The Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe You’ll Adore

My grandma’s secret lemon cream cheese dump cake always makes everyone at the table lean forward with anticipation.

Memories of her kitchen flood back whenever I smell this delightful dessert.

Simple ingredients come together in magical ways with minimal effort required.

Each scoop promises a zesty, creamy adventure that dances between tangy and sweet.

Weekend baking doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this incredible treat.

Curious bakers will adore how quickly this dessert comes together with just a few pantry staples.

Why Lemon Dump Cake Tastes So Bright

• Quick Dessert Solution: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour, delivering a delicious treat with minimal time investment and maximum flavor.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: The combination of tangy lemon, rich cream cheese, and sweet cake mix creates a universally appealing dessert that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Versatile Serving Option: Ideal for casual family gatherings, potlucks, or as a simple weekend dessert that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature with minimal fuss.

Lemon Dump Cake With Cream Cheese Contents

• Lemon Pie Filling: Provides the tangy, sweet fruit foundation for the cake, creating a bright citrus flavor profile.
• Milk: Helps to soften and blend ingredients smoothly, adding moisture to the cake mix.

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and a subtle tanginess, best when softened at room temperature.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a golden, crisp top and adds richness to the cake, melted for easy mixing.

• Yellow Cake Mix, Lemon Cake Mix: Serves as the primary cake base, offering convenience and consistent texture, yellow or lemon can be used based on preference.

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake How-To

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Fire up your oven to 350°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter coating to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Spread the Tangy Lemon Base

Take your lemon pie filling and create an even, sunny layer across the bottom of the baking dish.

Make sure it covers the entire surface with its bright, citrusy goodness.

Step 3: Dot with Creamy Cheese Chunks

Slice your cream cheese into small cubes and scatter them playfully across the lemon filling.

These little white treasures will melt and create pockets of rich, tangy creaminess.

Step 4: Shower with Cake Mix

Grab your dry cake mix and gently sprinkle it over the entire surface.

Let it fall like a soft, sweet snow blanket covering the lemon and cream cheese layers.

Step 5: Drench with Buttery Goodness

Melt your butter and mix it with milk.

Slowly pour this liquid gold over the cake mix, ensuring every inch gets moistened.

The mixture will look a bit messy – that’s exactly how it should be!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

You’re looking for a golden, bubbly top that promises delicious caramelization and a hint of crispy edges.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven.

This allows the layers to settle and makes serving easier.

Scoop out generous portions and watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first bite!

Lemon Dump Cake – Cream Cheese Blending Tips

• Pat cream cheese cubes dry before adding to reduce excess moisture and ensure a crisp cake texture.
• Swap lemon pie filling with other fruit preserves like raspberry or blueberry for unique taste variations.
• Gently press cake mix down after sprinkling to create a more uniform and slightly compact surface.
• Replace milk and butter with coconut milk and vegan butter for a lactose-free version of the dump cake.
• Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or top with fresh whipped cream to elevate the presentation and add a creamy element.

Store Dump Cake And Warm Up Softly

• Store cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individual slices or entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, preserving taste for 2-3 months.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds, or place in oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Allow frozen cake to thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, maintaining its delightful texture and flavor.

What Complements Lemon Cream Dump Cake

• Brew Zesty Herbal Tea: Steep a refreshing lemon verbena or chamomile tea that complements the cake's bright citrus notes and cuts through its rich, creamy texture.
• Pair with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop cold, smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the warm cake to create a delightful temperature contrast and enhance the dessert's creamy sweetness.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Sprinkle fresh raspberries or blueberries around the cake to add a tangy, juicy element that balances the dessert's dense, buttery profile.
• Serve with Whipped Lavender Cream: Dollop light lavender-infused whipped cream on top to introduce a subtle floral undertone that elevates the lemon's bright flavor.

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake with Tangy Upgrades

• Gluten-Free Lemon Delight: Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free yellow cake mix. Use lactose-free cream cheese for dairy-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Citrus Dream: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut cream cheese and plant-based butter. Use vegan yellow cake mix and almond milk for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Zesty Option: Select sugar-free lemon pie filling and use a sugar-free cake mix. Add monk fruit sweetener for additional sweetness without extra calories.
• Almond Flour Alternative: Swap traditional cake mix with almond flour blend and add extra lemon zest. Include sliced almonds on top for added crunch and texture.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake?

The key ingredients are lemon pie filling, cream cheese, dry cake mix, melted butter, and milk. These simple components create a delicious and easy dessert with minimal preparation.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?

Absolutely! Dump cakes are incredibly forgiving and require no special baking skills. You simply layer ingredients and bake, making it perfect for those who are new to baking or want a quick dessert.

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

Yes, you can substitute store-bought pie filling with homemade lemon pie filling. Just ensure the consistency is similar and spread it evenly in the baking dish.

• How do I know when the dump cake is fully baked?

Look for a golden brown top and bubbling edges. The cake should look set and slightly crispy on top, which typically takes 40-45 minutes in a 350°F oven.

Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern comfort meets tangy brilliance in this lemon cream cheese dump cake, a simple dessert that combines creamy richness with zesty citrus charm. Effortless preparation and irresistible flavor make you crave each delightful, moist bite of this homestyle treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) yellow or lemon cake mix
• 1 can (21 ounces / 595 grams) lemon pie filling
• 1 package (8 ounces / 227 grams) cream cheese, cubed

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray.
2. Create an even foundation by spreading the tangy lemon pie filling across the entire bottom of the baking dish.
3. Distribute small, uniform cream cheese chunks strategically over the lemon filling, ensuring balanced coverage.
4. Gently cascade the dry yellow cake mix across the surface, allowing it to form a powdery white layer.
5. Drizzle melted butter and milk uniformly over the cake mix, encouraging complete moisture absorption.
6. Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges.
7. Remove from oven and allow the dessert to rest and slightly cool, which helps the layers settle and flavors meld together before serving.

Notes

• Softening cream cheese at room temperature helps achieve smoother, more evenly distributed cubes throughout the dessert.
• Use full-fat cream cheese for richer texture and more decadent flavor profile that enhances the lemon’s tanginess.
• Consider substituting gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
• Adjust butter quantity slightly if using dairy-free alternatives to maintain proper moisture and golden-brown top.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 303
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 305 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg