A simple, delightful dessert with layers of lemon flavor, cream cheese, and cake mix. Just dump, bake, and enjoy a creamy, tangy treat that's easy to prepare.
Step 1: Kindling the Oven's Warmth
Begin by setting your oven temperature to a comfortable 350°F. This preheating step is crucial, as it ensures your dump cake will bake evenly. While the oven is gradually warming up, take a moment to find a suitable baking vessel—either a 12-inch skillet or a 9x9 or 9x13-inch baking dish—and give it a light coat of grease to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Spread the Sunshine
Pour the lemon pie filling into your chosen baking dish, spreading it out to form an even layer. This vibrant, zesty base will soon be the heart of your cake, providing a delightful citrusy kick in every bite.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Sweetness
Scatter the white chocolate chips over the lemon filling. These little nuggets of sweetness will melt into creamy pockets, complementing the tartness of the lemon perfectly.
Step 4: Cream Cheese Delight
Evenly distribute the cubed cream cheese over the top. Try to achieve a balanced spread, as this will give your cake delightful creamy swirls throughout. If you’re feeling adventurous, slightly press them into the pie filling to ensure they meld beautifully as they bake.
Step 5: A Blanket of Cake Mix
Take the lemon cake mix and gently sprinkle it over the cream cheese and chocolate layer. Your goal here is to cover every inch of the filling, creating a consistent layer that will transform into a deliciously crumbly topping.
Step 6: Butter Pads Galore
Slice your butter into small pads, aiming for about 16 pieces. Arrange these evenly over the cake mix. As the oven works its magic, the butter will melt and percolate through the cake mix, ensuring a golden, crunchy crust.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your masterpiece into the oven and bake for approximately 1 hour. Keep an eye on it; you're looking for a topping that's invitingly golden brown and a filling that’s gently bubbling away. Once it reaches this divine state, your cake is ready to be savored.
Diving into this delightful recipe, a few slip-ups can occur, but worry not, they’re easy to sidestep. One common hiccup is not spreading the cream cheese cubes evenly. A simple tip? Cut them smaller and take a moment to dot them evenly across the pie filling. This ensures every bite is creamy perfection.
Another little snafu is over-baking. A golden rule? Go for golden brown, not golden black. Keep a close eye in the last 15 minutes to catch that perfect shade. Lastly, those butter slices need to be just right. Too thick or thin and you might end up with uneven coverage. Cut them like you’re slicing pats of butter for toast, and you’re all set!
Keywords: Lemon Cream Cheese Casserole, Lemon Cream Cheese Dessert, Lemon Cheesecake Dump Cake, Creamy Lemon Dump Cake, Lemon Cheese Topping Cake, Lemon Delight Cake