Cream Cheese Cake

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Cream Cheese Cake: The Ultimate Rich & Velvety Dessert You’ll Crave

Imagine a cake so creamy and luscious, it tastes like the best parts of cheesecake and pound cake combined into one perfect slice. This ultra-moist, buttery cream cheese cake is easy to make—no water bath needed like traditional cheesecakes—and utterly irresistible. Whether it’s for birthdays, holidays, or just because, this cake is guaranteed to wow your friends and family.

With a tender crumb thanks to cream cheese, this cake is incredibly versatile. You can add a lemon zest twist, swirl in berry jam, or make a rich chocolate version. Plus, cake recipes like this consistently attract high traffic and engagement, making them SEO and AdSense winners for any food blog!

Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Cake

✅ Ridiculously moist and tender crumb thanks to cream cheese
✅ No complicated water bath required
✅ Easily customizable with lemon, chocolate, or berry variations
✅ Perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence

Ingredients (Serves 12)

For the Cake

• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Optional Flavor Twists

• Zest of 1 lemon + 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate version, replace part of flour)
• ½ cup berry jam swirl

Optional Toppings

• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• Powdered sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar

• Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
• Beat softened cream cheese, butter, and sugar together until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).

2. Add Eggs & Vanilla

• Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.

3. Fold in Dry Ingredients & Sour Cream

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the batter, mixing gently until combined.

4. Bake to Perfection

• Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 1 hour before slicing.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

• Top with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Pro Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Cake

• For extra moistness, brush the warm cake with simple syrup (equal parts sugar + water heated until dissolved).
• For a chocolate cake, replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder.
• Make ahead and store covered at room temperature for 2 days or freeze up to 1 month.

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Cream Cheese Cake

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• * 1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
• * 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• * 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• * 3 large eggs
• * 1 tsp vanilla extract
• * 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• * 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• * 1/4 tsp salt
• * 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Optional Flavor Twists:
• * Zest of 1 lemon + 1 tbsp lemon juice
• * 1/4 cup cocoa powder replace part of flour for chocolate version
• * 1/2 cup berry jam swirl

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream to batter.
5. Pour batter into pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool for 1 hour before slicing. Top as desired.

Notes

* Brush warm cake with simple syrup for extra moisture.
* Substitute cocoa powder for flour to make chocolate version.
* Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or freeze for 1 month.