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The Easiest Cream Cheese Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 39 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This is a rich and creamy cake that is surprisingly easy to make, featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and butter, resulting in a moist, dense texture with a delicate vanilla flavor. Perfect for a special occasion or a comforting dessert, it requires minimal preparation but a longer baking time at a low temperature to achieve its signature soft crumb.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 sticks (2 cups) butter, softened
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 7 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups cake flour


Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or bundt pan thoroughly to ensure the cake does not stick during baking.
  2. Cream Ingredients: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and sugar. Continue mixing until the blend is smooth and well combined, which will take about 7 minutes.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully. Then stir in the vanilla extract until evenly mixed.
  4. Incorporate Flour: Slowly add the cake flour to the wet mixture, mixing gradually on low speed or by hand until just combined, ensuring no flour pockets remain.
  5. Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cake is ready when it is golden on the outside, firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
  • Do not overmix after adding the flour to maintain cake tenderness.
  • Baking at a low temperature for a longer time helps achieve a dense, creamy texture without cracking.
  • Use a toothpick test to check doneness instead of relying solely on baking time.
  • This cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.