Recipes
Lemon Cream Cheese Strawberry Pound Cake
This cake is bursting with tangy lemon, creamy goodness, and the sweet swirl of strawberry preserves, all topped off with a zesty lemon glaze. Perfect for any occasion or as a sweet pick-me-up!
Ingredients:
For the Pound Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup strawberry preserves (slightly warmed for swirling)
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Directions:
- Prepare the Pan and Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or line it with parchment paper for easy release.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the sugar, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Alternately add the dry ingredients and lemon juice to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
- Layer and Swirl the Batter:
Pour half of the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Drizzle half of the strawberry preserves over the batter and gently swirl with a knife. Repeat with the remaining batter and preserves.
- Bake the Cake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 70–80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Adjust the consistency with additional lemon juice if needed.
- Glaze the Cake:
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and allow it to set before serving.