If you love desserts that bring a burst of bright, tangy flavor balanced with creamy richness, then this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe is exactly what you need in your life. It’s a brilliant mix of zesty lemon pie filling and velvety cream cheese topped with buttery cake mix that bakes into a golden, bubbly dream. What makes this recipe truly special is how incredibly easy it is to pull together—just a few simple ingredients, a single dish, and no complicated steps. Whether you’re new to baking or a dessert pro looking for a fuss-free crowd-pleaser, this cake is bound to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe plays an essential role, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness, zest, and luscious texture. These straightforward components come together to create a cake that’s moist, flavorful, and simply irresistible.
- Yellow cake mix (or lemon cake mix for extra lemon flavor): Provides a soft, cakey topping that crisps up beautifully when baked.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the cake mix brown evenly on top.
- Lemon pie filling: The star of the show, giving the cake its signature tangy and sweet lemon punch.
- Cream cheese, softened: Adds a creamy texture and a subtle tang that complements the lemon perfectly.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and balances the tartness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
- Egg: Binds the cream cheese mixture, giving it structure and richness.
- Lemon zest: Brings fresh, aromatic lemon essence to brighten every bite.
- Optional powdered sugar for dusting: Adds a pretty finish and extra sweetness when serving.
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish generously to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly smooth. This step sets the stage for an easy, stress-free baking experience.
Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture. This blend adds lusciousness and subtle sweetness that balances the tart lemon filling beautifully. Don’t rush this step; you want a silky consistency with no lumps.
Step 3: Spread the Lemon Filling
Pour and evenly spread the lemon pie filling into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. It forms a tangy, gooey layer that ensures each bite brims with citrusy delight. This layer is the heart of the cake, so take your time to smooth it out evenly.
Step 4: Add the Cream Cheese Layer
Gently pour the cream cheese mixture over the lemon filling. It may not cover every inch, but that’s perfect—it will meld into the fruit filling as it bakes, creating pockets of creamy goodness. The contrast between these layers is what makes this cake stand out.
Step 5: Top with Cake Mix and Butter
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer, then drizzle the melted butter across the top. This step ensures the cake topping becomes golden and crisp while soaking in just enough moisture to stay moist and tender beneath the surface.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges. The aroma filling your kitchen here will be enough to make you want to dive right in, but patience brings the best rewards!
How to Serve Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this cake from delicious to stunning, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar on top right before serving. A little twist of fresh lemon zest or a few thin slices of lemon can add a striking visual and boost the citrus aroma. Whipped cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream are wonderful finishing touches that pair beautifully with the cake’s texture.
Side Dishes
This dessert stands strong on its own, but if you want to create a full dessert platter, serve it alongside fresh berries or a mixed fruit salad. A cup of hot tea or a bold coffee also complements the tartness of the lemon and the richness of the cream cheese perfectly, making your dessert moment complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party presentation, try serving Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe in individual ramekins or mason jars. This makes a darling option for gatherings and allows guests to enjoy their own perfectly portioned treat. Another idea is to layer the cake with lemon curd and whipped cream to transform it into an elegant trifle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover lemon cream cheese dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Thanks to the cream cheese layer, refrigeration keeps everything fresh while preserving that wonderful creamy texture. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Freezing
Freeze any leftovers by wrapping the cake tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or transferring portions to freezer-safe containers. It will keep well for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy again, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm slightly to refresh the flavors and textures.
Reheating
To reheat, place a slice of cake in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm it in a low oven (around 300°F) until heated through. Reheating gently helps bring back that decadent creaminess and toasty cake topping just like when freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix instead of yellow or lemon?
Absolutely! While yellow or lemon cake mix work best to highlight the citrus flavor, you can experiment with white or even vanilla cake mix. Just keep in mind the flavor balance might shift slightly, but it will still be delicious.
Do I have to use cream cheese? Can it be substituted?
The cream cheese is key to achieving that luscious texture and subtle tang. If you’re in a pinch, a mixture of ricotta and mascarpone might work, but it won’t have quite the same richness or consistency.
Is this cake very sweet or tart?
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe strikes a lovely balance between sweet and tart. The lemon pie filling provides bright citrus notes, softened by the sweetness of the cake and cream cheese layers, making it perfect for those who enjoy a refreshing dessert.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
If you use a gluten-free yellow or lemon cake mix, this recipe can be adapted easily for gluten-free diets. Just double-check all other ingredients like the pie filling to ensure they’re gluten-free as well.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?
To soften cream cheese quickly, leave it out at room temperature for about an hour before mixing. If you’re short on time, cut the block into smaller pieces so it softens faster, or microwave it for 10-15 seconds on low power—just be careful not to melt it.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe is one of those magical desserts that feels effortlessly elegant while requiring barely any fuss. Its bright citrus flavor coupled with a rich, creamy layer and a golden cake topping makes it an absolute joy to serve and savor. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy night in, this recipe promises a delightful and delicious experience. Give it a try—I can’t wait for you to discover your new favorite lemon dessert!
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Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a delightful, easy-to-make dessert that combines the tangy brightness of lemon with the creamy richness of cream cheese. With a simple assembly process and a luscious golden crust created by cake mix and melted butter, this cake is perfect for any occasion where you want a quick, impressive sweet treat.
Ingredients
Fruit Layer
- 1.5 to 2 cans (21 oz each) lemon pie filling
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
Topping
- 1 box yellow cake mix (or lemon cake mix for extra lemon flavor)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Blend thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer Lemon Pie Filling: Spread the lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish, creating a flavorful base layer.
- Add Cream Cheese Layer: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the lemon pie filling, spreading it out evenly for a balanced texture.
- Add Cake Mix and Butter: Sprinkle the dry yellow or lemon cake mix evenly over the cream cheese layer. Then, drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the cake mix to help create a golden, crisp topping.
- Bake the Cake: Bake the assembled cake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before optionally dusting with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- Use lemon cake mix instead of yellow cake mix for a more intense lemon flavor.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature to ensure smooth mixing.
- The amount of lemon pie filling can be adjusted slightly based on your preferred tartness and juiceiness.
- Let the cake cool before dusting with powdered sugar to prevent melting.
- This dump cake requires no layering beyond spreading ingredients in the baking dish, making it very quick and easy to prepare.
