Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Lemon Cream Dream Bundt Cake

I made multiple modifications to this recipe, enough that I'm comfortable calling it my own. It came out totally amazing - the tart lemon glaze on the outside gives way to a mellow lemon interior and a ribbon of mild lemon cream cheese filling swirled through it. It travels well, is easy to serve and definitely appeals to the masses - there was not a crumb left of this cake even though there were several other treats to choose from as well.

Cake:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 egg yolks
2 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
zest of one lemon
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3 cups all purpose unbleached flour
1 cup milk

Cream Cheese filling:
8 ounces cream cheese
zest of one lemon
3 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar

Glaze:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan generously with cooking spray or grease and flour it. Prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese until smooth, then beating in the remaining ingredients. In another medium mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks, then the vanilla, baking powder, salt and lemon zest. Beat the flour and milk in alternately. Pour half the batter into the bundt pan, then spoon the cream cheese mixture in, avoiding the edges of the pan. Pour the remaining batter on top, making sure to cover the cream cheese completely (otherwise it'll bust through the crust of the cake and cause leaking in the oven).

Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The crust will be deeply golden, and that is just what you're looking for. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert on a wire rack. In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients and brush over the cake, making sure to completely coat it, until it is used up. Cool for another 30-45 minutes, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. May be served chilled or at room temperature, and it is most excellent with berries on the side.

2 comments:

Bethany said...

OH MY! this looks SOOOO good. i may make it tonight. is it time to enter another recipe contest? i hope you remember who I am and aren't freaked out about my comment!
-bethany (betnotbe)

Nurse Heidi said...

Hiya Bethany! 'Course I know who you are :). I was thinking this would be a great one to enter...just looking for the right contest. The Taste of Home one and Pillsbury bakeoff are both done for right now, so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.