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Top 1 Italian Lemon Cream Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 146 reviews

This Italian Lemon Cream Cake is a luscious and refreshing dessert featuring moist vanilla cake layers filled and frosted with a tangy lemon cream cheese filling and topped with light whipped cream. The citrusy lemon flavor combined with creamy textures makes it a perfect cake for spring and summer celebrations or any time you crave a bright, elegant dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the vanilla cake layers:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk

For the lemon cream filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

For the topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional garnish:

  • Lemon zest
  • Powdered sugar
  • White chocolate curls

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven and pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes, helping to incorporate air for a tender cake.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cake.
  6. Bake the cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating doneness.
  7. Cool the cakes: Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before removing them. Then turn the cakes out onto wire racks to cool completely before assembling.
  8. Prepare the lemon cream filling: Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice together until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks, then gently fold it into the lemon cream mixture to create a light and fluffy filling.
  9. Prepare the whipped cream topping: Whip the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until soft peaks form. This will create a smooth and airy frosting for the cake.
  10. Assemble the cake: Once the cakes have completely cooled, optionally slice each layer horizontally to create four thin layers. Spread the lemon cream filling evenly between the layers. Finish by frosting the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream topping.
  11. Garnish and chill: Decorate the cake with lemon zest, powdered sugar, or white chocolate curls as desired. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.

Notes

  • Ensure the cake layers are completely cool before assembling to prevent the filling and topping from melting.
  • You can substitute regular milk with buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • For a stronger lemon flavor, increase lemon zest by an additional teaspoon.
  • White chocolate curls can be made by shaving a white chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Italian Lemon Cream Cake, lemon cake, cream cheese filling, lemon dessert, vanilla cake, whipped cream frosting

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/top-1-italian-lemon-cream-cake-recipe/