Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake Recipe

Imagine the harmonious collision of tangy lemon with the sweet taste of strawberries, all wrapped up in a fluffy cake. This strawberry swirl lemon cake is a heavenly delight that brings together sweet and sour flavors in the most delightful way, offering an irresistible treat for all seasons.

Photos of Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake Recipe

The ingredients for this recipe are fairly simple and can be found in most supermarkets. However, make sure to pick up some fresh strawberries for the jam or opt for a good quality store-bought one. Also, don't forget to grab a couple of fresh lemons to ensure that zingy lemon flavor shines through in your cake.

Ingredients for Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

Cream cheese: A tangy, creamy ingredient that forms a substantial part of the swirl filling.

Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream cheese filling and is also used in making the lemon glaze.

Vanilla extract: Gives an added depth of flavor to the cream cheese filling and cake batter.

Strawberry jam: Used for the strawberry swirl, imparting a sweet, fruity flavor to the cake.

All purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure.

Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake batter.

Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.

Salt: A flavor enhancer for the cake batter.

Eggs: Adds structure, flavor and helps the cake rise.

Milk: Adds moisture to the cake batter.

Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cake batter.

Lemon: Used in both the cake batter and glaze, adding a fresh, tangy flavor.

One reader, Cristiano Carver says:

This strawberry swirl lemon cake recipe is a game-changer! The combination of tangy lemon and sweet strawberry is simply divine. The cream cheese filling adds a rich and creamy texture, making every bite a delightful experience. Plus, the lemon glaze is the perfect finishing touch. A must-try for all dessert lovers!

Cristiano Carver

Techniques Required for Making a Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

How to make cream cheese filling: Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix until smooth. Set aside.

How to reduce strawberry jam: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the strawberry jam until it is reduced by half, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

How to make cake batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Whisk until fully incorporated. Stir in lemon zest and juice.

How to pipe the jam and cream cheese filling: Transfer the reserved cream cheese filling and reduced jam to 2 piping bags fitted with round tips or zip-top bags with a corner cut off. Starting in the center, pipe a layer of jam in a spiral shape, moving towards the outside of the cake. Pipe a layer of cream cheese filling on top of the jam, following the swirl as closely as possible.

How to make lemon glaze: Combine powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Whisk until a smooth glaze forms.

How to remove cake from the pan: Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, carefully remove it from the pan.

How to allow the glaze to set: Allow the glazed cake to sit until the glaze sets before serving.

How To Make Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

Sweetness from the strawberries and tanginess from the lemon embodies this rich and moist, cream-cheese filled lemon cake!

Preparation: 20 minutes

Cooking: 50 minutes

Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

For Cream Cheese Filing:

8ozcream cheese
½cuppowdered sugar
1tspvanilla extract
18ozstrawberry jam,(1 jar)

For Cake Batter:

3cupsall purpose flour
1cupgranulated sugar
4tspbaking powder
¼tspsalt
2large eggs
1⅓cupsmilk
½cupbutter,(1 stick), melted
2tspvanilla extract
1lemon,zested
1lemon,juiced

For Lemon Glaze:

2cupspowdered sugar
1lemon,zested
1lemon,juiced

Instructions

Grease an 11-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.

Cream Cheese Filing:

In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fully incorporated and smooth. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the strawberry jam for about 20 minutes until reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

Cake Batter:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and whisk to combine.
Add the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla and whisk until fully incorporated. Stir in the lemon zest and juice.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Transfer the reserved cream cheese filling and reduced jam to 2 piping bags fitted with round tips or zip-top bags with a corner cut off.
Starting in the center, pipe in a layer of jam in a spiral shape, moving towards the outside of the cake. Pipe a layer of cream cheese filling on top of the jam, following the swirl as closely as possible.
Bake for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow the cake to come to room temperature before removing from cake pan.

Lemon Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a medium bowl and whisk until a smooth glaze forms.
Remove the cooled cake from the pan and evenly pour over the glaze. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 846.06kcal
Fat: 24.32g
Saturated Fat: 14.00g
Trans Fat: 0.47g
Monounsaturated Fat: 6.28g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.38g
Carbohydrates: 148.76g
Fiber: 2.78g
Sugar: 96.63g
Protein: 10.05g
Cholesterol: 112.25mg
Sodium: 417.55mg
Calcium: 281.68mg
Potassium: 256.46mg
Iron: 3.30mg
Vitamin A: 239.80µg
Vitamin C: 20.98mg

Helpful Technique for Perfecting the Strawberry Swirl

When making the cream cheese filling, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will make it easier to mix with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, resulting in a smoother and creamier texture. For the strawberry jam, reducing it on medium heat allows the flavors to concentrate, enhancing the overall taste of the cake. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent it from burning. When adding the lemon zest and juice to the cake batter, ensure to only use the yellow part of the lemon peel, as the white pith underneath is bitter. Lastly, when applying the lemon glaze, pour it over the cake while it's still slightly warm. The heat will help the glaze seep into the cake, making it more flavorful and moist.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe

Prepare the filling: To save time, consider preparing the cream cheese filling and strawberry jam reduction ahead of time and storing them in the refrigerator until ready to use.

One-bowl mixing: Opt for a one-bowl mixing method for the cake batter to minimize cleanup and streamline the preparation process.

Pre-sift dry ingredients: Pre-sift the dry ingredients for the cake batter in advance, so they are ready to use when you begin mixing the batter.

Multi-task: While the cake is baking, use that time to prepare the lemon glaze, allowing you to efficiently complete the final step of the recipe.

Chill the cake: After pouring the glaze over the cake, place it in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process, allowing you to serve the cake sooner.

Substitute Ingredients For Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake Recipe

cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can provide a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture to the cream cheese while reducing the fat content.
strawberry jam - Substitute with raspberry jam: Raspberry jam can provide a similar fruity sweetness and vibrant color to the cake, complementing the lemon flavor.
all purpose flour - Substitute with cake flour: Cake flour will result in a lighter and more tender cake texture compared to all-purpose flour.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a natural sweetener with a slightly caramel-like flavor, adding depth to the cake.
baking powder - Substitute with baking soda: If using baking soda, it should be combined with an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice to activate the leavening process.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding a subtle coconut flavor to the cake.
powdered sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar can provide a unique sweetness and flavor to the glaze, adding a hint of maple to the lemon cake.

Best Way to Present a Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

Elevate the plating: When presenting the strawberry swirl lemon cake, focus on creating a visually stunning plate. Use a large, white, round plate to showcase the vibrant colors of the cake and glaze. Ensure that the cake is the focal point of the plate, with the glaze elegantly drizzled around the edges.
Garnish with fresh strawberries: Add a touch of freshness and elegance to the plate by garnishing with fresh strawberries. Slice the strawberries and arrange them artistically around the cake, creating a beautiful contrast against the lemon glaze and adding a pop of color.
Dust with powdered sugar: Before serving, delicately dust the plate with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar. This adds a touch of sophistication and complements the sweetness of the cake, creating an inviting presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: For an extra touch of refinement, consider incorporating edible flowers into the presentation. Choose delicate, colorful flowers that are safe for consumption and strategically place them around the cake for a visually stunning and gourmet touch.
Add a lemon twist: Enhance the visual appeal of the plate by adding a small, twisted slice of lemon as a decorative element. This not only adds a hint of citrus aroma but also elevates the overall presentation with a touch of finesse.
Use a gold leaf accent: For a luxurious and sophisticated presentation, consider adding a subtle touch of elegance with a carefully placed gold leaf. The shimmering gold leaf can be delicately positioned on the plate to create a visually striking and upscale presentation.
Create a mirror glaze effect: Elevate the presentation by incorporating a mirror glaze effect. Drizzle the lemon glaze in a circular motion on the plate, creating a reflective and visually captivating surface that beautifully complements the strawberry swirl lemon cake.

Essential Tools for Making a Lemon Cake with Strawberry Swirl

Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and mixing the cake batter.
Saucepan: A saucepan is used to cook and reduce the strawberry jam for the cake.
Piping bag: Piping bags are used to pipe the cream cheese filling and reduced jam onto the cake batter in a decorative swirl pattern.
Round cake pan: A round cake pan is used to bake the cake in the oven.
Whisk: A whisk is used to combine the dry ingredients and mix the cake batter.
Zester: A zester is used to grate the lemon zest for the cake batter and glaze.
Citrus juicer: A citrus juicer is used to extract the lemon juice for the cake batter and glaze.
Oven: An oven is used to bake the cake at the specified temperature.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is used to line the cake pan, preventing the cake from sticking.
Medium bowl: A medium bowl is used to mix the cream cheese filling for the cake.
Small bowl: A small bowl is used to make the lemon glaze for the cake.
Zip-top bag: Zip-top bags can be used as an alternative to piping bags for piping the cream cheese filling and reduced jam onto the cake batter.

Storing and Freezing Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

Allow the strawberry swirl lemon cake to cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the cake soggy.
To store the cake at room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. The cake will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature.
If you want to store the cake in the refrigerator, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. The cake will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. Keep in mind that the texture of the cake may change slightly when refrigerated.
To freeze the strawberry swirl lemon cake, follow these steps:
1. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, making sure to cover all sides and edges.
2. Place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.
3. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
4. Freeze the cake for up to 2 months.
When you're ready to serve the frozen cake, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, remove the plastic wrap and let the cake come to room temperature before serving.
If you want to freeze individual slices of the strawberry swirl lemon cake, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. This way, you can easily remove and thaw individual servings as needed.

How To Reheat Leftover Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover strawberry swirl lemon cake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cake is heated through and the cream cheese filling is warm and gooey.
For a quicker reheating method, place a slice of the strawberry swirl lemon cake on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until the cake is warm and the cream cheese filling is melted. Be careful not to overheat the cake, as it may become rubbery or dry.
If you want to maintain the texture and moisture of the cake, try reheating it in a steamer basket over simmering water. Place the leftover strawberry swirl lemon cake in the steamer basket, cover it with a lid, and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the cake is heated through and the cream cheese filling is warm and soft.
For a crispy exterior and a warm, gooey interior, try reheating a slice of the strawberry swirl lemon cake in a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C), place the cake slice on the toaster oven rack, and heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the cake is crispy on the outside and warm on the inside.
If you want to enjoy the strawberry swirl lemon cake cold, simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the cream cheese filling to soften slightly and the flavors of the lemon glaze and strawberry jam to intensify.

Interesting Trivia About Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake

The strawberry swirl lemon cake is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. It's a perfect dessert for special occasions or gatherings.

Is Making Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake at Home Cost-Effective?

This strawberry swirl lemon cake recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The use of common pantry staples and affordable ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs keeps the cost reasonable. However, the inclusion of cream cheese and strawberry jam may slightly elevate the overall cost. Considering the delightful flavors and the ability to serve a family of four, the approximate cost would be around $15-$20. Overall Verdict: 8/10

Is This Lemon Cake Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?

This strawberry swirl lemon cake recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. The cake contains a significant amount of sugar, butter, and cream cheese, which are high in calories and saturated fat. The strawberry jam, although providing some fruit, is also high in sugar. The lemon glaze adds even more sugar to the recipe. While the cake does include some nutritious ingredients like eggs, milk, and lemon, the overall balance leans towards an indulgent treat rather than a healthy snack.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Reduce the amount of sugar in the cake batter and cream cheese filling, or replace some of the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content
Replace some of the butter with Greek yogurt or applesauce to reduce the saturated fat
Use a sugar-free or low-sugar strawberry jam to decrease the overall sugar content
Opt for a lighter glaze made with less sugar and more lemon juice, or skip the glaze altogether and dust the cake with a small amount of powdered sugar instead

Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Lemon Cake Recipe

The combination of tangy lemon and sweet strawberry creates a delightful flavor profile in this cake. The cream cheese filling adds a luscious texture, and the lemon glaze provides a zesty finish. The swirl design adds visual appeal, making it a perfect dessert for special occasions. However, the recipe could benefit from specifying the size of the lemon for consistency. Overall, this recipe offers a tantalizing treat that is sure to impress with its balance of flavors and textures.

Enhance Your Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Create a creamy and flavorful roasted garlic mashed potatoes to complement the tangy sweetness of the strawberry swirl lemon cake.

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Serve up some grilled asparagus with a zesty lemon twist to balance out the richness of the cream cheese filling in the cake.

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts: Whip up some balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts for a savory and slightly sweet side dish to contrast the fruity flavors of the dessert.

Similar Recipes to Try If You Love This Lemon Cake

Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken: This flavorful and juicy roasted chicken is infused with the tangy taste of lemon and the aromatic essence of garlic, creating a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Mango Avocado Salsa: This refreshing and vibrant salsa combines the sweetness of mango with the creamy texture of avocado, creating a delightful topping for grilled fish or a tasty dip for tortilla chips.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of this creamy tomato basil soup, made with ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of cream for a velvety smooth texture that will warm your soul.

Appetizers and Main Dishes to Serve with This Lemon Cake Recipe

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Impress your guests with these savory stuffed mushrooms, filled with a delicious mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and herbs. The perfect bite-sized appetizer to kick off any meal.

Caprese Skewers: Elevate your appetizer game with these colorful and flavorful Caprese skewers. Alternate cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves on skewers, then drizzle with balsamic glaze for a refreshing and elegant starter.

Main Courses:

Grilled Salmon: Impress your guests with a perfectly grilled salmon fillet, served with a tangy citrus salsa and a side of roasted asparagus. The combination of flavors and textures will leave everyone satisfied and coming back for more.

Stuffed Bell Peppers: Elevate your dinner table with these delicious stuffed bell peppers, filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, quinoa, and a variety of colorful vegetables. Top it off with a sprinkle of cheese and a drizzle of homemade marinara sauce for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Why trust this Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake Recipe:

This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. The strawberry jam and cream cheese filling provide a luscious and indulgent contrast, while the lemon zest and juice add a refreshing citrusy zing. The careful layering of the fillings ensures a beautiful swirl pattern, creating an eye-catching dessert. With the use of high-quality ingredients such as fresh strawberries and real butter, this recipe promises a delectable and trustworthy outcome that will surely impress anyone who tries it.

Want to share your experience making this Strawberry Swirl Lemon Cake or discuss variations on the recipe? Join our Baking and Desserts forum and connect with fellow baking enthusiasts!

FAQ:

How long does it take to make the strawberry swirl lemon cake?

The total time to make the strawberry swirl lemon cake is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including preparation and baking time.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry jam?

Yes, you can use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry jam. Simply mash the fresh strawberries and cook them down until they are reduced by half, then use them as a substitute for the jam in the recipe.

Can I make the cake in advance and store it for later?

Yes, you can make the cake in advance and store it for later. Once the cake has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze the strawberry swirl lemon cake?

Yes, you can freeze the strawberry swirl lemon cake. Wrap the cooled and unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the cake in the refrigerator before serving.

Can I omit the lemon glaze?

Yes, you can omit the lemon glaze if you prefer. The cake will still be delicious without it, or you can substitute it with a different glaze or frosting of your choice.