Italian Lemon Cream Cake
Italian Lemon Cream Cake layers soft white cake with a bright lemon cream filling made from cream cheese, lemon juice, zest, and whipped cream. It is a make-ahead cake recipe for birthdays, spring gatherings, family dessert, and chilled party slices.
Equipment
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula
Ingredients
- 1 package white cake mix 16.25 ounces
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar divided, plus more for dusting
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream cold
- 1 tablespoon milk if needed to loosen filling
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment.
- Beat the cake mix, 3/4 cup milk, oil, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the cake layers in the pans briefly, then move them to a rack until fully cool.
- Beat cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth.
- Whip the cold heavy cream in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream into the lemon cream cheese mixture until light and spreadable.
- Fill and frost the cooled cake layers with the lemon cream, then chill until set.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar before slicing and serving.
Notes
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days because the filling contains cream cheese and whipped cream.
Freezing: Freeze wrapped slices for up to 1 month, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Best Tips: Cool the cake layers completely before filling and chill the mixing bowl before whipping the cream.
Chilling Tips: Chill the assembled cake for at least 1 hour, or 2 hours for cleaner slices.
Variations: Add berry preserves between layers, use vanilla cake mix, or replace half the cream cheese with mascarpone.
Serving Ideas: Dust with fresh confectioners’ sugar right before serving and add lemon curls or berries for a pretty finish.