Cream Cheese Cake
Rich, moist, and irresistibly tender—this Cream Cheese Cake pairs a delicate crumb with velvety cream cheese frosting. Perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Cake
| Cream cheese, room temperature | 1 (8 oz) package |
|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | ¾ cup |
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups |
| Eggs | 3 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1½ teaspoons |
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1½ teaspoons |
| Buttermilk | 1¼ cups |
For the Frosting
| Butter, room temperature | 1 cup |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, room temperature | 1 (8 oz) package |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Powdered sugar | 4–5 cups (adjust to taste) |
Instructions
- Preheat & prepare: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the vegetable oil and granulated sugar and mix until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Bring batter together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined—do not overmix. Gently stir in the buttermilk until the batter is smooth.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely: Allow the cake to cool to room temperature in the pan before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- Make the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar (start with 4 cups), then add vanilla extract and salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar if a thicker consistency is desired.
- Frost & chill: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Refrigerate until set. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and frosting.
- For a lighter texture, fold 1 cup of softly whipped egg whites into the batter just before baking.
- Try a layer of strawberry compote or fresh fruit for a bright twist.
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 4 days.
