Chocolate Lemon Birthday Cake - A Family Tradition
Chocolate, Lemon & Family Traditions
There are some recipes that aren’t just food—they’re family stories, memories, and love wrapped in frosting. This cake is one of them.
Every year for my dad’s birthday, his grandmother made this special chocolate lemon cake. When she passed, my mom lovingly carried on the tradition. And now? I’ve picked up the spatula, keeping the legacy alive one lemon-filled bite at a time.
It’s an unexpected combination—rich chocolate cake layered with lemon pudding and topped with a sweet, marshmallowy boiled frosting. But somehow… it just works. The result is light, flavorful, nostalgic, and completely unique. It’s not the easiest cake in the world, but it’s always worth it.
The Cake: Homemade or Boxed, Both Work
I’ve adapted the base cake from my go-to chocolate cake recipe, but you can absolutely take the shortcut my grandma would’ve loved: a box of Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake.
Here’s how I make it:
Ingredients + Steps
Chocolate Cake
Option 1 – From Scratch (makes 2 8-inch layers):
Follow this chocolate cake recipe, using two 8-inch pans. Let layers cool completely before assembling.
Option 2 – Shortcut Version:
1 box Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake Mix
3 large eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup water
Bake in two 8-inch pans according to box directions. Cool completely.
Lemon Filling
You can use homemade lemon curd or a high-end candy shop variety, but my weeknight go-to is Jell-O. It's zesty and nostalgic in the best way.
1 box (3.4 oz) Jell-O Lemon Instant Pudding
1 1/2 cups cold milk (less than box calls for to keep it thick)
Whisk until set. Chill until you’re ready to fill the cake.
Boiled Fluffy Frosting
This dreamy old-school frosting is light and meringue-like—perfect for this cake. I use this boiled frosting recipe
Or, if you're short on time? Use a box of "Fluffy White Frosting Mix" and just add water. It’s shockingly close to the real deal.
Assembly Instructions
Level the cakes (if needed) and place one layer on a serving plate.
Spread lemon pudding generously across the top.
Top with the second cake layer.
Frost with the boiled frosting—swoop it on thick with a spoon or offset spatula.
Optional: Chill before serving for a cleaner slice and maximum nostalgia.
Why I Love This Cake
It’s not fancy. It’s not trendy. But it’s ours. The combination of rich chocolate, zippy lemon, and soft meringue frosting is just unexpected enough to feel special—but familiar enough to feel like home.
Every time I make this cake, I think of the generations of birthdays it’s been a part of—my dad as a boy, my mom carrying it on, and now me, baking it in my Malmö kitchen and feeling a little closer to home.
Pin & Save It
This cake is perfect for:
Family birthdays
Celebrating loved ones
Sharing something unique
Adding a vintage twist to your dessert table
Bonus Idea: Illustrate Your Own Family Recipe
If you have a recipe like this that’s filled with memories, I’d love to illustrate it for you. Whether it’s a handwritten card or a well-loved dessert like this one, let’s turn it into something timeless.
