Prepare the Cream Cheese: Begin by softening the cream cheese at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Once softened, place it in a mixing bowl and beat it with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip it, as this can cause the cream to separate.
Combine the Mixtures: Add the sweetener, vanilla extract, and optional lemon zest to the whipped cream cheese. Gently fold in the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Be sure to maintain the airiness of the whipped cream for the light, fluffy texture.
Chill and Serve: Transfer the mixture to a serving dish or individual bowls. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up slightly. Serve chilled.