Luscious Lemon Cheesecake Cake 🍋  
Bring a burst of sunshine to your dessert table with this vibrant treat that the whole family will love!  

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️  
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice  
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
- 1/2 cup sour cream  
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened  
- 1 large egg  
- Zest of 1 lemon  
- 1/2 cup milk  
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened  
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour  
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
- 1 cup granulated sugar  
- 2 teaspoons baking powder  
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cheesecake filling)  

Optional Lemon Glaze:  
- 12 tablespoons milk, as needed for consistency  
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice  
- 1 cup powdered sugar  

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳  
1. Prepare the Lemon Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 large egg, then stir in the vanilla extract, zest of the lemon, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.  
 
2. In another bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup of milk, until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.  

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and mix until creamy. Blend in the sour cream, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.  

4. Combine: Spoon the cheesecake filling over the lemon cake batter in the pan. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cheesecake filling into the lemon batter.  

5. Bake the Cake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.  

6. Prepare the Optional Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and enough milk to reach the desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake if desired.  

7. Serve: Slice and enjoy the delightful flavors of this lemon cheesecake cake!  

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎  
Per serving (1 slice):  
- Calories: Approximately 350 kcal  
- Carbohydrates: 42g  
- Protein: 6g  
- Fat: 18g  

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡  
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add more lemon zest or juice to the cheesecake filling.  
- This cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries on top!  

⏳ Preparation time 🍰  
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 50 minutes | Serving: 8 slices  

Enjoy this delightful dessert at your next family gathering—it's sure to be a hit! 🍰