Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe

Easy Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Summer Delight

Summer memories dance through this delectable lemon blueberry cake that captures pure sunshine on a plate.

Bright citrus notes weave between soft, pillowy layers studded with juicy berries.

Each slice promises a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors.

Wild blueberries peek through golden crumb, creating visual magic that hints at deliciousness waiting inside.

Gentle zesty undertones complement the natural sweetness of ripe fruit perfectly.

Baked with love, this cake brings comfort and joy to any gathering.

Ingredients in Lemon Blueberry Cake

Base Ingredients:
  • Graham Crackers: The foundation for layering, providing a sweet and crunchy base that complements the creamy filling.
  • Blueberry Pie Filling: Rich and fruity topping that adds vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor to the dessert.
Cream Mixture Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, smooth texture and tangy background flavor for the lemon cream.
  • Lemon Pudding Mix: Delivers intense lemon flavor and helps thicken the cream mixture.
  • Cold Milk: Helps create a smooth, creamy consistency in the pudding mixture.
  • Whipped Topping: Adds lightness and airy texture to the cream layer.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream and helps release lemon zest aromatics.
  • Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, fresh citrus notes throughout the cream mixture.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Plastic Wrap: Used for covering and chilling the dessert, helping to set the layers.

Lemon Blueberry Cake – Baking Steps

Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Lemon Base

Create a fragrant foundation by rubbing lemon zest into sugar.

Add cream cheese and beat until silky smooth.

Pour in lemon pudding and cold milk, mixing until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.

Gently fold whipped topping into the mixture, ensuring everything blends perfectly.

Step 2: Build First Cake Layer

Place graham crackers in a single layer across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Carefully spread a thin coating of lemon pudding mixture over the crackers.

Generously distribute blueberry pie filling across the surface, spreading evenly.

Add another layer of pudding mixture, allowing some natural blending.

Step 3: Create Delicious Repetition

Duplicate the previous layer pattern by adding another set of graham crackers.

Pour pudding mixture over the crackers.

Spread blueberry pie filling consistently.

Top with a final graham cracker layer and cover with remaining pudding mixture.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Cover the entire dish with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, though overnight produces the most delectable results.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Just before serving, spread the remaining blueberry pie filling across the top.

Cut into beautiful squares and serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.

Cake Tips With Lemon & Blueberry Lift

  • Rub lemon zest into sugar vigorously to release maximum citrusy oils and enhance overall flavor intensity.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and ensure graham crackers maintain slight crispness during chilling.
  • Substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream for a fresher, less processed dessert option.
  • Swap blueberry pie filling with fresh blueberries or mixed berries for a more natural, less sweet alternative.
  • This dessert tastes even better when chilled overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper complexity.

Lemon Blueberry Cake Stored for Bright Slices Anytime

  • Store the lemon blueberry cake in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the cake remains fresh and maintains its creamy texture.
  • Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Enjoy chilled directly from the refrigerator, as this dessert is best served cold and does not require reheating.

Light Bites For Lemon Blueberry Cake

  • Pair with Tangy Sips
  • Choose a crisp, chilled limoncello or sparkling prosecco to complement the cake's bright lemon notes and cut through its creamy richness.
  • Vibrant Wine Match
  • Select a sweet Riesling or Moscato that echoes the blueberry's fruity essence and balances the dessert's creamy texture with light, refreshing acidity.
  • Creamy Beverage Companion
  • Serve alongside a cold, smooth vanilla bean milkshake that enhances the cake's graham cracker base and provides a rich, cool counterpoint to the zesty lemon flavors.
  • Fruit-Infused Refreshment
  • Prepare a blueberry-lavender iced tea that mirrors the cake's fruity profile and offers a subtle herbal undertone to elevate the dessert's complexity.

Lemon Blueberry Cake Versions

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace graham crackers with gluten-free graham-style crackers or almond flour cookies for a celiac-friendly dessert.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream and use dairy-free whipped topping to create a lactose-free alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free blueberry pie filling to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Vegan Transformation: Use plant-based cream cheese, coconut whipped cream, and vegan graham crackers to make a completely plant-based dessert.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make this lemon blueberry cake unique?

This cake uses graham crackers instead of traditional cake layers, creating a no-bake dessert with a delightful texture and easy assembly.

  • Can I use fresh blueberries instead of pie filling?

No, pie filling works best because it provides the right consistency and sweetness. Fresh blueberries might make the dessert too watery and less stable.

  • Is this dessert difficult to make?

This is an extremely easy, no-bake recipe that requires no special baking skills. Anyone can assemble it like a simple layered dessert with basic mixing and spreading techniques.

  • How far in advance can I prepare this dessert?

You can prepare this cake up to 24 hours before serving. It actually tastes better when chilled overnight, allowing flavors to meld and layers to set perfectly.

Lemon Blueberry Cake That Pops With Freshness

  • Effortless No-Bake Delight: Zero oven time means maximum convenience for busy home cooks, making this dessert perfect for last-minute gatherings or quick sweet treats.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Combo: Tangy lemon cream and sweet blueberry pie filling create a harmonious taste profile that appeals to both kids and adults, guaranteeing happy taste buds at any event.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert up to a day in advance, allowing the layers to meld together and intensify flavors while saving precious time before serving.
  • Minimal Ingredient Requirement: Uses simple, readily available ingredients like graham crackers, cream cheese, and blueberry pie filling, making it an accessible recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
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Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe

Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Delightful Lemon Blueberry Cake brings sunshine to dessert tables with its zesty citrus notes and sweet berry swirls. Moist crumb and balanced flavors promise a refreshing slice of pure comfort you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits:

  • 3 (21-oz) cans blueberry pie filling
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 16 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
  • 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes instant lemon pudding
  • 2 cups low-fat or 2% milk (cold)

Dry/Base Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 sleeves graham crackers

Instructions

  1. Prepare the zesty lemon foundation by massaging lemon zest into granulated sugar until aromatic and oils are released, creating an intense citrus fragrance.
  2. Incorporate cream cheese into the zesty sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly until achieving a silky, uniform texture without any lumps.
  3. Blend cold milk with lemon pudding mix, stirring continuously to eliminate potential clumps and create a smooth, velvety pudding base.
  4. Gently fold whipped topping into the lemon pudding mixture, maintaining a light, airy consistency that will provide delicate creaminess to the dessert.
  5. Create the first structural layer by carefully arranging graham crackers along the bottom of a rectangular baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
  6. Delicately spread the initial lemon pudding mixture over the graham cracker base, creating an even, thin coating that will bind the layers together.
  7. Generously distribute blueberry pie filling across the pudding layer, allowing the deep purple fruit to create a vibrant, marbled effect.
  8. Add another stratum of lemon pudding mixture, permitting some natural blending between the layers for a more integrated flavor profile.
  9. Replicate the layering process: graham crackers, pudding mixture, and blueberry filling, building height and complexity to the dessert.
  10. Crown the creation with a final graham cracker layer, covering completely with the remaining lemon pudding mixture.
  11. Seal the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set.
  12. Prior to serving, lavishly spread the second can of blueberry pie filling across the top, creating a glossy, fruit-rich finish.
  13. Slice into precise portions and serve chilled, revealing the beautiful stratified layers within.

Notes

  • Zest Technique: Gently rub lemon zest into sugar to release maximum citrusy oils and enhance flavor depth without bruising the delicate zest.
  • Graham Cracker Swap: Replace graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour cookies or coconut flour biscuits for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Cream Cheese Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps and create a silky smooth lemon cream mixture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert gets better with time, so prepare a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and textures to soften perfectly.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Chilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 252
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 172 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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