Description
This Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a simple yet decadent dessert featuring a creamy lemon filling layered with a rich cream cheese mixture and topped with a crumbly cake mix crust. With minimal prep and a straightforward baking method, it delivers a tangy and sweet flavor perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the baking dish
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
Cake and Filling
- 1 (13.25 to 15.25-ounce) box yellow, butter, or lemon cake mix
- 1 (21-ounce) can lemon pie filling, divided
Optional for Serving
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with 10 tablespoons of melted butter, powdered sugar, and kosher salt until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Egg: Incorporate the large egg into the cream cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully combined for a rich texture.
- Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth base layer.
- Add Lemon Pie Filling: Spoon the lemon pie filling over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly to distribute the tangy fruit flavor.
- Top with Cake Mix: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the lemon pie filling layer. Do not stir, as this creates a crumbly topping during baking.
- Butter the Crust: Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the top of the cake mix to help it brown and crisp up.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from oven and let the cake cool for a few minutes to set before serving.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Do not stir the cake mix with the filling layers; it creates the signature crumbly topping.
- You can substitute the lemon pie filling with other fruit pie fillings like cherry or blueberry for variety.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Let the cake cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and to help it set.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lemon cream cheese dump cake, easy lemon dessert, cream cheese cake, lemon dessert, simple dessert recipe, layered dump cake
