Of course! The Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is the ultimate easy, comforting dessert that delivers a deliciously gooey and tangy result with almost no effort. It’s the perfect cross between a cake, a cobbler, and a cheesecake.
Here’s everything you need to know to make it.
The Essence of a Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake
As the name implies, you literally “dump” the ingredients into the pan. No mixing bowls, no creaming, no fuss. The magic happens in the oven where the cake mix forms a golden crust and the cream cheese and lemon meld into a luscious, creamy filling.
Classic Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe
This recipe is famously simple and uses common ingredients.
Ingredients:
· 1 (15.25 oz) box Lemon Cake Mix (or Yellow Cake Mix)
· 2 (21 oz total) cans Lemon Pie Filling or 1 (22 oz) can Lemon Curd (for a richer, tarter flavor)
· 1 (8 oz) package full-fat Cream Cheese, softened and cut into small cubes
· 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted Butter, cut into thin pats
· 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional, but highly recommended for texture)
· Optional Add-ins:
· 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for a fresh lemon boost)
· 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
· Sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
- Prepare:
· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
· Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar-sized oven-safe dish).
- The First “Dump” Layer:
· Spread the lemon pie filling (or lemon curd) evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- The Cream Cheese Layer:
· Scatter the cubed cream cheese evenly over the lemon layer.
- The Cake Mix Layer:
· Sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix evenly over the cream cheese and lemon layers. Do not stir!
· If you’re using the optional coconut or lemon zest, sprinkle it over the dry cake mix now.
- The Buttery Top Layer:
· Arrange the thin pats of butter as evenly as possible over the entire surface of the cake mix. This is the most important step for creating the crust. Try to cover most of the dry mix.
- Bake:
· Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the center is set.
· The top will look crumbly and crisp.
- Cool and Serve:
· Let the dump cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It will be extremely hot and needs time to set slightly.
· Serve it warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The contrast between the cold ice cream and the warm, gooey cake is divine.
Why This Method Works
· The Butter: As it melts, the butter soaks into the cake mix, causing it to steam and bake into a delicious, crumbly, cobbler-like topping.
· The Cream Cheese: It softens and bakes into soft, tangy pockets that swirl with the lemon filling.
· The Lemon Filling: It becomes bubbly and hot, creating a saucy, flavorful base.
Pro-Tips for the Best Dump Cake
· Don’t Mix! The key to the perfect texture is layering, not stirring. Let the oven do the work.
· Butter Coverage: For the best crust, try to cover about 90% of the dry cake mix with butter pats. Any large dry spots can remain powdery.
· Softened Cream Cheese: Using softened (but not melted) cream cheese ensures it blends slightly into the lemon layer instead of staying in distinct, firm chunks.
· Lemon Curd vs. Pie Filling: Lemon curd will give you a more intense, tart, and sophisticated lemon flavor. Lemon pie filling is thicker and sweeter, with a more custardy texture. Both are excellent!
· Check for Doneness: The cake is done when the top is a deep golden brown and the lemon filling is bubbling vigorously around the edges.
Delicious Variations
· Blueberry Lemon: Add a can of blueberry pie filling swirled with the lemon filling on the bottom layer.
· Raspberry Lemon: Use one can of lemon and one can of raspberry pie filling for a beautiful and tangy combination.
· Fresh Berry: Scatter 1-2 cups of fresh raspberries or blueberries over the lemon layer before adding the cream cheese.
· Ginger Snap Version: Substitute 1/2 of the cake mix with crushed ginger snap cookies for a warm, spicy twist.
· White Chocolate Macadamia: Use a yellow cake mix, add 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chopped macadamia nuts with the dry mix.
This cake is the definition of easy, crowd-pleasing comfort food. Enjoy your wonderfully messy and delicious creation