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Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Recipe

Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 16 reviews

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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