Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

A lemon cream cheese dump cake that bursts with citrusy brightness and creamy richness, promising a dessert that defies expectations.

Tossing simple ingredients into a pan without complicated mixing or precise techniques.

This magical creation combines tangy lemon zest with smooth cream cheese for a surprisingly effortless treat.

Forget complicated baking methods that stress you out and require culinary expertise.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that dance across your palate.

Minimal effort meets maximum deliciousness in this foolproof dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

You’ll impress everyone with this seemingly sophisticated yet incredibly simple confection that comes together in minutes.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience a dessert that will become your new favorite go-to recipe.

Great Pairings For Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Pair with Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, bright Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the lemon's tangy notes, enhancing the cake's citrusy flavor profile.
• Match with Refreshing Beverage: Serve alongside a chilled glass of homemade lemonade or sparkling lemon water to amplify the citrus experience and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Garnish with Creamy Topping: Top the warm cake with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the cake's rich, buttery texture and add a cool, smooth element.
• Complement with Light Dessert: Serve a small side of lemon sorbet or fresh berries to cut through the cake's sweetness and provide a palate-cleansing finish.

Easy Variations For Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Berry Bliss Dump Cake: Swap lemon pie filling with mixed berry preserves, use vanilla cake mix, and add fresh raspberries on top for a fruity summer sensation.
• Tropical Paradise Edition: Replace lemon filling with crushed pineapple, use coconut cake mix, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes before baking for a vacation-inspired dessert.
• Chocolate Cream Dream: Substitute lemon pie filling with chocolate pudding, use chocolate cake mix, and add chocolate chips across the top for an indulgent chocolate lover's treat.
• Caramel Pecan Delight: Layer caramel sauce instead of lemon filling, use yellow cake mix, and scatter chopped pecans over the top for a rich, nutty version of the classic dump cake.

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Questions Answered

• What makes this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake so easy to prepare?

This recipe is incredibly simple because you literally “dump” the ingredients into the baking dish without any complicated mixing or complex steps. There’s no need for multiple bowls or precise measuring – just layer the ingredients and bake!

• Can I use homemade lemon pie filling instead of store-bought?

While store-bought lemon pie filling works best for consistent results, you can definitely use homemade filling. Just ensure it has a similar consistency and spreadability to help the cake bake evenly.

• Why does the recipe use a dry cake mix directly on top of the filling?

The dry cake mix absorbs the melted butter and moisture from the pie filling during baking, creating a unique crumbly, tender topping that develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. This method helps create the signature dump cake texture without traditional cake mixing.

• Is this dessert more like a cake or a pie?

This dessert is a hybrid that combines elements of both cake and pie. It has a gooey, creamy lemon base like a pie, but with a crumbly cake-like topping, creating a delightful texture that’s somewhere between a cake and a cobbler.

Why Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Tastes So Bright

• Simplify Baking: This dump cake revolutionizes dessert preparation by eliminating complex mixing steps, allowing anyone to create a delicious treat with minimal effort and just a few ingredients.
• Burst of Citrusy Comfort: The combination of tangy lemon pie filling and soft cream cheese creates a vibrant, creamy dessert that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and zesty flavors in every bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in under an hour, this dessert is ideal for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous sweet cravings, offering maximum flavor with minimal kitchen time.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, making it adaptable for various occasions and personal preferences.

What Goes Into Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Lemon Pie Filling: Provides a tangy, smooth base with bright citrus flavor, key to the cake's moisture and zesty profile.
• Dry Lemon Cake Mix: Gives structure and classic lemon cake taste, easy foundation for the dump cake.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and subtle tanginess, creates delightful pockets of dairy goodness.

• Melted Butter: Ensures even moistness, helps cake mix crisp and brown, provides rich golden color.

• Whipped Cream: Optional creamy topping that complements the cake's citrus notes.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Optional cool, sweet accompaniment that balances the cake's tangy flavors.

• Fresh ingredients enhance the overall taste and texture of the dump cake.
• Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly into the cake.
• Choose a high-quality lemon cake mix for best results.

How To Make Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Canvas

Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a loving coat of non-stick spray. Crank up the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C), letting it warm up while you work your magic.

Step 2: Create Magical Layers

Spread out the tangy lemon pie filling across the bottom of your baking dish like a smooth, sunny blanket. Next, playfully dot the surface with cubed cream cheese, creating little pockets of creamy goodness.

Step 3: Shower with Cake Mix Magic

Gently rain down the dry lemon cake mix over the cream cheese and lemon filling. Make sure it covers everything like a light, fluffy snowfall.

Step 4: Drench with Buttery Goodness

Drizzle melted butter across the top, ensuring every inch gets a golden touch. The butter will help create a crispy, dreamy top layer that’ll make mouths water.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let it transform for 35-40 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown top that bubbles with excitement.

Step 6: Cool and Indulge

Let the cake rest and cool slightly. This gives the layers a chance to settle and become even more delicious. Serve it warm and invite some whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the party if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Top Tips For Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Boost Moisture Magic: Add an extra layer of cream cheese for a richer, creamier texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customize Flavor Punch: Swap lemon pie filling with other flavors like blueberry or cherry to create unique variations of this easy dessert.
• Perfect Butter Distribution: Use melted butter slowly and evenly to ensure every inch of the cake mix gets a delicious golden coating.
• Storage Savvy Tip: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating slightly before serving to restore its soft texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free lemon cake mix to make this dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

How To Store And Reheat Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Refrigerate: Store leftover lemon cream cheese dump cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
• Reheat in Oven: Warm individual slices at 150C (300F) for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Covering with aluminum foil helps prevent edges from becoming too crispy.
• Microwave Option: Reheat single servings for 20-30 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and add additional 10-second intervals if needed for desired warmth.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy, tangy lemon cream cheese dump cake delivers a delightful dessert experience that blends simplicity with irresistible flavor. Effortless preparation and zesty notes make this cake a perfect treat for casual gatherings or sweet afternoon indulgences you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (432 g / 15.25 ounces) lemon cake mix
• 1 can (540 ml / 21 ounces) lemon pie filling
• 225 g (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 175C (350F) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create the first layer by spreading lemon pie filling across the entire bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring even coverage and smooth distribution.
3. Distribute small cubes of cream cheese randomly over the lemon pie filling, allowing them to nestle into the creamy base and create pockets of tangy richness.
4. Generously dust the dry lemon cake mix over the cream cheese and pie filling layer, making certain the entire surface is covered with an even, light coating.
5. Gently drizzle melted butter across the cake mix, aiming to saturate as much of the powdery surface as possible to help create a crisp, golden topping.
6. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges that indicate the cake is perfectly cooked.
7. Remove from the oven and let the cake rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing the layers to settle and flavors to meld together before serving.
8. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

• Customize the cake’s tanginess by adjusting the amount of lemon pie filling, allowing for a more subtle or intense citrus flavor profile.
• Create a gluten-free version by using a gluten-free lemon cake mix and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Prevent soggy bottom layers by ensuring even butter distribution and avoiding overmixing when spreading ingredients in the baking dish.
• Enhance presentation by dusting the cooled cake with powdered sugar or garnishing with fresh lemon zest for a vibrant, professional touch.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg