Step 1. Prep Your Pan and Preheat Oven: First, ensure your oven is preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While it’s heating, grab a 9×9 inch baking dish. This size is ideal for the recipe, allowing the cake to bake evenly and achieve the perfect texture. Generously spray the dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and then set it aside.

Step 2. Layer the Lemon Pie Filling: Open your can of lemon pie filling and pour it directly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out into an even layer, covering the entire bottom of the dish. This vibrant lemon base is the heart of your dump cake, providing all that delicious tart-sweet flavor.

Step 3. Add Half the Dry Cake Mix: Next, take your box of yellow cake mix and sprinkle about half of the dry mix evenly over the lemon pie filling. This layer will begin to absorb some moisture and form part of the cakey, crumbly topping once baked. Try to get an even distribution to ensure consistent baking.

Step 4. Distribute Cream Cheese Pieces: Now, evenly scatter the diced cream cheese pieces over the cake mix layer. These creamy nuggets will melt beautifully into the cake as it bakes, creating delightful pockets of richness and a subtle tang that perfectly complements the lemon. Make sure they are somewhat spaced out.

Step 5. Top with Remaining Cake Mix: Finally, sprinkle the remaining dry cake mix over the cream cheese layer, ensuring the cream cheese is mostly covered. This second layer of cake mix will form the top crust, which will become golden and delicious once the butter is added and baked.

Step 6. Add Butter Slices for a Golden Crust: This step is key to a perfectly golden and crisp top. Arrange the thin pats of butter in a single layer all over the top of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible with the butter slices. As the cake bakes, the butter will melt, creating a rich, golden-brown crust and moistening the cake mix underneath.

Step 7. Bake to Perfection: Place your baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. Keep in mind that oven times can vary, so it’s always best to keep an eye on your cake. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is beautifully golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. The filling will be bubbly and the cream cheese melted into delicious pockets. Allow it to cool slightly before serving to let the filling set.

How to Serve Your Delicious Lemon Dump Cake

This Lemon Dump Cake is delightful on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. Serving it warm is highly recommended, as the gooey filling and melted cream cheese are at their most irresistible.

• Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream is a classic choice. Its light, airy texture and subtle sweetness provide a perfect contrast to the rich, tart cake, making each bite feel like a cloud of lemon bliss.
• Ice Cream: For an extra decadent experience, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is a fantastic idea. The cold ice cream melting into the warm cake creates a truly satisfying dessert, reminiscent of a delicious fruit cobbler. Other flavors like lemon sorbet or even a raspberry swirl ice cream would also be delightful.
• Fresh Fruit: To add a touch of freshness and visual appeal, top each serving with a handful of fresh berries. Fresh blueberries are a popular choice that pairs wonderfully with lemon, but raspberries or sliced strawberries would also be excellent, adding a burst of natural sweetness and a pop of color.
• A Dusting of Powdered Sugar and Lemon Zest: For a simple yet elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest can elevate the presentation and intensify the citrus aroma.

Absolutely! Lemon Dump Cake can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Once it has finished baking and has cooled completely to room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. While it will still be delicious, the texture is often best when served warm and fresh from the oven, as the crust is at its crispiest and the filling at its gooest. However, if you’re planning for a party or a busy day, preparing it ahead is a fantastic time-saver. Reheat gently in the oven before serving for the best experience.

Yes, you absolutely can and it’s a popular variation! Switching from a yellow cake mix to a lemon cake mix will intensify the overall lemon flavor of the dump cake, giving it an even more pronounced citrus kick. If you prefer a milder lemon flavor, sticking with the yellow cake mix is perfect. A white cake mix can also be used for a slightly less rich, more subtle cake base, allowing the lemon pie filling to truly be the star. Don’t hesitate to experiment to find your preferred level of lemony goodness!

This lemon dump cake, like most delicious treats, tends to disappear quickly in many households! For any leftovers, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and flavor. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator. You can either cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual servings into an airtight container. Stored this way, leftover Lemon Dump Cake will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days in the fridge. For more detailed information on cake storage, learn How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge.