to a pourable consistency.
- Glaze Cake: Slowly pour the prepared glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to drip down the sides evenly.
- Set and Store: Set the glazed cake aside until the glaze sets. Once set, cover and store in a cool place until ready to serve.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs helps the batter mix more evenly.
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- If you don’t have lemon instant pudding mix, you can substitute with lemon zest and an extra tablespoon of lemon juice but may affect texture slightly.
- Adjust glaze thickness carefully to avoid it running off too quickly or being too thick to drizzle.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Lemon Bundt Cake, Poppy Seed Cake, Lemon Glaze Cake, Easy Cake Recipe, Bundt Cake, Citrus Cake

