This Lemon Cream Cheese Cake is a delightful and refreshing dessert with a tangy lemon flavor and a creamy texture. Perfect for any occasion, this cake combines the rich creaminess of cream cheese with the zesty brightness of lemon, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ cup milk
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined.
- Mix in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the lemon juice and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Frost the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice the cake and serve. Enjoy the delightful blend of creamy and tangy flavors!
Feel free to garnish with extra lemon zest or a few lemon slices for an extra touch of freshness.