Hey there, friends! Let me take you back to a sunny afternoon a couple of summers ago. I was in my kitchen, the smell of citrus wafting through the house while the dog chased a squirrel outside. My son just spilled juice all over his math homework, and as I stood there, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Between his giggles and the chaos in our little world, I decided to whip up something special—an Italian Lemon Cream Cake that blew everyone away. SO GOOD! This Cheesecake Factory-inspired gem is beautifully tangy, with a texture that’s as soft as a cloud. Seriously, ME? OBSESSED? You bet! It’s the kind of dessert that takes your average Tuesday and turns it into something magical.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: You don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen.
- Kid-Approved: My kids went wild for this one—ZINGING with lemony goodness!
- Freezer Friendly: Make it ahead, pop it in the freezer, and pull it out for last-minute celebrations.
- Comforting & Nostalgic: Hits that sweet spot for family gatherings, reminding us of warmer days.
- Unique Twist: This isn’t your run-of-the-mill cake—it’s layered with that luscious lemon mascarpone cream that elevates it.
Ingredients Needed
For the Cake Layers:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The base gives us that soft, sturdy texture.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Ensures our cake rises nicely and stays LIGHT.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Adds another layer of fluffiness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Just a pinch, but it really balances everything out.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature: This adds RICHNESS and moisture, ya know?
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar: Sweetness that makes the flavors sing.
- ½ cup vegetable oil: Keeps everything MOIST and tender—no dry cake here!
- 2 large eggs, room temperature: These bind it all together.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: For that deep, aromatic flavor.
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature: This keeps the batter nice and fluid.
For the Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Acts as the base for that delightful crunch.
- ½ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens things up and creates a delicate texture.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold: Cold butter equals a perfect crumbly topping.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest: Extra burst of LEMON flavor, because why not?
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract: Complements the lemon beautifully.
For the Lemon Mascarpone Cream Filling:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream: Whipped into stiff peaks for airy goodness.
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature: A creamy, tangy base for our filling.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens it all up.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest: Brightens the flavor profile even more.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Fresh juice to balance that richness!
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Make the Vanilla Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour your cake pans. Now let’s mix our dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. Add the oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix until just combined, then gradually add the dry ingredients. Pour that glorious batter into your prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. You want a toothpick to come out clean in the center!
Step 2: Prepare the Crumb Topping
While the cakes cool, let’s mix the crumb topping. In a bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the cold butter until it resembles small crumbs—think sandy beach vibes. Toss in the lemon zest and vanilla. Spread this mixture on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes at 350°F until golden. This is going to take your cake to the next level!
Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Mascarpone Cream Filling
In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form—it should look like light, fluffy clouds. In another bowl, blend the mascarpone with the powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until it’s smooth. Now gently fold in the whipped cream. This filling is MAGIC—so light, so tangy!
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Once your cakes cool completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a good amount of that whipped mascarpone filling on top—don’t hold back! Add the second layer and repeat. Lastly, sprinkle that crumb topping all over, letting it cascade down the sides. It’s gonna be a show-stopper for sure!
How to Store It & Expert Tips
How to Store It
This cake will be happy in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you’re not planning to eat it all right away, you can freeze it for up to a month—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap!
Expert Tips
- Timing is Key: Take your eggs and milk out a bit before starting; room temperature ingredients mix better.
- Flavor Boost: Add some lemon extract for an extra punch if you’re a lemon lover.
- Make-ahead Magic: You can bake the cake and prepare the filling a day ahead—just assemble it the day of your gathering.
Conclusion
There you have it—my version of the Cheesecake Factory’s Italian Lemon Cream Cake. You’re gonna want this one on your table for every occasion. Trust me, this recipe works wonders every time. If you love it, drop a star rating and let me know in the comments! And hey, share it with your cousin who never shows up empty-handed; they need this in their life. Did you add your own spin? I wanna hear about it!
FAQ Section
What if I don’t have mascarpone cheese?
Real talk—cream cheese mixed with a bit of heavy cream can work in a pinch for this recipe!
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend and you’re set.
How can I get more lemon flavor?
Add more lemon zest and juice into the whipped mascarpone or even a lemon glaze drizzle on top when serving.
If your sweet tooth isn’t done yet, make sure to check out my Chocolate Lava Cake for another indulgent treat!
Italian Lemon Cream Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers
- 3 cups all-purpose flour The base gives us that soft, sturdy texture.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder Ensures our cake rises nicely and stays LIGHT.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda Adds another layer of fluffiness.
- ½ teaspoon salt Balances everything out.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature Adds RICHNESS and moisture.
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar Sweetness that makes the flavors sing.
- ½ cup vegetable oil Keeps everything MOIST and tender.
- 2 large eggs, room temperature Binds the cake together.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract For that deep, aromatic flavor.
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature Keeps the batter nice and fluid.
For the Crumb Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour Acts as the base for that delightful crunch.
- ½ cup powdered sugar Creates a delicate texture.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold Cold butter equals a perfect crumbly topping.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest Extra burst of LEMON flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Complements the lemon beautifully.
For the Lemon Mascarpone Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream Whipped into stiff peaks for airy goodness.
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature A creamy, tangy base for our filling.
- 2 cups powdered sugar Sweetens and thickens it all up.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest Brightens the flavor profile.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice Fresh juice to balance that richness.
Instructions
Make the Vanilla Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour your cake pans.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla, mixing until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and pour the batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
Prepare the Crumb Topping
- In a bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter until it resembles small crumbs.
- Toss in the lemon zest and vanilla, then spread on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden.
Prepare the Lemon Mascarpone Cream Filling
- Beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
- Blend the mascarpone with the powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream.
Assemble the Cake
- Once the cakes cool completely, place one layer on a serving plate.
- Spread a generous amount of the whipped mascarpone filling on top.
- Add the second layer and repeat.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping all over and let it cascade down the sides.
