Heavenly Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Recipe – Sweet Bliss

Decadent desserts often surprise us with unexpected flavor combinations, and this lemon cream cheese delight cake packs a tangy punch that dances across your taste buds.

Sweet memories of summer afternoons drift through each delicate slice of this remarkable treat.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with bright citrus notes, creating a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Velvety cream cheese frosting swirls between soft cake layers, infusing every bite with rich, zesty goodness.

Fresh lemons from sun-drenched orchards transform an ordinary cake into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Simple ingredients come together in a symphony of taste that promises to delight even the most discerning palate.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that turns an ordinary moment into something truly magical.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 218 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Lemon Cream Cheese Cake

• Lemon Pie Filling: Vibrant citrus foundation that provides tangy sweetness and moisture to the dessert.
• Yellow Cake Mix: Convenient base that creates a soft, fluffy texture and golden color for the cake.

• Cream Cheese: Rich, velvety ingredient that adds luxurious tang and creates a decadent, smooth texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness, helps with browning, and adds a delicate, mellow flavor to the dessert.

• Non-Stick Spray or Butter: Essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cake removal from the baking dish.

Gear to Bake That Tangy Cake Just Right

• Oven: Essential for baking the cake at the right temperature.
• Square Baking Dish: Perfect for creating even layers and easy serving.
• Butter or Non-Stick Spray: Crucial for greasing the dish and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient portions.
• Knife: Needed for cubing cream cheese and slicing butter.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading lemon pie filling and evening out cake mix layers.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

Instructions for a Rich Lemon Cream Cake

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to a toasty 350 degrees. Give your baking dish a quick spritz of cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

• Lemon Foundation

Spread a generous layer of tangy lemon pie filling across the bottom of your prepared dish, making sure it reaches every corner.

• First Cake Blanket

Sprinkle the first half of your golden cake mix over the zesty lemon base, creating a soft, even layer that promises deliciousness.

• Creamy Surprise

Dot the landscape with cool, velvety cream cheese cubes, scattered like delightful little treasures across the cake mix.

• Final Cake Covering

Rain down the remaining cake mix over the cream cheese, creating a dreamy, soft blanket that hints at the magic brewing underneath.

• Buttery Crown

Delicately lay thin butter slices across the top, like gentle brushstrokes that will help create a gorgeous golden crust.

• Baking Transformation

Slide your creation into the heated oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes. Listen for the quiet sizzle and watch for a perfect golden glow.

• Resting and Serving

Give your masterpiece a peaceful 15-20 minute rest right in the pan, then slice and serve this heavenly treat that’s bursting with lemony, creamy goodness.

Flavor Enhancers for More Zest or Sweetness

• Baking Magic Tricks: Unlock the secrets to making this Lemon Cream Cheese Delight Cake even more spectacular!
• Zesty Lemon Boost: Enhance the citrus flavor by adding fresh lemon zest directly into the cake mix or sprinkling it on top before baking for an extra bright, tangy punch.
• Cream Cheese Creativity: Experiment with different cream cheese flavors like strawberry or plain varieties to create unique taste variations that surprise your taste buds.
• Topping Transformations: Dress up your cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of homemade lemon glaze to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the cake in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delicious treat that saves you time on busy days.

Serve Your Cake with Glaze or Berry Compote

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Pair this tangy lemon cream cheese cake with a fresh mimosa or light coffee for a delightful morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and garnish with thin lemon slices for a sophisticated and visually appealing serving style.
• Creamy Sidekick Suggestion: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the cake's rich, velvety texture.
• Friendly Gathering Delight: Cut into small squares for a perfect potluck or party dessert that's easy to share and guaranteed to impress guests with its bright, citrusy flavor.

Store Cake in Fridge for Softness & Flavor

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the lemon cream cheese cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delightful texture and preventing moisture loss.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring a delicious treat is always ready when cravings hit.
• Room Temperature Guidance: Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften its texture and enhance the creamy, lemony flavors.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Cut the cake into neat squares using a clean, sharp knife and wipe the blade between slices for picture-perfect presentation that will impress family and friends.

Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy lemon cream cheese delight cake celebrates zesty citrus and rich dairy in a harmonious dessert. Bakers will savor its elegant balance of tangy flavors and silky texture, drawing you into a memorable culinary experience.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (16 oz / 454 g) can lemon pie filling
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) package yellow cake mix
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, cubed
• 0.5 cups (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350º F (175º C) and thoroughly grease a square baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure effortless cake removal.
2. Foundation Layer: Spread lemon pie filling evenly across the entire bottom of the prepared dish, making sure to cover all corners for consistent flavor intensity.
3. First Mix Application: Uniformly distribute the first portion of yellow cake mix over the lemon pie filling, creating a complete and smooth base layer that will interact with the underlying zesty filling.
4. Cream Cheese Integration: Systematically place cream cheese cubes across the initial cake mix layer, positioning them to create delightful creamy pockets throughout the dessert.
5. Top Layer Creation: Gently cover the cream cheese cubes with the remaining yellow cake mix, ensuring a seamless and even surface that will develop a golden crust during baking.
6. Butter Enhancement: Strategically position thin butter slices across the top layer to promote a rich, golden-brown exterior and add depth of flavor.
7. Baking Process: Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, using the toothpick test to confirm complete cooking – a clean toothpick indicates the cake is perfectly done.
8. Cooling and Settling: Allow the cake to rest in the baking dish for 15-20 minutes, enabling the layers to set and facilitating easier cutting and serving.

Notes

• Butter Placement Technique: Strategically distribute thin butter slices across the top for a golden, crispy crust that enhances overall texture and flavor.
• Cream Cheese Distribution: Evenly dot cream cheese cubes to create delightful melted pockets that add rich, creamy surprise in every bite.
• Doneness Check: Use the toothpick test to ensure the cake is perfectly baked – a clean toothpick means no raw batter remains.
• Cooling Importance: Let the cake rest 15-20 minutes after baking to help layers settle, making cutting and serving much smoother and more presentable.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 218
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 265 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg