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–+ servings
neiman marcus lemon cake
Linda Cain

Neiman Marcus Lemon Cake Recipe

One sunny afternoon, a friend of mine raved about the Neiman Marcus Lemon Cake. She had tasted it at a celebratory gathering and couldn’t stop talking about how the cake was rich, creamy, and balanced out with a perfect hint of tartness.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 24
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 246
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 to 1 cup of butter or 1/2 to 1 cup of margarine
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 18-ounce box of cake mix (choose chocolate or lemon for flavor)
  • 1 1-pound box of powdered sugar

Equipment

  • Cake pans
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans. This step is crucial to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and cream cheese until smooth. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. You want to create a fluffy texture that will add richness to the cake.
  3. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs contribute to the cake’s height and texture, so be thorough here.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the cake mix and sour cream. Gradually add this mixture to your wet batter using a spatula. Fold gently until just combined. This will prevent overmixing, which could lead to a tough cake.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Once cooled, frost the top of one cake layer with your choice of frosting (traditional cream cheese frosting works wonders). Place the second layer on top and frost the sides and top of the cake generously.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal

Notes

  • Sift Your Powdered Sugar: This removes lumps and results in a smoother frosting.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow your butter, eggs, and cream cheese to come to room temperature. This creates a more uniform batter.
  • Zest the Lemons: If you want a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding some lemon zest to your batter.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Stir until just combined to keep the cake fluffy.
  • Check Oven Temperature: An oven thermometer can ensure your cake bakes at the right temperature.

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