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### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the oven**: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. **Cream cheese mixture**: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. If you want it a little sweeter, you can add powdered sugar and vanilla extract at this point. Spread the cream cheese mixture in dollops over the lemon pie filling. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just spread it as evenly as you can.
4. **Add the cake mix**: Evenly sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix over the top of the cream cheese mixture. You don’t need to mix it in—just pour and spread it out over the surface.
6. **Optional coconut topping**: If you like a little extra texture and flavor, sprinkle some sweetened shredded coconut over the top before baking. It adds a subtle coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with the lemon.
8. **Cool and serve**: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. You can enjoy it warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
### Tips for the Perfect Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake:
– **For a lighter texture**: Use a white cake mix instead of lemon cake mix if you want a less intense lemon flavor, and the cream cheese will still give it that rich, creamy texture.
– **Make it even more decadent**: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream when serving for an indulgent finish.
– **Mix up the flavor**: Try different pie fillings (such as blueberry or strawberry) for a fun twist on this recipe.
– **Add a pinch of lemon zest**: If you want to bump up the citrus flavor, add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra zing.
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Whether you’re serving it at a special gathering or enjoying it for yourself, this cake will leave everyone asking for the recipe. The combination of creamy cream cheese, bright lemon, and a buttery cake topping is sure to make this a new favorite in your dessert repertoire!
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