Description

A show-stopping dessert featuring moist lemon cake layers, creamy cheesecake filling, and luscious lemon buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest
1 cup buttermilk
16 oz cream cheese, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
2–3 tbsp heavy cream
Optional: Thin lemon slices, fresh berries, white chocolate shavings

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then add eggs and vanilla. Pour into a greased springform pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is just set. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by lemon juice, zest, and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then alternate adding dry mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
Beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
Place one lemon cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Carefully place the cheesecake layer on top, followed by another thin layer of frosting. Add the second lemon cake layer. Frost the entire cake with the lemon buttercream, smoothing the sides and top.
Finish with lemon slices, berries, or white chocolate shavings—whatever makes you smile.

Notes

[‘Let the cheesecake and cake layers cool completely before assembling to avoid melted frosting.’, ‘Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.’, ‘Bake the cheesecake and cake layers a day ahead for easier assembly.’, ‘Clean your knife between cuts for perfect layers.’]

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 450
Sugar: 45
Sodium: 250
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 60
Fiber: 1
Protein: 6

Keywords: lemon cheesecake cake, lemon dessert, layered cake, birthday cake, lemon buttercream, cheesecake filling