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Hold on to yer horses, this Lemon Better Than Sex Cake is BETTER than the original Better than sex cake! You can have the chocolate, give me all of the lemons, please! Lemon cake, lemon pudding, whipped cream, and lemon cream cookies combine to make this dessert a lemon lover’s dream come true!
Lemon Cake is Definitely the Best Better Than Sex Cake
I’m not sure if using “the best better” was proper grammar in the header above, but as a lemon cake lover let me tell you, this is your dessert. Period. It combines everything lemony in one pan and it’s not overwhelming. It’s a great twist on the normal or classic Better Than Sex Cake that I whipped up two weeks ago. Don’t get me wrong, that is one helluva good cake my friends, but I am a lemon lover through and through.
This cake is also called Better than Robert Redford Cake or Better Than Anything Cake but really, those crazy 1970s mom’s LOVED to name their desserts with slightly risque names back then. Sex in a Pan, anyone? That classic is also a layered dessert which is on my list to make! That one will wait for summertime however as it’s perfect for a BBQ. Or maybe not, I tend not to be the patient type.
Tips & Tricks For Making This Lemon Cake
- I find that instant lemon pudding is harder to source here in Canada, so if you can’t find it go with the lemon pie filling in the box that you have to cook. Make sure NOT to add in the egg yolks! That is what will turn that into a very firm pie filling and not a more smooth and liquid-like lemon pudding. However on the other hand if you would like to make a lemon layer on top of the cake, then make the pie filling firm according to the package directions.
- You can use any lemon filling that you want to. The beauty of this cake is that you can sub in whatever you want to for the lemon pudding. You can even use a jar of lemon curd if you want super tangy!
- Let this dessert sit for an hour or two for sure. It’s better when the cookies get soft.
- You can use real whipped cream or cool whip, the choice is up to you!
If you are looking for some more decadent dessert recipes, try these:
- Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Dream Bars
- Seven Layer Bars
- Blueberry Pie Bars
- Black Forest Cake Trifle
- Hazelnut Cream Pie using Frangelio
Happy baking! Or in this case, not baking!
Love,
Karlynn
Lemon Better Than Sex Cake
Ingredients
- 1 18.25 ounce package lemon cake mix
- 2 cups lemon pudding ( instant or cooked pie filling, canned pie filling, lemon curd)
- 2 cups of broken lemon cream filled cookies
- 1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping thawed
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to package directions for a 9×13 inch pan. Remove from the oven and poke small holes in the top ( making sure not to poke all the way through to the bottom.
- Prepare the lemon instant pudding according to package instructions. If you are using cooked lemon pie filling only use ONE egg yolk to prepare it. You don’t want it too thick! You can even skip the egg yolk if wanted and just cook the pudding without if you want it more liquidy. Cook it until it thickens slightly.
- Slowly pour the lemon pudding or pie filling over the top of the warm cake, letting it sink into the holes in the cake. Take 1 cup of the cookies and sprinkle them over the top.
- Let the cake now cool completely, then top with whipped topping. Decorate the top of the cake with some more lemon cookie chunks.
- Refrigerate for an hour or two if you can then serve!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Margaret says
Can I use strawberry pie filling instead of lemon curd?
Robin says
Could this be frozen when fully prepared?
Karlynn Johnston says
If you use the cool whip and not real whipped cream this will freeze great!
Janice says
Want to try this recipe
Lois Hoover says
I can’t wait to make this!!! Which brand of lemon cookies do you use?
Jillian says
Love this cake, better than sex, I’ll never tell. HeHe
Beverly says
I love love love poke cakes, but I hadn’t thought about lemon. Great idea. I think I’ll use the canned lemon pie filling ( or make my own), as I think it will taste brighter. Does that make sense? Canned lemon pie filling is very close to my homemade but way quicker.
Thanks for the idea.
N. Hammes says
118.25oz of lemon cake mix? Is that a typo?
Meredith says
I picked up the instant no-cook pudding by mistake. Do you think that’d be ok to use or should I get the cook and serve instead? I’m making this for my Mom’s birthday. She loves lemon.
Natalie says
This is definitely a typo, I could not find any cake mix in that size. I just used the 13 ounce box and it worked out great.
Michele Ash says
I think the recipe refers to the older packaging. I just add about 5 tablespoons of self-rising flour to make up the difference in cake mix sizes. It’s probably been about six or seven years since companies reduced their mix sizes – first to 16 ounces and now I think it’s down to a little more than 15 ounces – and we’re paying the same or maybe even more for less!
Linda says
I was wondering if I use the cooked pudding if it needs to cool before adding to the poked holes?
Karlynn says
No, if you use warm pudding it will spread even better and soak into the cake!
Jody says
Can you make this a day ahead of time or will it get soggy?
Terri says
Has anyone ever tried freezing the better than sex or Robert Redford cakes?
Pia says
Looks delicious. I think I’ll make it for Easter dessert. Can you tell me though, what is Lemon Food Cake? Thanks.
Karlynn Johnston says
That was a typo! Just lemon cake mix!
Erin Dee says
Mmm, I love lemon too! This is a must make dessert! Looks so incredibly delicious!
Krista says
I must make this cake! It looks so good!
Monique says
The only lemon pie filling we have is in a can. May I just use that right out of the can?
Karlynn Johnston says
You bet, it’s one of the options! It’s a very easy recipe!
Monique says
The only lemon pie filling we have is in a can…can I just use that right out of the can??
Katerina @ diethood .com says
I have to make this cake real soon!! It’s absolutely ahhmaazing!!
Amanda says
Oh my goodness, this is a fantastic lemon dessert!!
Dee says
Total lemon lover here, and this is my dream dessert!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I love the toppings and layers of this dessert! Plus it’s the PERFECT bright color for spring!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
This cake! I have to make it soon!
sesch@fairview.k12.mi.us says
Can I use soft lemon cookies in place of the lemon cream?