Cheaters Lemon cake with Raspberry Filling

I was in the mood for something sweet and I didn't want to blow my diet so I made a quick lemon cake with raspberry filling and lemon buttercream. The reason I call it cheaters cake is that ......

1. I used a cake mix

2. I used store bought raspberry jam. I didn't make cooked raspberry jam this last year and freezer jam, while delicious just doesn't hold up the same

3. It won't kill your diet.  I know, what am I talking about right. Well I made the cake with club soda instead of oil and eggs so there are no extra calories in it.

The best part is you would never know it.

The cake is moist and tender and you don't miss the oil and eggs. Trust me it works. It does make the cake a bit tricky as it is very soft, so if you want a bit more stability add in two egg whites.

The best part is while not killing your diet and still being able to button your jeans it can be made with any, yes any store bought cake mix.

To add a bit more kick to the lemon I also added in the zest of one medium lemon and the juice too. Then when I made the buttercream I added the zest and juice of another lemon. Yummy!

Cheaters Lemon Cake

1 box of lemon cake mix
12 ounces diet lemon lime soda or club soda
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, mix well then pour into two greased and floured 8" cake pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Lemon Buttercream 

1 stick unsalted butter
1 pound powdered sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lemon
Milk as needed

In your stand mixer combine butter, sugar, lemon zest and juice. Mix on low adding in milk until it is just starting to moisten. Turn up to medium if needed add a bit more milk then turn to high and whip until it is the consistency that you want. Spread on cooled cake.

Enjoy!!