The “Lazy Lemon” Cream Cheese Dump Cake
This recipe creates three distinct layers: a tart lemon base, a gooey cheesecake center, and a buttery, crisp crust.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Bake Time | 40–45 minutes |
| Total Time | 55 minutes |
| Yield | 12 servings |
🍴 Ingredients
- 1 can (21 oz) Lemon Pie Filling
- 8 oz (1 pkg) Cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 box (15.25 oz) Yellow or White Cake Mix (dry)
- ¾ cup (1.5 sticks) Unsalted butter, cold/frozen
- Optional: 1 tbsp lemon zest for extra zing
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Foundation
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan. This provides the moisture that will eventually “cook” the cake mix from the bottom up.
2. The Cheesecake “Clouds”
- In a small bowl, whisk the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Drop spoonfuls of this mixture over the lemon filling. Use a knife to gently swirl it (just a little!) so you get pockets of cream cheese in every bite.
3. The “Dump”
- Sprinkle the entire box of dry cake mix evenly over the lemon and cream cheese layers. Use a fork to level it out, but do not stir it into the wet ingredients.
4. The Butter Seal
- Using a box grater, grate the cold butter over the top of the cake mix, ensuring you cover all the “white spots.”
- The Crunch Tip: If you like a little extra texture, sprinkle ¼ cup of sparkling sugar or sliced almonds over the butter before baking.
5. The Golden Bake
- Bake for 40–45 minutes. You are looking for a deep golden brown top and lemon filling that is bubbling up around the edges.
- The Rest Period: Let the cake sit for at least 20 minutes before serving. This allows the lemon filling to thicken so it doesn’t run all over the plate.
The “Warm vs. Cold” Debate: While most dump cakes are served warm with vanilla ice cream, the cream cheese in this version makes it spectacular when chilled. If you let it set in the fridge overnight, it takes on the texture of a dense, lemon-infused cheesecake bar.