If you’re looking for the kind of dessert that turns any meal into a celebration, look no further than Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible. This sublime classic brings together the richness of butter, creaminess of cream cheese, and that sweet, melt-in-your-mouth crumb everyone craves. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite — the sort of cake that always gets recipe requests and disappears faster than you can say “slice, please!” Whether served simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or dressed up with fruits and glaze, this creamy cake fits every occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible so special is its line-up of accessible, kitchen-staple ingredients. Each one brings something important to the table — from texture to taste — with not a single filler in sight!
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Lends a rich flavor base and a tender crumb when creamed with the other ingredients.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): The signature element providing luscious creaminess and slight tang that sets this cake apart.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the cake and helps create a light, fluffy texture in the batter.
- Large eggs (4): Bind everything together and add structure for a tall, proud cake.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Rounds out the flavors, enhancing both the butter and cream cheese.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Forms the sturdy, soft base upon which the other ingredients shine.
- Baking powder (1 1/2 teaspoons): Gives the cake lift for a beautiful, airy result.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and pops the flavors.
- Milk (1/4 cup): Adds moisture, giving the crumb its irresistible, just-right density.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting): The final touch for a delicate, bakery-style finish.
How to Make Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F. While it heats, generously grease and flour a 10-cup bundt pan (or standard loaf pan). This ensures the cake releases beautifully after baking, giving you those gorgeous, well-defined edges that make bundt cakes such a showstopper.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat them together until the mixture is silky-smooth and a little fluffy. This step lays the foundation for the cake’s signature creamy interior as the fats blend perfectly together.
Step 3: Add Sugar and Eggs
Slowly beat in the granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale, light, and looks almost whipped. Then, add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before moving on to the next. This method ensures a stable, even structure for your batter — no dense or gummy spots here!
Step 4: Incorporate the Vanilla
Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse a comforting warmth and round out the tang of the cream cheese and richness of the butter. This one little ingredient makes all the difference in achieving the classic taste of Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible.
Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and helps avoid any lumps — a small step that yields a perfectly textured cake every time.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be gentle here; overmixing can make the cake tough instead of tender. When finished, the batter will be thick, creamy, and dreamy.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The wait is pure anticipation as those incredible aromas fill your kitchen!
Step 8: Cool and Finish
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then flip it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. If you’re after that classic bakery touch, dust the top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving, and watch the compliments roll in.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible
Garnishes
The simplest way to highlight the richness of Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible is with a gentle snowfall of powdered sugar. For extra flair, top with fresh berries, a citrus glaze, or curls of white or dark chocolate for an elegant finish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Side Dishes
This cake is sensational solo, but it also welcomes company! Pair slices with a bowl of lightly sweetened whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a tangy fruit compote. These sides offer a refreshing contrast to the cake’s creamy decadence and make each plate feel restaurant-worthy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try cutting the cake into cubes and serving as petit fours, or layer it with lemon curd or berry preserves in a trifle. You could even turn it into a showpiece by slicing and stacking with fresh fruit between the layers — Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible really does lend itself to whatever you dream up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cake fresh and moist, wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you’re better off keeping it in the refrigerator, where it will stay perfect for up to a week. Either way, Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible maintains its irresistible texture day after day.
Freezing
This cake freezes excellently! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap the whole cake (or individual slices) in several layers of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Pop it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When a craving hits, just thaw overnight in the fridge and dust with powdered sugar before serving — you’ll hardly know it wasn’t fresh-baked that morning!
Reheating
If you like your cake slightly warm, just microwave a slice for about 10–15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked aroma and a little extra softness. For a whole cake, pop it in a 300°F oven (covered loosely with foil) for about 15 minutes to gently refresh it.
FAQs
Can I add flavors or mix-ins to this cake?
Absolutely! Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible makes a wonderful base for add-ins. Try folding in lemon or orange zest, mini chocolate chips, or even swirls of berry puree before baking for a fun twist.
What kind of cream cheese works best?
Full-fat block cream cheese is the gold standard for creaminess and bake-stability. Avoid whipped or low-fat versions, which can affect the cake’s texture and richness.
Do I have to use a bundt pan?
No bundt pan? No problem! A standard loaf pan works beautifully, though you may want to check doneness a little earlier. You can also use a tube pan or divide the batter among smaller pans (just reduce the bake time accordingly).
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free, too. The results are still moist, rich, and recognizable as Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible!
How do I know when the cake is fully baked?
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should look lightly golden and slightly spring back if gently pressed. Trust your senses and don’t overbake for maximum moistness!
Final Thoughts
With its rich flavor, dense-yet-tender crumb, and tried-and-true method, Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible is the kind of dessert you come back to again and again. I hope you’ll make it for your next celebration, quiet weekend, or sweet craving — and that it becomes a cherished favorite in your own kitchen, too!
Print
Cream Cheese Cake : Decadent, Easy & Irresistible Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent richness of this Cream Cheese Cake. With a moist and fluffy texture, this easy-to-make dessert is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for any occasion, this classic recipe is simply irresistible.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
Optional:
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F and prepare pan.
- Mix Butter and Cream Cheese: Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Sugar and Eggs: Beat in sugar, then eggs one at a time.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan, bake for 60–70 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Cool in pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- This cake is delicious on its own or with a glaze or fresh berries.
- For a citrus twist, add 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
