This BEST Lemon Dump Cake is filled with citrus flavor and layered with cream cheese and buttery cake. Add whipped cream on top for dessert perfection!
This post is all about how to make the BEST Lemon Dump Cake.
Lemon Dump Cake is tart, sweet, and creamy! It’s perfectly delicious and so easy to make. You’ll only need four ingredients: yellow cake mix, lemon pie filling, whipped cream cheese, and salted butter.
I recommend adding a dollop of whipped cream on top of each piece. However, that component is optional. And you can use lemon curd instead of pie filling if you prefer an immensely bold lemon flavor.
This dump cake is the ultimate dessert for any occasion because the layers of cake and cream cheese complement the tart lemon filling in a way that will please your taste buds to no end! Another bonus to this cake recipe is that your home is guaranteed to smell sweet and warm when guests arrive.
This dessert is also easy to pack if you’re going somewhere because all its ingredients are dumped into a 9 x 13 pan and then baked. Let’s dive into the simple step-by-step instructions for this amazingly scrumptious creation!
Insanely Delicious Lemon Dump Cake
Why Is It Called A Dump Cake?
Dump cakes are American desserts similar to cobblers, except they have a cake-like topping. The simple ingredients are dumped into a baking pan (no mixing involved) and then baked in the oven.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 Box Of Yellow Cake Mix, approximately 15-18 ounces.
- 3/4 Cup Of Salted Butter (1 and 1/2 sticks), cold. Keeping the butter cold will make it easier to slice it into pieces.
- 1 Can Of Lemon Pie Filling, approximately 21 ounces.
- 8 ounces of Whipped Cream Cheese (Be sure to buy whipped cream cheese because a brick will only harden after it’s baked and won’t taste great.)
- Whipped Cream is optional but recommended!
Equipment Needed:
- Oven
Can You Make This Lemon Dump Cake Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! It’s the perfect dessert for a large gathering and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Be sure to keep the cake well covered with saran wrap.
How To Make Lemon Dump Cake (With Cream Cheese), Step-By-Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Coat the 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3: Dump one can of lemon pie filling into the pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
Step 4: Sprinkle half of the cake mix over the top of the lemon filling.
Step 5: Dollop 8 ounces of whipped cream cheese evenly over the top of the dry cake layer. Slightly press the pieces of cream cheese into the lemon filling.
Step 6: Now add the rest of the cake mix on top. Pat the cake mix down with your fingers or a spoon.
Step 7: Cut the cold butter (1.5 sticks) into thin slices and add them on top of the cake evenly.
Step 8: Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees F or until golden brown and bubbly.
Step 9: Allow the dump cake to rest for at least 15 minutes before scooping. Serve each warm piece with optional whipped cream.
Expert Tips & Variations For Making The BEST Lemon Dump Cake:
- DO NOT mix anything for this recipe. Remember, you only want to “dump” the ingredients into the pan.
- Use whipped cream cheese instead of a brick of cream cheese.
- Lemon Curd can be used for a more robust tart flavor variation instead of lemon pie filling.
FAQs For This Dessert Recipe
Can I Make This Lemon Dump Cake Recipe In A Crockpot?
You can, but I’ve found the cake has a crunchier baked topping if it’s spread out in a 9 x 13 baking pan. When I made a dump cake in the crockpot, the top was softer.
Could I Make 3-Ingredient Lemon Dump Cake Without Cream Cheese?
Yes! Just omit the cream cheese ingredient and only use the three other components in the recipe.
Is Dump Cake Supposed To Be Gooey?
The fruit insides of a dump cake are often made with pie filling, which is gooey in the BEST way!
How Should I Serve Lemon Dump Cake With Cream Cheese?
I recommend serving a warm piece of this lemon dump cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Some prefer vanilla ice cream.
Should Dump Cake Be Stored In The Refrigerator?
Yes! Store this dump cake in the refrigerator and cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Can I Switch A Yellow Cake Mix For The Lemon Cake Mix?
Absolutely! Whatever cake mix you want to use will be delicious with this recipe.
How Would I Make Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake?
Use two cans of blueberry pie filling instead of the lemon and lemon cake mix instead of yellow.
Is This Dump Cake Recipe Easy?
So easy! And delicious.
What Is The Best Way To Store And Reheat This Cake?
Store the lemon dump cake in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can reheat a piece of the dump cake in the microwave.
Can You Make This The Night Before?
Yes! You can make this ahead of time and serve it the next day.
Lemon Dump Cake
Equipment
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish
- Can Opener
- Spatula
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Oven
Ingredients
Ingredients You'll Need For Lemon Dump Cake
- 1 Box Of Yellow Cake Mix, approximately 15-18 ounces.
- 3/4 cup Salted Butter (1.5 sticks), cold. Keeping the butter cold will make it easier to slice it into thin pieces.
- 1 Can of Lemon Pie Filling, approximately 21 ounces.
- 8 ounces Whipped Cream Cheese (only buy whipped cream cheese)
- Whipped Cream is optional but recommended!
Instructions
How To Make Lemon Dump Cake, Step-By-Step
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Coat the 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Dump one can of lemon pie filling into the pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle half of the cake mix over the top of the lemon filling.
- Dollop 8 ounces of whipped cream cheese evenly over the top of the dry cake layer. Slightly press the pieces of cream cheese into the lemon filling.
- Now add the rest of the cake mix on top. Pat the cake mix down with your fingers or a spoon.
- Cut the cold butter (1.5 sticks) into thin slices and add them on top of the cake evenly.
- Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees F or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow the dump cake to rest for at least 15 minutes before scooping. Serve each warm piece with optional whipped cream.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On Lemon Dump Cake
Make this EASY Lemon Dump Cake the next time you want a citrus cake that’s oozing with warm sweetness! Sharing is caring, so if you LOVE this dessert recipe, please pass it on to your friends and family on social media. You can follow career girl meets…on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more home decor ideas, recipes, and gift guides.
Leave a Reply