Description
This Lemon Dump Cake with Poppy Seeds is the ultimate lazy-day dessert—bursting with bright lemon flavor, creamy pockets of cream cheese, and a speckled golden top. No mixing bowls. No fuss. Just layer, bake, and let the oven do the magic!
Ingredients
• 1 (21 oz) can lemon pie filling (or lemon curd thinned with 1–2 tbsp water)
• 1 box yellow or white cake mix
• 4 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
• ½ cup unsalted butter, thinly sliced
• ½ tsp poppy seeds
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2️⃣ Layer the Lemon Base
Spread lemon pie filling evenly across the bottom of the baking dish with the back of a spoon.
3️⃣ Dot with Cream Cheese
Scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the lemon layer.
4️⃣ Add the Cake Mix
Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the entire surface—don’t stir it in!
5️⃣ Sprinkle with Poppy Seeds
Add a light dusting of poppy seeds over the cake mix layer for flavor and visual flair.
6️⃣ Top with Butter
Lay thin slices of butter across the top to cover as much of the cake mix as possible. This will melt and create a golden crust.
7️⃣ Bake to Perfection
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and edges are bubbling. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
8️⃣ Cool & Serve
Let cool at least 15 minutes to help layers set. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
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For best flavor, use full-fat cream cheese and allow it to soften slightly before cubing—it melts more evenly throughout the cake.
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Don’t overpack the cake mix—sprinkle it loosely and evenly to ensure the topping bakes into a light, golden crust.
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Fresh lemon zest can be added to the pie filling for an extra citrus punch.
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Poppy seeds add texture and a nostalgic muffin-like taste, but the cake is still delicious without them.
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Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly and slices more cleanly.
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Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds to enjoy warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of 9x13-inch pan)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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