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Slice of Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Cake with fresh strawberries

Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Cake

A light and fluffy cake layered with tangy cream cheese frosting and topped with fresh strawberries, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For Topping
  • Fresh strawberries

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in vanilla and lemon zest.
  4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Add the dry mix to the butter mix, alternating with milk. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
Baking
  1. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
  1. Beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth.
  2. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and gently fold into the cream cheese mixture, adding lemon juice.
Assembly
  1. Place one cake layer on a plate and spread half the frosting, then set the second layer on top.
  2. Frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
  3. Arrange fresh strawberries on top and slice to serve.

Notes

For smoother sides, chill the frosted cake for 15 minutes and run a warm spatula around the edge. Use room-temperature ingredients for better mixing. Overwhipping cream can make it grainy; stop when peaks hold but still look glossy.