Easy & Moist Lemon Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze 2025
If you’re a fan of cakes that strike the perfect balance between rich creaminess and zesty brightness, then this Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake will soon become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire. With its soft, dense crumb and an intoxicatingly fresh lemon glaze, this cake is more than just dessert—it’s an experience. Whether you’re planning a spring picnic, a summer brunch, or simply want a slice of sunshine on a cloudy afternoon, this recipe delivers pure citrusy comfort in every bite.
This comprehensive guide covers everything from ingredients, step-by-step baking instructions, common mistakes, ingredient substitutions, and even presentation tips to ensure you can master this cake like a pro. By the end, you’ll not only be confident in creating this cake but may even inspire others to ask you for the recipe.
📌 Why This Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a Must-Bake
This pound cake offers much more than flavor. It’s about texture, simplicity, and elevated elegance. Here’s why bakers around the world are obsessed with this cake:
✅ Moist & Dense Texture
Unlike traditional pound cakes that sometimes risk turning dry or crumbly, this one uses full-fat cream cheese to create a dense yet moist and buttery crumb. Every bite feels luxurious.
✅ Bursting with Real Lemon Flavor
We don’t settle for a mere hint of lemon. This recipe uses lemon zest, lemon juice, and an optional lemon extract to intensify the flavor—without tasting artificial.
✅ Foolproof One-Bowl Method
Minimal dishes. No fussy folding or fancy equipment. Just one bowl, a mixer, and a bit of patience.
✅ Perfect Year-Round
Although it feels especially right during spring and summer, its comforting richness makes it a versatile dessert all year long—from Easter and Mother’s Day to holiday gatherings.
🍰 What is a Pound Cake, and How Does Cream Cheese Change the Game?
Historically, pound cakes were made with a pound each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar—hence the name. While modern recipes play with proportions, the goal remains: a cake that is rich, compact, and satisfying.
By adding cream cheese to the batter, we introduce more fat and acidity, which does three magical things:
- Moistens the crumb.
- Adds a faint tang that complements citrus perfectly.
- Contributes to a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that lingers pleasantly.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need (and Smart Substitutions)
Let’s break down the role each ingredient plays and how to adapt them if needed.
Main Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Fat Cream Cheese (room temp) | ⅔ cup (145g) | Adds moisture, tanginess, soft crumb |
| Unsalted Butter (room temp) | ¾ cup + 1 tbsp (193g) | Classic pound cake richness |
| Granulated Sugar | 1⅔ cups + 1 tbsp (343g) | Sweetness and structure |
| Lemon Juice (fresh) | 3 tbsp (43 ml) | Zestiness and moisture |
| Lemon Zest | Zest of 3 lemons | Bold lemon aroma and taste |
| Lemon Extract (optional) | 2 tsp (10g) | Intensifies citrus flavor |
| Eggs | 3 large (150g) | Structure and richness |
| Cake Flour | 1⅔ cups + 1 tbsp (198g) | Tender texture |
| Baking Powder | 1 tsp (5g) | Gentle lift and crumb lightening |
Glaze Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Icing Sugar | 1 cup (130g) | Sweet, glossy glaze base |
| Lemon Juice | 1–2 tbsp | Balances the sweetness |
Substitutions:
- Cake Flour Substitute: Use all-purpose flour minus 2 tbsp per cup, replaced with cornstarch.
- No Lemon Extract? Skip it—the zest and juice will still shine.
- No Cream Cheese? Try mascarpone, but note that the tang will be less pronounced.
- Egg-Free Version: Use a commercial egg replacer or a combination of yogurt and baking soda (but expect slight texture variation).
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake the Perfect Pound Cake
🧁 1. Prep Like a Pro
- Preheat your oven to 330°F (165°C).
- Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan or use a 12-cup bundt pan if doubling the batch.
- Bring cream cheese, butter, and eggs to room temperature. This is critical for proper emulsification.
🍋 2. Beat the Base
In a large mixing bowl:
- Combine sugar, lemon zest, butter, and cream cheese.
- Beat on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale in color.
🍋 3. Add Lemon Elements
- Mix in the lemon juice and optional lemon extract. It may curdle slightly but will stabilize with the flour.
🥚 4. Incorporate Eggs
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.
- Do not overmix. This ensures the cake stays tender.
🧁 5. Dry Ingredients In
- Sift in the cake flour and baking powder.
- Mix on the lowest setting until just combined.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no dry flour remains.
🧁 6. Bake It
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
🍋 7. Glaze It Up
- Mix icing sugar with lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency.
- Pour over the completely cooled cake and let it set for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
🧠 Baker’s Pro Tips & Tricks
- Use a kitchen scale. Accuracy is everything in baking. Cup measurements often lead to inconsistency.
- Always use room-temperature ingredients. Cold cream cheese or eggs will cause separation and uneven texture.
- Avoid overmixing after adding flour. It creates gluten and results in a tough cake.
- Test for doneness early. Ovens vary, so start checking around 40 minutes.
- Double the glaze if you love a thicker coating or want to drizzle some on slices when serving.
🍽️ Serving Ideas: How to Elevate Your Lemon Pound Cake
This cake is delicious on its own—but you can also serve it in sophisticated ways:
🌿 With Fresh Berries
- Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries offer natural sweetness and color contrast.
🍋 With Lemon Curd or Marmalade
- Intensify the citrus experience by serving with a side of homemade lemon curd.
🍦 With Vanilla Ice Cream
- Warm a slice and top with vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent twist.
☕ With Afternoon Tea or Coffee
- The dense structure makes it ideal for dunking in coffee or pairing with herbal tea.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temperature: Lasts for 3 days in an airtight container.
- Refrigerator: Store for up to a week, but bring to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in cling film and foil. Keeps for 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temp.
💡 Flavor Variations and Creative Twists
Want to tweak the recipe? Try one of these creative variations:
🍓 Berry Burst Pound Cake
Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries to the batter before baking.
🌸 Lavender Lemon Pound Cake
Add ½ tsp of food-grade dried lavender to the sugar before mixing for a fragrant, floral note.
🍊 Citrus Trio Cake
Combine zest of lemon, lime, and orange for a multi-dimensional citrus cake.
🍫 Lemon White Chocolate Swirl
Add swirls of melted white chocolate for a richer, dessert-style finish.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Low-fat versions tend to have more water and stabilizers. For best texture and flavor, always use full-fat.
Q2. Why did my pound cake sink in the middle?
Most likely causes: overmixing, underbaking, or opening the oven too early.
Q3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Use a bundt pan or two loaf pans and increase baking time by 15–20 minutes.
Q4. Is it okay to skip the glaze?
Yes, but you’ll miss out on an extra layer of lemony goodness. If skipping, consider dusting with powdered sugar.
🧾 Nutritional Information (Per Slice – Approximate)
- Calories: 370
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 27g
- Fiber: <1g
Note: This nutritional breakdown is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients or portion sizes.
📣 Final Thoughts: A Cake That Checks Every Box
The Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake is the kind of recipe that stays in your family forever. It’s nostalgic, crowd-pleasing, easy to make, and sophisticated enough for special occasions. Whether you’re new to baking or an experienced home chef, this recipe ensures a flavorful journey with every bite.
So, grab your lemons, fire up your oven, and treat yourself to a cake that’s both timeless and trend-worthy.
