This delicious Lemon Dump Cake recipe brings a delightful creamy citrusy flavor to this quick and easy dessert. The moist pudding-like cake has only 4 ingredients with just minutes of hands on time to prepare. It's the ideal dessert for any occasion.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's an uncomplicated cake dessert to make with only 4 ingredients.
- The recipe has simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- Lemon is a popular flavor with everyone, especially in the summer months.
- This is a casual dessert perfect for finishing family meals.
If you can open a can and box then slice a few ingredients you can make this amazing lemon dessert. But don't let the simplicity fool you, this lemon dump cake rates right up there in flavor with the best lemon dessert recipes.
🛒 Ingredients
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Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the Lemon Dump Cake recipe card below.
🗒 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Spray a 9X13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Evenly spread the lemon pie filling on the bottom of the pan.
- Slice the cream cheese and place on top of the lemon filling.
- Make sure to evenly space the cream cheese over the pie filling.
- Gently push each slice down into the lemon filling.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the filling and cream cheese.
- Make sure to evenly spread the mix so that it covers the bottom layers.
- Cut very thin pats of butter and cover the entire top of the cake mix.
- Make sure to cover as much of the cake as possible.
- Bake in a preheated 350℉ oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
- The cake is done when the topping is browned. The cake is pudding-like so some of the top may have moist spots. That's okay -- it is done.
- Let the cake cool for a bit.
- Serve warm by itself or with some whipped cream or ice cream.
🔪 Equipment
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You’ll need the following items to make this Lemon pudding cake recipe successfully.
🤔 FAQs
These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making (recipe name)
A dump cake is an American dessert similar to a cobbler but with a cake-like topping. It is so named because it is prepared by "dumping" ingredients (such as canned fruit or pie filling, followed by a boxed cake mix) into a baking dish without mixing. Our Lemon Dump Cake Recipe is similar to a pudding cake with a lot less work.
It's best to refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container. The dessert will last for several days in the refrigerator but we've never had it last that long.
They are pretty similar, but a dump cake uses cake mix, the type you purchase at the store. Both have a bottom layer of fruit filling or pie filling, but a cobbler uses a biscuit or pie crust topping.
You can add lemon juice or lemon zest (or both!); the tartness from the lemon helps cut the sweetness of the cake mix. It's also a great idea if you love lemon flavor because it enhances the citrus taste giving the dessert more of a fine bakery taste.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
When purchasing the cake mix at the store, make sure it doesn't already have a pudding mix in it. You want a plain lemon cake mix.
Make sure your butter is VERY cold so that you can easily slice the pats thin. You want as much of the cake mix covered with the butter as possible. The butter will melt down into the lemon cake dessert and not spread out. If there are large gaps, the cake mix that's not covered will be dry and powdery.
📚 Variations
You can make up as many dump cake variations as your imagination will allow. Such as:
- Cinnamon Peach
- Apple Caramel
- Lemon Blueberry
- Strawberry Almond
- Cherry Chocolate
🥫 Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be just fine for 5 to 7 days. I really don't think you'll have too much to worry about, the dessert goes fast.
You can also store this lemon dump cake in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you're ready to serve it.
📗 Related Recipes
If you're into lemon flavored desserts then our delicious Lemon Tart with a Biscotti Crust would be another one you have to try.
Italians love using lemons for all sorts of dishes from asparagus, grilled shrimp, and even pasta.
I love adding lemon to my water because of all the health benefits and taste.
🍽 Serve with
Serve this yummy lemon dessert with a big scoop of our homemade vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you'd like more color to your dessert add some blueberries. Lemon and blueberries are a fantastic combination, you only have to look at our Lemon Blueberry Cream Pie.
A quick meal to serve before this luscious dessert would be some easy roasted Lemon Garlic Chicken. It's another recipe that uses few ingredients.
And to continue with the citrus theme, Lemon Parmesan Broccoli is perfect.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Whenever I want a quick dessert I look no further than a dump cake. The combinations are endless and it's super easy to throw together. We especially love this recipe for Lemon Dump Cake. I always keep the ingredients handy just in case...
Next time if you're craving something orangey, be sure to check out the Orange Creamsicle Bar recipe. The dessert is easy to make and reminiscent of those famous ice cream bars.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📝 Recipe Card
Look no further than this easy 4 ingredient dessert recipe if you need a quick and delicious summery treat. Each bite bursts with a fresh sunny citrus flavor. Top this lemon-like cobbler with your favorite vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
And if you're a lemon dessert lover, next time try out our Old-Fashioned Lemon Bars. They are great finish to a summer picnic or backyard barbecue.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
📖 Recipe
Amazing Citrusy Lemon Dump Cake
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 Package Lemon Cake Mix may substitute yellow cake mix
- 2 cans Lemon pie filling 15.75-ounce size cans
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- ½ cup Salted Butter very cold
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Spray the bottom and sides of the baking pan with non stick cooking spray.
- Spread both cans of the lemon filling into the bottom of a 9"X13" baking dish.
- Slice the cream cheese over the lemon filling and gently push each slice down into the lemon filling.
- Evenly sprinkle the cake mix over the lemon and cream cheese layers.
- Spread thin pats of butter over the entire top of the dry cake mix. Make sure as much of the cake mix is covered as possible. ** see notes
- Bake about 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is browned.
- Serve Warm and with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
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Lisa
The dump cake was very good! I love dump cakes. Was the cream cheese supposed to melt into the lemon? Mine did not. Did I do something wrong? I love cream cheese but the chunks were a bit much. My husband pushed them to the side and ate (devoured) the rest. When I make it next time can I use my stand mixer to incorporate the cream cheese into the pie filling? Thank you
Marisa Franca
Hi Lisa! I'm sorry about the cream cheese not melting into the lemon. Was the cream cheese at room temperature? As far as adding it to the pie filling - I haven't tried that so I can't tell you with certainty - but you could try that out and let us know! We love our dump cakes. In fact my daughter loves doing it with strawberry filling. Happy baking!
Denise Sartain
Does this need to be refrigerated if there is any left?
Marisa Franca
Hi, Denise. Yes, it's best to store this dessert in the fridge covered with a lid or plastic wrap for 5 to 7 days. Happy baking!
Rhonda
My mom asked me to make desert for Easter so I visited this site instead of looking elsewhere. I considered some of the family favorites, but I wanted something we haven't had that was light, easy to make and would complement Easter and springtime. The lemon dump cake was perfect! I will definitely make this again, several times, but will use only one can of lemon pie filling instead of two. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe, it now belongs to the list of family favorites! LOL
Marisa Franca
Hi Rhonda! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe. You're VERY kind and I always encourage cooks to follow their preferences -- so 1 can of lemon pie filling it is for you. My daughter did a strawberry version and LOVED it!!xoxo
Lu
I can’t find canned lemon pie filling. Can I use instant pie filling?
Marisa Franca
Hi Lu! I've never tried using the instant pie filling so I can't guarantee how good it would be. I checked Amazon and Wal-Mart and they both do carry the Lemon Pie filling. Let me know how it goes!
Ron
Rather than drizzle melted butter over the cake mix can the butter and cake mix be mixed together then spread on top of cream cheese
Marisa Franca
I haven't tried your method, Ron, so I'd hate to advise you on it and have it NOT turn out. The melted butter way is really easy to do.
Michelle Ball
Whoa! I have had several dump cakes but not this one- I think I will make for Easter with sliced strawberries and whipped cream- my guess is we will have far fewer than 12 servings 🤔😂
Marisa Franca
Ciao Michelle! I would agree with you. I bet it goes fast!
Paula Rosenquist
Do you have to use the cream cheese ?
Marisa Franca
Hi, Paula! Yes you do - that's part of the dessert.