Description
This Cream Cheese Cake is a decadent, moist, and easy-to-make dessert that combines the richness of cream cheese with a tender, fluffy crumb. Perfect for any occasion, this recipe yields a soft and flavorful cake that can be enjoyed plain or paired with fresh berries, fruit compote, or a luscious frosting for an extra indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and salt in the batter.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, creating a light base for the cake.
- Add Sugar: Incorporate the granulated sugar into the butter and cream cheese blend and continue beating until the mixture is light and creamy, ensuring a tender texture.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate and maintain the batter’s smoothness.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor enhancement.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Pour and Smooth Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly to promote uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or frosting.
- Serve: Optionally dust with powdered sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy plain or pair with fresh berries or fruit compote.
Notes
- This cake is rich and moist on its own but pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a fruit compote.
- You can add a lemon glaze or a thin cream cheese frosting for extra decadence.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
- Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results and texture.
