Meyer lemons. If you've never had one then you are missing out. These are a fruit that is a hybrid between two citruses: lemons and mandarin oranges. So they aren't quite as acidic as most lemons and are best saved for sweet applications. If you are looking for the fruit then you'll see them appear mostly from November to January. However, this product likes to make its debut when they aren't in season. And that is ok in my books.
Memorial Day has come and gone. What did I bring to my Mom's BBQ? Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake. If someone is taking care of dinner, it is only fair to bring dessert right? If you are heading to a BBQ this summer, then you might want to keep a box of this on the shelf. Let me explain.
Meyer lemons are a really fun and interesting fruit. They aren't available year-round sadly. They seem to be available from November to about March. They make for some amazing baked goods or even in iced desserts. They don't seem to be ideal for squeezing over say seafood because as they taste like a mix of lemon and a mandarin orange.
When I saw this I got a bit excited. Best of all, there are minimal ingredients required to make this. Butter, water, and an egg are all that is required in making this.
Most of the time is truly inactive. You'll spend about 5-10 minutes in actually getting this ready, but most of the time will be spent either baking or cooling this.
The end result is a moist, tender, and citrusy cake. It has a soft texture with sprinklings of orange and lemon peel to reflect the natural flavor of a Meyer lemon.
The icing is just as simple. Mine only needed a tablespoon of water. If you want a thinner frosting, then yes, add extra. What is pictured on the box looks more like a glaze than the icing that I got from the package.
How do you know if something you brought is a success at a party? When you don't have leftovers. And everyone around the table has cleaned their dessert plates.
For $3.29 this is reasonably priced and a worthy item to keep on your shelves. Just keep in mind this is a seasonal item on Trader Joe's shelves.
Here is the visual rundown of what you get if you buy this product:
The box of Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
Out of the package you get two packages: one icing, one mix:
Before going into the oven (and yes, parchment paper will prevent you from scrubbing those corners of a loaf pan):
After being cooked you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing again. It seemed to be a hit with the crowd that I brought it to.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
The Bottom Line
Don’t forget to share your thoughts by going to the “user review” at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I’m up to.
Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing
Product Name: Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing
Product Description: Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing is a returning seasonal favorite cake.
Price: $3.29
Summary
Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix is a seasonal favorite on store shelves.
Pros
- Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing is a very well done seasonal cake mix variety.
Cons
- This is seasonal.
judilyn says
Lemon . . . NOW you're talkin'! Fifteen years in the Bay Area, and I never really tasted a Meyer Lemon, although there was a lot of talk about them. We'll be visiting the local Trader Joe's in mid-June, so I'll surely be on the lookout for it in our store. This sounds really good. We don't eat much in the way of sweets, but this looks very appealing.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
Hey Judie! I can't wait to hear about your trip to the Bay Area. I haven't been there in quite some time. You'll be posting about it on your blog correct? Can't wait to hear your thoughts! Thanks as always for stopping by!
judilyn says
We’re not going to California. I meant our local Trader Joe’s here in Arizona. Bay Area was not attractive to us at all by the time we moved away for good in 1998.
Dag says
I saw this on the shelf last weekend & was wondering about it. Glad to see you reviewed it! I might buy it and make cupcakes out of it. And maybe turn that icing into cream cheese frosting with some added lemon juice or crystallized TrueLemon.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! This as cupcakes would really work. Someone on instagram suggested using lemon juice instead of water for the icing to make it more lemon flavored. I'd love to hear how yours turn out! Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by and share what you are up to.
Dag says
Lol... I always have so many ideas. But I think I will follow through with this one. I even thought about doing mini cupcakes and putting a big plump raspberry in the middle of the batter. I think I remember that if you use frozen, don't thaw and roll it in cornstarch first it won't bleed out into the batter and will remain relatively whole. Don't quote me on that I need to look at back up again. If I do do this I will definitely take a pic and share.
becomebetty says
Those sound like they would be amazingly photogenic. I think I've done something similar with blueberry muffins and using cornstarch to avoid having them discolor everything they touch. Can't wait to hear how yours turn out!
Dag says
I am determined to make them this weekend so I'll let you know. I will also take pics if they turn out well that is lol.
becomebetty says
No problem. Can't wait to see!
Rachel Click says
Did you glaze this immediately before serving? Also, how would I know if I need 1 va 2 tbsp Water for the icing?😬did you choose to ice all over top instead of the box image of drizzle? Lastly, just made this and mines been cooking on stovetop for about 50 minutes now. Will have a piece with my husband after dinner several hours from now soooo, hence my first question of should I glaze now or immediately before serving? Thank you for your great page!
becomebetty says
Hey Rachel! I'm not sure where you are but I'm in humid NY. So 1TBSP got my frosting but 2 TBSP will get you closer to a glaze. If you are going the glaze route then I would suggest waiting until right before you serve where icing isn't quite as moist. I chose to do the 1 tbsp just to see how it was before diluting it too much. With frosting you'll need a knife to spread it and a glaze you'll be able to drizzle a bit more. Do 1 tbsp and give it a quick taste to see if you like as is. Thanks for stopping by and hope that helps!
MARGARET says
Baked it several times and always came out very densed and gummy. I followed the directions to the latter without much success. Also spoke to several people that concurred with my statement. Will never buy this product again.
becomebetty says
Hey Margaret! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. Just out of curiosity, which part was gummy?
Lita poppenberg says
good morning.. I love this Mix Can I turn this into cupcakes?
becomebetty says
Hey Lita! I don't see why you couldn't. Just adjust the cooking time and you should be fine.
Lita poppenberg says
You are so gracious and thoughtful to reply.. thanks so much.....I make the TJ brownie mix into cookies but add Pecans and amaretto extract...Always well received.. but very careful not to overcook... have a great weekend lita
becomebetty says
Have a great weekend too Lita! I'd love to hear how these turn out for you!
Linda says
Has anyone doubled the recipe and baked it in a bundt pan? I'm sure you would need to add time to baking, but it would look very pretty!
becomebetty says
Hey Linda! I have not doubled this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I would mix the two cakes mixes at the same time. In a bundt pan that would probably make the baking time closer to 55 minutes (give or take). Let me know how it turns out!
Cori says
I just made this in a bundt pan and one package worked out perfectly. It doesn't quite fill the whole pan but it raised while baking and it looks great! I cooked it approx. 40 minutes. I love Trader Joes' mixes. The pumpkin bread (with added chocolate chips) is my kids favorite in the fall and this Lemon is perfect for spring and summer cookouts and gatherings.
becomebetty says
Hey Cori! Thanks so much for sharing this especially the cooking time. I love the pumpkin bread too. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to share your experience with it!