Easy Cake Mix Lemon Pie Cake

Make the Cake:

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Grease and flour two 8-inch round layer cake pans. Preheat oven to 350 F.

3. Measure 1 cup of the pie filling; cover and refrigerate for later.

4. Put the remaining pie filling (about 1 1/4 cups) into a mixing bowl, along with the buttermilk and eggs; beat until well blended.

5. Blend the cake mix into the mixture. Beat on high speed of electric mixer for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl a few times.

6. Spread batter in pans. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched with a finger.

7. Cool in pans on a rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

8. Invert one cake onto a serving plate. Spread the reserved lemon pie filling over the top of that layer, then cover with the second layer.

9. Frost the top and sides with the fluffy frosting (below) or purchased creamy frosting, as desired.

10. Enjoy!

Fluffy Frosting

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, corn syrup, and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Boil until the frosting reaches a temperature of 232 F to 236 F. If you don't have a reliable candy thermometer, you can test the syrup by scooping a small amount up with a spoon. Let it drip off the spoon back into the saucepan. Eye it carefully. If it spins a visible "thread" with the last drops, it is done.

4. In a clean, grease-free bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until the egg whites begin to hold their shape.

5. Continue beating, gradually adding the hot syrup in a slow, thin, steady stream over about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. A stand mixer with a whisk attachment is great for this if you have one. 

6. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating until the frosting stands in stiff peaks.