Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe: Sweet Simplicity

Decadent desserts can surprise even the most discerning palates, especially when a lemon cream cheese dump cake emerges from your oven with golden-brown perfection.

Sweet and tangy flavors dance together in this effortless treat that requires minimal preparation.

Cream cheese adds luxurious richness to every delightful bite.

Simple ingredients combine to create a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Layers of zesty lemon and smooth cream cheese promise a delectable experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The magic happens when you mix everything directly in the baking pan, making cleanup a breeze.

This dessert stands ready to become your new go-to recipe for instant dessert satisfaction.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 40-45 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Use For Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Lemon Pie Filling: Tangy foundation that creates a vibrant, zesty base with bright citrus notes and silky smooth texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy dimension and brings luxurious tanginess to complement the lemon's sharpness.

• Lemon Cake Mix: Provides structured sweetness and intense lemon flavor, creating the cake's primary texture and taste profile.

• Butter: Transforms dry ingredients into a golden, crispy topping while adding depth and richness to the entire dessert.

• Whipped Cream: Light, airy topping that softens the cake's intense lemon flavor.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Cooling contrast that balances the dessert's warm, zesty character.

Tools For Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Baking

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and baking the dump cake, providing the perfect size and shape.
• Mixing bowl: Use for melting butter or any quick mixing needs.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately measuring ingredients like cake mix and butter.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for spreading and distributing ingredients evenly in the baking dish.
• Oven mitts: Protect your hands when handling the hot baking dish.
• Whisk or fork: Useful for melting butter or quick stirring if needed.

Steps To Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake

• Oven Preparation

Warm up your kitchen with a cozy oven setting at 175C. Grab a rectangular baking dish and give it a quick protective spray to prevent any sticky situations.

• Flavor Layers

Spread a smooth blanket of tangy lemon filling across the dish’s bottom. Dot the surface with creamy cheese cubes, creating little pockets of richness. Dust the entire landscape with a dry cake mix that promises pure lemony magic. Drizzle melted butter like a golden river, ensuring every corner gets a delicious touch.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the dish into the warm oven. Watch the ingredients dance and merge for 35-40 minutes until the top becomes a golden, bubbly masterpiece with crispy edges.

• Sweet Finale

Let the cake rest and settle, allowing its flavors to mingle. Serve it with a dollop of fluffy cream or a scoop of cool vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

Tips For The Creamiest Lemon Dump Cake

• Lemon Zest Mastery: Pro Tips for a Stunning Dump Cake
• Butter Distribution Magic: Drizzle melted butter slowly and evenly to ensure the cake mix gets perfectly crispy and golden across the entire surface.
• Cream Cheese Technique: Cut cream cheese into small, uniform cubes to help it melt smoothly and create delightful pockets of creamy goodness throughout the cake.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the dump cake a day ahead and reheat gently before serving to intensify the lemon flavors and maintain its delectable texture.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular cake mix with a gluten-free lemon cake mix to make this dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dietary Delight: For a lower-sugar version, use sugar-free lemon pie filling and a reduced-sugar cake mix without compromising the zesty, bright flavor profile.

Serving Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake With Whip Or Ice Cream

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Pair this tangy lemon cream cheese dump cake with a light morning frittata or fresh citrus salad for a bright weekend breakfast spread.
• Cool Summer Dessert Delight: Top warm slices with cold vanilla ice cream or dollop with fresh whipped cream to create a refreshing contrast between warm cake and cool topping.
• Elegant Gathering Treat: Serve individual portions on beautiful dessert plates with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a small mint leaf for an impressive presentation at dinner parties or afternoon tea gatherings.
• Coffee Complement: Serve slices alongside a steaming cappuccino or herbal tea, allowing the cake's lemony sweetness to balance the rich, robust beverage flavors.

Keep Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Stored Right

• Meal Stashing Strategies: Quick Tips
• Refrigerator Rest: Store leftover cake covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in the coolest section of your refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual slices tightly in aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let cake sit at ambient temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and softness. Avoid leaving out longer than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
• Serving Suggestion Hack: Reheat refrigerated slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven warmth and gooey texture. Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Effortless Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon cream cheese dump cake combines tangy citrus with rich, creamy layers for a simple yet impressive dessert. Easy preparation meets delightful flavor, promising a crowd-pleasing treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 can (540 ml / 21 oz) lemon pie filling
• 1 box (432 g / 15.25 oz) lemon cake mix
• 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
• ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 175C (350F) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy release.
2. Foundation Layer: Spread lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish, creating a smooth, vibrant base that will infuse the cake with citrusy brightness.
3. Cream Cheese Integration: Scatter cream cheese cubes across the lemon filling, allowing them to nestle naturally and create pockets of tangy, creamy surprise throughout the dessert.
4. Cake Mix Coverage: Uniformly sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix over the entire surface, ensuring complete and consistent coverage that will transform into a delectable golden crust.
5. Butter Saturation: Drizzle melted butter generously over the cake mix, strategically moistening the powdery layer to promote a crisp, golden-brown topping with rich flavor.
6. Baking Process: Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the top turns a beautiful golden hue and the edges begin to bubble and caramelize.
7. Cooling and Serving: Allow the cake to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven, letting the layers meld and flavors intensify, then optionally crown with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ultimate indulgence.

Notes

• Prevent Uneven Baking: Rotate the baking dish halfway through cooking to ensure uniform golden-brown color and consistent texture across the entire cake surface.
• Cream Cheese Distribution: Cut cream cheese into small, uniform cubes and slightly chill them before scattering to help maintain distinct pockets and prevent complete melting during baking.
• Moisture Control: If the cake appears too dry, cover loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to retain moisture and prevent excessive browning.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular lemon cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 298
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 306 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 42 mg