Description
This Cream Cheese Lemon Dessert is a delightful, tangy treat perfect for lemon lovers. A moist lemon cake base topped with a smooth, creamy lemon-flavored cream cheese layer creates a beautiful balance of sweet and tart. Easy to prepare and bake, this dessert is ideal for gatherings or a refreshing finish to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Layer
- 1 package lemon cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
Cream Cheese Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) ensuring it reaches the right temperature for even baking.
- Prepare Cake Batter: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and egg. Stir thoroughly until a uniform dough forms.
- Form Cake Layer: Press the lemon cake dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, creating the base layer for the dessert.
- Mix Cream Cheese Topping: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Dessert: Spread the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the pressed cake batter in the baking dish, ensuring full coverage.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the dessert to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, drizzle the 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice over the top to enhance the tangy flavor.
- Serve: Slice the dessert into 12 squares and enjoy the refreshing, creamy, and zesty lemon treat.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth topping.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright lemon flavor.
- Allow the dessert to cool completely before drizzling lemon juice to prevent it from soaking in too much during baking.
- Grease the baking dish well to ensure easy removal and serving.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for optimal freshness.
