Description
Zesty lemonade cream cheese cake is bright, moist, and perfect for citrus lovers. With a rich swirl of cream cheese, it’s your go-to summer dessert.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sugar (for cream cheese swirl)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or 8-inch square pan.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, yogurt, zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese with 2 tbsp sugar.
- Pour half the batter into the pan, dollop cream cheese, swirl gently, then add remaining batter on top.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool before slicing. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or glaze.
Notes
For extra zing, add a lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and juice. Store covered at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: lemonade cream cheese cake, zesty lemon dessert, moist lemon loaf