Lemon Cream Cheese Cake (Printer-Friendly Version)

Moist cake featuring creamy cheese and fresh lemon for a perfect balance of sweet and tart.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 box yellow cake mix
02 - 240 milliliters water
03 - 115 grams unsalted butter, melted

→ Cream Cheese Layer

04 - 225 grams cream cheese, softened
05 - 120 grams powdered sugar
06 - 240 grams lemon curd
07 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease a 23×33 cm baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides as needed.
03 - Mix lemon curd, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated and bright yellow in color.
04 - In a separate bowl, stir together yellow cake mix and water until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain a light texture.
05 - Pour cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the batter and gently swirl with a spatula to create a marbled effect.
06 - Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the entire surface to create a crisp, golden topping during baking.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow to cool for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving. Pairs well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing. Avoid overmixing the cake batter to maintain a tender texture.
02 - Grease baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Cooling the cake before slicing helps maintain its structure.