Trader Joe's cake mixes are hit or miss-but when lemon is involved, I'm always curious. The Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing, priced at $3.99, comes with everything you need to whip up a bright and citrusy dessert without much effort. If you love lemon desserts but don't want to squeeze or zest anything yourself, this could be your shortcut to sunshine in cake form.
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Review
I've baked my way through quite a few Trader Joe's mixes, and this one ranks near the top for ease, flavor, and overall satisfaction. What stood out immediately was how strong the lemon scent was right out of the oven-it smelled fresh, like real citrus, not artificial flavoring.
The cake itself is moist and tender with a noticeable Meyer lemon flavor. It's more mellow and sweet than your average lemon cake, which makes sense-Meyer lemons are naturally less tart and have a bit of an orange-like softness to them. The texture is fluffy but not dry, and it baked evenly in the time suggested on the box.
Now let's talk icing. It comes as a powder packet that you mix with butter and water, and it delivers a sweet, slightly tangy finish. I personally found the icing a little sweet for my taste, but it balances out well with the lemony cake. You can adjust how thick you want it, or even use a little less if you prefer something lighter.
I loved how versatile this mix is. You can bake it in a loaf pan, turn it into muffins, or even make a lemon poke cake by adding a glaze or lemon curd drizzle. It's a great option for spring and summer entertaining-or anytime you want something a little sunnier. You can also add berries for a refreshing twist.
What's Included
- 1 package of lemon cake mix
- 1 packet of powdered lemon icing
You'll need to add:
- 1 stick (½ cup) of butter
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup water
FAQs about Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing
The following are commonly asked questions:
No-Meyer lemons are naturally sweeter and milder than regular lemons, so the flavor is more delicate than sharp.
Yes, and honestly, it tastes great plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Absolutely! Blueberries, white chocolate chips, or poppy seeds would all work beautifully.
While it often shows up in spring or early summer, it may not be available year-round.
You can find it in stores in early summer or through third-party sellers on Amazon.com
How to Prepare
Enjoy as-is, or customize with lemon zest or berries.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
- Combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and water until smooth.
- Pour into the pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.
- Let it cool before mixing and drizzling the icing over the top.
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:
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing is one of those products that makes you feel like a better baker without much effort. It's fresh, flavorful, and flexible enough to dress up or enjoy as-is. While the icing might be a bit sweet for some, the cake itself delivers on texture and taste. If you love lemon, you'll want to stock up while it's around.
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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: $3.49
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix is a seasonal favorite on store shelves.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Bright citrus flavor: Real Meyer lemon taste comes through
- Easy to make: Just mix, bake, and drizzle
- Moist texture: Bakes up tender and evenly
- Customizable: Works with add-ins, toppings, or in muffin form
- Great price: Only $3.49 for a full dessert
Cons
- Icing is very sweet: May be too sugary for some palates
- Limited availability: Not always in stock year-round
- Only one pan option listed: Could benefit from muffin or bundt pan directions
- Not gluten-free: Contains wheat and dairy ingredients
Susan M. says
I had the same problem as Margaret. Made it twice just to make sure I followed it right. Cake was very heavy and gummy on the bottom. I sampled it at the store and theirs was heavy too, but cooked all through, however, I noticed they used a square, shallow pan. Have not seen it on the shelves lately.
becomebetty says
Hey Susan! Just out of curiosity, what type of pan did you use? I used a non-stick loaf pan. I know this item is seasonal and comes and goes with the seasons. I'd love to hear what you used to see if that maybe had some sort of impact on it. Thanks again for stopping by!
Susan M. says
I used a stoneware loaf pan. So you think that was the problem?
becomebetty says
It could be, I've noticed that my stoneware isn't as kind to boxed cake mixes as I would like. I can't say for certain though.
Ausan M. says
Maybe I will give it one more try. Let you know if it makes a difference.
Frank says
It came out really claggy and nasty. I will never buy again. I used my metal loaf pan, exactly to the box directions and it was inedible. It is just too gummy and crumbly, you can't even cut a normal piece. I was really looking forward to the cake and this was very disheartening. The party that really got me, is it passed the toothpick with flying colors. I light my lemon cakes to be moist but light, this is thing is super nasty and not worth the time it took.
becomebetty says
Hey Frank! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It seems you and Susan and similar experiences. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this, maybe I need to revisit this when I see it again. Thanks again for taking the time out of your to stop by and share!
Susan M. says
It looks like Frank had the same issue with this mix that I did. Won’t try it a third time as it has not been back in stock. Maybe they pulled it for a reason.
Juanitaom says
I made this yesterday and took it to a gathering. It turned out moist and yummy! I served it w/o the icing but with
Cut up fresh seasonal fruit and whip cream. Everyone loved it and devoured it!
becomebetty says
Hey Juanitaom! Thanks so much for sharing! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and it turned out well. Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to stop by!
tj's eater says
Try making this cake with vegetable oil instead of butter, the citrus flavor shines brighter and the edges get a little bit crispy. Also sub lemon juice for butter in the icing, but only use 4-5 teaspoons. Never had a problem with this cake and have several boxes in the cupboard for the winter. I use a metal loaf pan.
becomebetty says
Hey TJ's Eater! Glad to hear this tip. Thanks so much for sharing. I know I have a lot of dairy free readers so this will be helpful. Thanks again for stopping by!
Lita poppenberg says
I love this tip from TJ eater!!!
becomebetty says
This is why I'm grateful for the comments section and the best audience ever.
Lita poppenberg says
Indeed you do:)))) With good reason............
Debra A Fischer says
I never heard of Trader Joe's Lemon Cake until a friend gave me a box. Oh my gosh it is AMAZING! My husband and I love it. I used it in a non stick bread pan and it turned out perfect.
becomebetty says
Hey Debra! Glad to hear you enjoyed it too. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share.