Description
Bright, creamy, and irresistibly simple, Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is the ultimate fuss-free dessert. With zesty lemon flavor, pockets of sweet cream cheese, and a buttery, golden topping, this cake delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just treating yourself, this dessert is as easy as it is delicious—just dump, bake, and enjoy!
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Ingredients
For the Dump Cake:
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1 can (21 oz) lemon pie filling
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1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or lemon cake mix
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1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed and softened
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra brightness)
Optional for Serving:
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Powdered sugar for dusting
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Whipped cream
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Vanilla ice cream
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Fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a bit of butter.
Step 2: Layer the Lemon Pie Filling
Pour the entire can of lemon pie filling into the bottom of the greased baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese Layer
In a small bowl, mix the cubed cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Gently spoon the sweetened cream cheese mixture over the lemon filling, spreading it out as evenly as possible. It doesn’t need to cover the whole surface—some gaps are fine.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the cream cheese and lemon layers. Do not stir—just make sure the entire surface is covered with a light, even layer.
Step 5: Add Butter and Lemon Zest
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as you can—this helps form that golden, crisp topping. For extra lemony goodness, sprinkle the lemon zest over the top.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly around the edges. The cream cheese will create rich pockets throughout the cake.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. It can be enjoyed warm, room temperature, or chilled. Top with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Use Room Temp Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese melts more evenly for creamy bites.
Cover with Butter – Drizzle melted butter as evenly as possible to avoid dry cake mix patches.
Try Different Cake Mixes – Lemon cake mix boosts the citrus flavor; yellow cake is more classic.
Don’t Stir – This “dump and bake” method works best when you don’t mix the layers together.
Serve Warm – It’s gooey and comforting when warm, especially with a scoop of ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: American