Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) Lemon Pie Filling
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) Yellow or Lemon Cake Mix
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) Unsalted Butter, thinly sliced into squares
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and spray it lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Open your cans of lemon pie filling and pour them directly into the bottom of the dish. Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly so it covers the entire base of the pan. This creates the moist, tart foundation for your cake.
- Open the box of cake mix and sprinkle the dry powder evenly over the top of the lemon filling. Do not stir the layers together! Use a spoon or your hand to gently level the dry mix so there are no large mounds. The separation of layers is what creates the unique texture of a dump cake. The moisture from the fruit filling will steam the bottom of the cake mix, while the butter crisp the top.
- Place your thin slices of butter in rows across the top of the dry cake mix. Try to cover as much of the surface area as possible. This is the most important “hack” for a bakery-style finish. As the cake bakes, the butter melts into the cake mix, creating a rich, golden, and slightly crunchy crust. If you have large patches of dry mix without butter, those areas may remain powdery after baking.
- Place the dish in the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You are looking for the edges to bubble and the top to turn a beautiful golden brown. If the center still looks a bit pale, give it another 5 minutes. Once finished, remove the cake from the oven and let it sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This rest period allows the fruit filling to set so it doesn’t run everywhere when you scoop it out.
- Scoop the warm cake into bowls. For a truly elevated experience, top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold cream against the hot, zesty lemon cake creates a perfect balance of temperatures and flavors. You can also dust the top with a little powdered sugar for a professional bakery look.
- Cook Time: 45 minutes