Slow Cooker Lemon Spoon Cake

Jun 16, 2023Updated Jun 25, 2025

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Warm Lemon Cake with ice cream, anyone? Yes, please! I made this Slow Cooker Lemon Spoon cake with a yellow cake mix, but I added a ton of lemon flavor with lemon juice and zest. This is sure to be a big hit at your next summer gathering.

Making cakes in your crock pot is so easy and tasty, just like my Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake and Slow Cooker Pineapple Coconut Spoon Cake.

crockpot lemon cake with ice cream on top.

What is a spoon cake?

A spoon cake is exactly what its name suggests – a cake that is literally spooned out of the pan (or in this case, the slow cooker). When you spoon a cake, you are able to catch every bit of it, edges and all. For this particular recipe, you can skip the greased baking dish or using the oven altogether.

Instead, you’ll use your slow cooker to “bake” a soft cake packed with lemon flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

Cake Mix: I like to use Pillsbury yellow cake mix.
Eggs: These are according to the cake box ingredients.
Butter: Melted and added to the cake batter according to box instructions.
Water: Mixes with the other cake ingredients.
Lemons: You’ll use all their juices and zest to make this lemon spoon cake.
Homemade Glaze: Making the glaze is so easy. You will use the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images showing how to make lemon spoon cake in a slow cooker.

Step One – In a large bowl, whisk together a yellow cake mix, eggs, melted butter, water, lemon juice, and zest until just blended (do not continue whisking, lumps are fine).

Step Two – Grease a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray and add the batter, spreading it in an even layer. Cook on high for 2 hours. The cake should be firm in the middle. If not yet set, continue cooking for 30 minutes more.

Step Three – When the cooking time up, make the glaze. Mix together lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Pour over the hot cake.

Step Four – Serve and enjoy!

How to serve

Keep the slow cooker on warm until you are ready to serve.
You can easily serve this spoon cake buffet style by keeping it in the crockpot and letting guests serve themselves.
Add this cake to a dessert bar with a variety of ice cream flavors like vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, or chocolate ice cream. Don’t forget the toppings for the top of the cake – whipped cream, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

Recipe FAQs

Is it easy to change the flavor of the delicious spoon cake?

Yes! Strawberry spoon cake can easily be made with other fruits like fresh strawberries, orange spoon cake with orange juice and zest, and so on. Fresh berries and fruit help with creating a rich flavor.

Can I use a different cake batter?

Of course. I like the taste of the yellow cake; however, you can use any box cake and flavor of your choice. White cake, lemon cake, or even red velvet may be good substitutions.

How do I store any leftover cake?

Place any remaining spoon cake in an airtight container. You can keep it at room temperature or store it in the fridge.

Are there other variations of this cake?

Besides changing the flavor, you can also add berries or chopped nuts to the batter or as a topping.

Can I use my own homemade cake flour mixture?

Sure. Cake batter is easy to make from scratch. Flour, salt, white sugar, and baking powder are pretty much all you need.

Love lemon desserts? Try one of these too!

Two Ingredient Lemon Bars – Recipe by Vintage Recipe Tin
Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake – Recipe by The Country Cook
Lemon Muddy Buddies Recipe by i Heart Naptime
Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle – Recipe by Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen
Sour Cream Lemon Pie – Recipe by Vintage Recipe Tin

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