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Delicious Italian lemon cream cake with a fluffy lemon frosting and a slice on a plate

Italian Lemon Cream Cake

A delightful, bright, and airy cake filled with a creamy lemon filling, perfect for any celebration or as a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 package 15.25-ounce package white cake mix Use a premium mix for best results.
  • ¾ cup milk Plus 1 tablespoon of milk
  • tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs Can substitute with egg replacer if needed.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • cup confectioners' sugar Divided into ⅓ cup for filling and more for dusting.
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
For the Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
  2. Set aside 1 cup of the cake mix for the crumb topping. Place the remaining cake mix in a large bowl.
  3. Add ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon of milk, the vegetable oil, and the eggs. Use an electric mixer to beat until combined, about 2 minutes.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir in the reserved 1 cup of cake mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over the cake batter.
Baking
  1. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan.
Preparing the Filling
  1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
  2. In another bowl, whip heavy cream with the remaining ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream.
Assembly
  1. Carefully remove the cake from the pan and slice horizontally into two layers.
  2. Spread the filling over the bottom layer and then place the top layer on.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar before serving.

Notes

Make in advance for best results. The chilling time helps the flavors meld together. Serve chilled.