Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe: No-Fuss Delight!

Baking a delightful lemon cream cheese dump cake brings pure joy to any dessert table.

This mouthwatering recipe combines tangy cream cheese with bright lemon flavors in a simple one-pan wonder.

Forget complicated techniques that leave you exhausted and frustrated.

With just a few ingredients, you can create a dessert that looks like it came from a professional bakery.

The magic happens when creamy layers meld together, creating a heavenly texture that melts in your mouth.

Crumbly, zesty, and incredibly easy to prepare, this cake promises to be a crowd-pleaser at every gathering.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that’s both impressive and stress-free.

Serve Dump Cake with Whipped Topping or Ice Cream

• Zesty Dessert Companion: Fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of powdered sugar will elevate the cake's tangy flavor and add a beautiful visual appeal.
• Creamy Cool Down: Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to balance the cake's rich, buttery texture and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elegant Presentation Twist: Garnish with fresh mint leaves or candied lemon zest for a sophisticated touch that adds color and a subtle aromatic dimension to the dessert.
• Brunch Perfect Pairing: Serve alongside a light chamomile tea or chilled prosecco to complement the cake's bright lemon notes and create a delightful morning or afternoon treat.

Keep This Cake Covered and Ready for Seconds

• Let the cake rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to help it set and prevent burning your mouth while allowing flavors to settle and mingle beautifully.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cool environment helps maintain the cake's moisture and prevents cream cheese from spoiling.
• Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying for best texture and taste.
• Serve slightly warm for a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth experience or at room temperature for a firmer cake consistency. Warm cake intensifies the buttery and lemony flavors, making each bite more decadent.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pie filling instead of lemon?

Yes, you can swap the lemon pie filling for other flavors like cherry, blueberry, or apple. Just make sure the filling complements the lemon cake mix.

• Do I need to mix the ingredients before baking?

No, this is a dump cake recipe. Simply layer the ingredients in the order specified without stirring. The cake will naturally combine during baking.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?

Absolutely! This 4-ingredient dump cake is incredibly easy to make. With minimal prep and no complicated mixing, even novice bakers can successfully create this dessert.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dump cake in advance and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if you’re starting with a cold dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 3540 minutes

Total Time: 59 hours 5 minutes

Calories: 260 kcal

Servings: 12

4-Ingredient Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Starts Here

• Lemon Pie Filling: Provides a tangy, zesty foundation that sets the dessert's bright flavor profile with its silky smooth texture.

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, velvety dimension to the cake, melting into luxurious pockets of creamy goodness during baking.
• Butter: Transforms the cake's texture, creating a golden, moist crumb and delivering deep, indulgent richness.

• Lemon Cake Mix: Delivers instant lemon flavor and creates a perfectly structured golden crust that binds all ingredients together.

Tools to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake a Breeze

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Essential for creating the perfect cake base and ensuring even baking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for preparing and arranging ingredients before layering.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting cream cheese and butter into small, even pieces.
• Measuring Cups: Helps with accurate ingredient distribution.
• Spatula or Butter Knife: Great for spreading lemon pie filling and distributing butter evenly.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dish.

Bake a Tart and Tangy 4-Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake

• Prepare Baking Station

Grab your baking dish and give it a quick spray of non-stick. Crank the oven to a toasty 350F, getting ready for some dessert deliciousness.

• Create Lemon Base

Pour the zesty lemon pie filling across the bottom of your dish, spreading it out like a sunny yellow carpet. This is where the flavor party begins.

• Dot With Cream Cheese

Break up the softened cream cheese into small chunks and sprinkle them playfully over the lemon layer. These little white islands will melt into creamy pockets of goodness.

• Dust With Cake Mix

Gently rain down the dry lemon cake mix over the cream cheese. No mixing required – just let it sit like a fluffy blanket waiting to transform.

• Butter It Up

Break the butter into small pieces and scatter them across the top. As it melts, it’ll create a golden, rich landscape that smells like heaven.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and let it dance for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown with some rustic cracks.

• Serve And Enjoy

Let the cake cool just a bit, then dive in. Serve it warm for maximum yumminess or let it reach room temperature for a more mellow treat.

Tips That Add Extra Zing to Your Lemon Cream Cake

• Let the cake rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help the layers settle and make cutting easier, ensuring clean and neat slices.
• For extra creaminess, gently drag a knife through the cream cheese before adding cake mix to create beautiful marbled patterns throughout the dessert.
• Replace standard lemon cake mix with a gluten-free version and ensure your pie filling is certified gluten-free to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Enhance the lemon profile by adding fresh lemon zest on top before baking or sprinkle powdered sugar for a delicate sweet finish that complements the tart undertones.
• This dump cake can be prepared in advance and refrigerated unbaked, then simply pop it in the oven when ready to serve, making it perfect for busy hosts who want a stress-free dessert option.

Effortless Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Quick classic lemon cream cheese dump cake delivers zesty citrus comfort in minimal prep time. Effortless dessert combines tangy cream cheese with bright lemon flavors you’ll devour eagerly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (432 g / 15.25 oz) lemon cake mix
• 1 can (540 ml / 21 oz) lemon pie filling
• 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
• ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick coating to prevent sticking.
2. Layering Foundation: Spread lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish, creating a smooth, comprehensive base for the cake.
3. Cream Cheese Distribution: Dice softened cream cheese into small, uniform cubes and sprinkle them uniformly over the lemon filling, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Cake Mix Coating: Gently blanket the entire surface with dry lemon cake mix, maintaining an untouched, powdery layer without disturbing the underlying ingredients.
5. Butter Placement: Slice butter into thin, delicate pieces and methodically arrange them across the cake mix, guaranteeing thorough and consistent dispersal.
6. Baking and Monitoring: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown surface and set texture. Anticipate potential rustic cracks signaling perfect doneness.
7. Cooling and Serving: Extract from the oven and allow brief cooling. Enjoy the dessert warm or at room temperature, savoring its versatile and delectable flavor profile.

Notes

• Prep Cream Cheese Perfectly: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cubing to ensure smooth, even distribution throughout the cake.
• Control Lemon Intensity: Adjust lemon pie filling quantity for stronger or milder citrus flavor, depending on personal preference and taste profile.
• Ensure Even Butter Coverage: Slice butter thinly and strategically place across cake mix to guarantee uniform moisture and golden-brown top during baking.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Watch for golden-brown edges and slightly set center; avoid overbaking to maintain a moist, creamy texture without drying out the cake.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg