Luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe for Sweet Bliss
Sweet and tangy lemon cream cheese dump cake promises a delightful twist on classic desserts.
Creamy layers meld perfectly with zesty citrus notes.
Forget complicated baking techniques that stress you out.
Minimal effort creates maximum flavor in this simple treat.
A single pan becomes your magic canvas for deliciousness.
Crumbly, moist textures will have everyone asking for seconds.
This recipe guarantees smiles around the table and zero complicated steps.
Reasons to Crave Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Ingredients to Gather for Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Cake Base:Topping:Preparation Essentials:Step Into Making Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a square baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray or brush it lightly with butter to prevent any sticky situations.
Step 2: Spread the Zesty Base
Open up the lemon pie filling and pour it into the prepared baking dish. Smooth it out so it covers every single corner of the pan, creating a tangy foundation for your dessert.
Step 3: Build the Cake Layers
Sprinkle half of the yellow cake mix over the lemon filling like you’re dusting a delicious landscape. Next, scatter cubed cream cheese across the mix.
Top it off with the remaining cake mix, creating a delightful blanket of sweetness.
Step 4: Butter Blanket
Arrange thin slices of butter across the top of the cake mix.
Create an overlapping pattern that looks like delicate butter shingles, ensuring every inch gets some buttery love.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven.
Let it bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean – no gooey surprise!
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Pull the cake out of the oven and let it chill in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes. This magical resting time allows flavors to mingle and makes cutting a breeze.
Serve up this lemony, creamy delight and watch everyone’s eyes light up!
Insider Tips to Nail Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Flavor Twists to Try with Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Perfect Pairings for Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
Keeping Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Fresh
FAQs
Yes, homemade lemon pie filling works perfectly. Just ensure it has a similar consistency to store-bought filling for the best results.
Cutting cream cheese into small cubes helps it distribute evenly and melt smoothly throughout the cake, creating delicious pockets of creaminess.
A rectangular 9×13 inch baking dish will work just fine. The recipe is flexible with baking dish sizes, so don’t worry about having the exact square pan.
While you can slightly reduce the butter, the full amount helps create a moist, rich texture and ensures the cake mix fully absorbs moisture during baking.
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Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Lemon cream cheese dump cake offers a delightful twist on classic desserts with minimal effort. Creamy, tangy layers combine effortlessly, inviting you to savor each zesty, comforting bite.
Ingredients
- 1 package (15 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 can (16 oz) lemon pie filling
- 1/2 cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, thinly sliced
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a square baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Spread lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Distribute half of the yellow cake mix over the lemon filling, creating an initial layer.
- Scatter cream cheese cubes uniformly across the cake mix layer, ensuring consistent distribution.
- Sprinkle the remaining cake mix over the cream cheese, creating a complete dry layer.
- Strategically place butter slices across the top of the cake mix, overlapping to maximize moisture coverage.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest for 15-20 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and facilitating easier serving.
Notes
- Swap yellow cake mix with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
- Enhance the lemon flavor by adding fresh lemon zest directly into the cake mix or sprinkling it on top before baking for an extra citrusy kick.
- Reduce sweetness by using low-sugar pie filling or partially substituting with fresh lemon juice and a small amount of sugar for a more balanced taste profile.
- Elevate the cream cheese texture by allowing it to soften at room temperature before cubing, which helps it distribute more evenly and create creamy pockets throughout the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 349
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 261 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR
ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR
Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.
Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.