Lemon Loaf with Cheesecake Swirl

This Lemon Loaf with Cheesecake Swirl is a must try for any lemon-lover. It combines the classic, tender texture of a loaf cake with a creamy cheesecake swirl, topped with a delicious lemon glaze! The combination of flavors is absolutely amazing and it’s sure to be your new favorite treat.

three slices of lemon loaf cake on a white plate

A bright lemon flavor like this dessert always reminds me of spring and summer, but you don’t have to wait for spring to enjoy this dessert because it’s great any day of the year! Plus, the lemon glaze takes the flavor over the top.

lemon loaf topped with glaze cut in half to show the inside

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This Lemon Loaf is perfect anytime of the year.
  • It has a refreshing lemon flavor, and the creamy cheesecake swirl makes it extra special.
  • Plus, it’s easy to make so even novice bakers can whip up this delicious treat!

🛒Ingredients

cake mix, oil, eggs, powdered sugar, sugar, and cream cheese on a marble backdrop

You only need a few simple ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. But, if you are happen to be missing one or two of these ingredients you can easily pick up the missing ingredient at your local grocery store.

  • lemon cake mix
  • lemon instant pudding & pie filling mix
  • water
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs
  • cream cheese
  • sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • flour
  • powdered sugar 
  • lemon juice

See the recipe card below for quantities.

🔪 How to Make Lemon Loaf Cake with Cheesecake Swirl

Making this simple loaf cake is so easy. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a simple yet tangy loaf cake in no time at all.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare your baking pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray a bread loaf pan with non-stick spray.

lemon cake batter being mixed with a whisk in a large glass measuring cup

Step 2: Mix together the batter ingredients

In a large bowl whisk together the cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, oil and 3 eggs until well combined.

Step 3: Make the cheesecake swirl

In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 egg, sugar, vanilla and flour.  Whisk together until smooth. 

cheesecake batter being swirled in a loaf pan

Step 4: Add the batter to the pan

Pour half of the lemon batter in the loaf pan. And, then pour all of the cream cheese mixture on top of the lemon cake batter.  Pour the remaining cake batter on top of the cream cheese mixture.  

Step 5: Bake the cake

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Step 6: Cool the cake slightly before removing from the pan

Cool 10 minutes; run a butter knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Carefully remove the cake from the pan and onto a cooling rack to cool completely. 

lemon loaf being glazed on a wire cooling rack

Step 7: Make the glaze

Combine the powdered sugar with the juice from half a lemon.  The glaze will be thick, but that is okay. Pour the glaze over the cake.

Step 8: Serve and enjoy

Slice and serve!

📝Variations

Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!

  • Juice: Replace the lemon juice in the glaze with orange or lime juice for a different citrus flavor.
  • Toppings: Add fresh fruit on top of the cake such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries for added sweetness and color.
  • Nuts: Try adding nuts to the batter for extra crunch and texture.

If you love lemon cake recipes like this one, then you may also enjoy this Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.

three slices of lemon loaf stacked on a small white plate

🥄 Equipment

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this soft loaf cake recipe. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this sweet treat.

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer
  • Loaf pan
  • Cooling rack

🥫 Storage

Once the cake has cooled, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze this cake for up to three months when it’s tightly wrapped and sealed.

💭 Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure that this lemon loaf cake recipe turns out perfectly for you.

  • Make sure you use room temperature ingredients when baking.
  • Be careful not to overmix the cake batter. Mix it until it is just combined.
  • Fresh fruit juice works best for this recipe.
  • Spray your loaf pan with baking spray, or grease it well with butter or shortening.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the lemon cake mix with any other flavor. However, keep in mind that it will alter the taste of your final product.

How do I store this lemon loaf cake?

Store your cooled cake at room temperature for three days or in the fridge for five days.

📌 PIN IT!!

slices of lemon loaf cake on a white plate

🍽 More Lemon Recipes

Do you enjoy lemon, try these delicious recipes:

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.

three slices of lemon loaf cake on a white plate

Lemon Loaf with Cheesecake Swirl

This Lemon Loaf with Cheesecake Swirl is tender, sweet, and full of a creamy cheesecake swirl that makes this cake out of the world delicious.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 Slices
Calories: 376kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer
  • Loaf pan
  • cooling rack

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounces lemon cake mix lemon cake mix
  • 3.4 ounces instant pudding & pie filling mix nstant pudding & pie filling mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs divided
  • 6 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons flour

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Lightly spray a bread loaf pan with non-stick spray.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, oil and 3 eggs until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 egg, sugar, vanilla and flour. Whisk together until smooth.
  • Pour half of the lemon batter in the loaf pan.
  • Pour all of the cream cheese mixture ontop of the lemon cake batter.
  • Pour the remaining cake batter ontop of the cream cheese mixture.
  • Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool 10 minutes; run a butter knife around the edge of the pan to loosen.
  • Carefully remove the cake from the pan and onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Make the glaze.
  • Combine the powdered sugar with the juice from half a lemon. The glaze will be thick, but that is okay.
  • Pour the glaze over the cake.
  • Slice and serve!

Notes

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 380mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg

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