Skip to main content

Old-Time Lemon “Cheesecake”

While the recipe contains no actual cheese, Southerners have referred to this dessert as lemon cheesecake for generations. Go figure!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 16 to 20

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks butter
2 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks

Icing

9 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 pound (3 sticks) butter
Juice and zest of 4 lemons

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter; add sugar. Sift flour and baking powder together three times and add to butter alternately with milk and vanilla. Fold in egg whites. Bake in three greased 8-inch round pans for 35 minutes.

  2. Icing

    Step 2

    Mix all ingredients together and cook in double boiler until thick, approximately 20 minutes. Allow cake to cool. Spread icing in between layers and on entire outside of cake.

Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
A punchy, spicy peanut vinaigrette transforms a simply grilled steak into a showstopping main.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.