Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake is a delightful dessert known for its rich, tangy, and creamy flavors. It’s a popular cake recipe that combines the richness of butter and cream cheese with the zesty freshness of lemons. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it is, its history, components, preparation steps, and approximate preparation time:
What is it?
Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake is a type of cake that features a buttery and dense texture, a layer of lemon-flavored cream cheese, and often a crumbly streusel topping. It’s a fusion of sweet and tangy flavors that make it a favorite dessert for many.
History:
The exact origin of this cake is not well-documented, but it likely evolved from classic butter cake recipes with the addition of cream cheese and lemon flavoring. It falls into the category of American cakes, where cream cheese-based desserts are quite popular.
Components:
The key components of Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake include:
- Butter Cake Base: This is a dense and buttery cake layer that serves as the foundation of the dessert.
- Cream Cheese Filling: A creamy and tangy layer made from cream cheese, sugar, and lemon zest.
- Streusel Topping (Optional): Some variations of the recipe include a streusel topping made from a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter for added texture and flavor.
- Lemon Flavoring: Lemon zest and juice are used to infuse the cake with a bright, citrusy flavor.
Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a simplified version of the preparation steps:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the specified temperature, typically around 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. Gradually add dry ingredients (flour, baking powder) and lemon zest, mixing until combined.
- Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, blend cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Layer the Cake: Grease and flour a baking pan. Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the pan. Top with the cream cheese mixture, and then add the remaining cake batter.
- Streusel Topping (Optional): If using a streusel topping, sprinkle it evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for the specified time, usually around 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a bit, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Preparation Time:
The preparation time can vary, but it typically takes around 20-30 minutes to prepare the batter and another 40-50 minutes for baking. Cooling time is additional, so you should allow a few hours in total for the cake to cool completely.
Enjoy your homemade Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake! It’s a wonderful dessert for any occasion.
Certainly, here are the approximate nutrition facts for a slice of Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake, based on a typical recipe. Please keep in mind that these values can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes:
- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving.
- Total Fat: About 20-25 grams.
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 12-15 grams.
- Cholesterol: Around 80-100 milligrams.
- Sodium: Roughly 250-300 milligrams.
- Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 35-40 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: Minimal (1-2 grams).
- Sugars: Around 20-25 grams.
- Protein: About 4-6 grams.
Health Information:
- High in Calories: This cake is relatively high in calories due to the butter, cream cheese, and sugar content. It should be enjoyed in moderation.
- Moderate Fat: The cake contains a moderate amount of fat, with a significant portion being saturated fat from butter and cream cheese. Saturated fat should be limited in a healthy diet.
- Sugar Content: It has a moderate sugar content, mainly from added sugars. Excessive sugar consumption should be avoided for a healthy lifestyle.
- Low Fiber: This cake is not a significant source of dietary fiber.
- Protein: It provides a small amount of protein.
Overall, Alex’s Lemon Cream Cheese Butter Cake is a delicious dessert but should be considered a treat rather than a regular part of a balanced diet due to its high-calorie and sugar content, as well as its moderate fat content. Enjoy it in moderation and as an occasional indulgence.
