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This easy Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake is the best dessert recipe and made with only 6 ingredients! Fresh blueberries with pops of citrus and a rich, buttery topping–all baked up using only one dish. So simple and perfect with a scoop of ice cream!
In the words of Uncle Jesse, Lord have mercy.
Delicious, fail proof, buttery rich Blueberry Dump Cake with the fresh citrus flavor is everything you need in a dessert.
I am a huge fan of lemon (ha, naturally!) and blueberry together. From my Blueberry Lemon Energy Bites, to Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats, I do indeed have quite a few options for the combo but this Dump Cake LITERALLY takes the cake.
Why You Will Love This Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake:
- Only 6 ingredients are required.
- It can all be made in one dish!
- It is so so good with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- 10 minutes to prep.
- It is so DELICIOUS!
What is “Dump Cake”?
It may sound off putting, but I promise it’s not. It’s a “cake” that is more like a cobbler that is the EASIEST cake you will ever make.
The word “dump” represents the fact that you simply dump all of the ingredients into a pan and then bake it. No joke, dump and bake–that’s the magic of a dump cake.
The magic happens when you layer butter on top of a cake mix and as it bakes, the butter melts into the cake mix and forms this rich, crusty layer that is so very perfect. It’s like crumble but since the amount of effort needed to make it was so minimal, it is so much better than any crumble out there!
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- blueberries: you can use fresh or frozen. I prefer fresh. If using frozen, thaw and then strain ay excess liquid. You can sub for another berry or add a mixture of them.
- sugar: sweeten the berries to your liking. You could use another sweetener if desired, but regular sugar is what we use.
- corn starch: this thickens up the blueberry layer of this recipe.
- lemon zest: the key is adding the zest to both the berries AND the cake mix. Sure you could use a lemon cake mix but I promise, fresh lemon zest is always, always, always better.
- yellow cake mix: I used Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Yellow Cake. You can use a gluten free cake mix if desired. Like I said, I opted for the yellow cake and fresh lemon zest in the berries and over the mix.
- butter: I prefer unsalted in this blueberry dump cake recipe.
How to make this Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.Â
- In a greased 9×13 baking pan, toss together sugar, corn starch, blueberries and 1 tablespoon lemon zest. Spread out evenly into the pan. You can do this in a separate bowl if preferred, but really no need!
- Pour cake mix over top of the berries to cover completely. Sprinkle the other 1 tablespoon of lemon zest (can always use a bit more if desired!) over top of the cake mix and using a spoon or your fingers try to gently incorporate it into the cake mix.
- Slice the butter thin, into about 1/4 in thick pieces and spread evenly all over the cake mix. Place in the oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes or until bubbly and to the desired brown color. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Recipe Tips
- You can use the same pan for this entire recipe. Toss the berries, sugar, and lemon zest together in the pan and then layer everything right on top.
- When lining up the butter, you want to keep the butter close and spread it so that it will cover the entire pan. I found halfway that a few spots didn’t have enough butter spread on them and so I just added more in the middle of baking. Another solve for this: cut your butter slightly thinner and leave less space between the edges. I had no problem adding a touch more here and there.
- Dump cakes are fairly thin (in height) but they are rich. Using a 9×13 pan works well but if you want your dump cake to be a bit deeper, use a slightly smaller pan–some casserole dishes that measure in quarts versus length can be another good option. You may just need to extend the time slightly.
- Bake this to the color brown that you prefer. If you like your crumble toppings on the lighter side, feel free to pull this out of the oven a bit early. And you can also leave it in a touch longer to get it nice and extra brown–my personal favorite.
Other desserts to try:
- Lemon Champagne Bundt Cake
- Easy One Dish Apple Dump Cake
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
- 5 Minute Blueberry Cheesecake Dip
- Blueberry Lemon Mug Cake
- Birthday Cake Cookies
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Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 6 c blueberries
- 2/3 c sugar
- 1 T cornstarch
- 2 T lemon zest, separated
- 1/2 c butter (plus 1-2 T more if needed)
- 1 15.25 oz. cake mix (I used Betty Crocker super moist yellow)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a greased 9×13 baking pan, toss together sugar, corn starch, blueberries and 1 tablespoon lemon zest. Spread out evenly into the pan.Â
- Pour cake mix over top of the berries to cover completely. Sprinkle the other 1 tablespoon of lemon zest (can always use a bit more if desired!) over top of the cake mix and using a spoon or your fingers try to gently incorporate it into the cake mix.
- Slice the butter thin, into about 1/4 in thick pieces and spread evenly all over the cake mix. Place in the oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes or until bubbly and to the desired brown color.
- Remove and allow to cool. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can use the same pan for this entire recipe. Toss the berries, sugar, and lemon zest together in the pan and then layer everything right on top.
- When lining up the butter, you want to keep the butter close and spread it so that it will cover the entire pan. I found halfway that a few spots didn’t have enough butter spread on them and so I just added more in the middle of baking. Another solve for this: cut your butter slightly thinner and leave less space between the edges. I had no problem adding a touch more here and there.
- Dump cakes are fairly thin (in height) but they are rich. Using a 9×13 pan works well but if you want your dump cake to be a bit deeper, use a slightly smaller pan–some casserole dishes that measure in quarts versus length can be another good option. You may just need to extend the time slightly.
- Bake this to the color brown that you prefer. If you like your crumble toppings on the lighter side, feel free to pull this out of the oven a bit early. And you can also leave it in a touch longer to get it nice and extra brown–my personal favorite.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love all kinds of blueberry desserts so this dump cake is calling my name! Lemon and blueberries is such a yummy combo! Going to give this recipe a try pronto!
My favorite kind of desserts as well. Hope that you love it!
I would love a big bowl of this delicious looking dump cake with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream on top right now. I haven’t made a dump cake yet, but this is on my list to try! Blueberries and lemons are a match made in heaven.
Agree 100%! Cannot beat this combo one bit. And you will be hooked after you make one!
Your pictures are gorgeous. You chose a great cake to photograph, because it’s so casual and looks perfect that way. And what a great one! I love blueberries. I’m sure that your eventually layer cake is going to be stunning.
Awwww thanks so much Jeff–here’s to hoping it doesn’t turn out too lopsided!
Wow, this is crazy easy! And it has been so long since I have had dump cake. Love the lemon blueberry combo here!!!
Yes, such a great combo. And it sounds to me like you need one really soon!
I have GOT to try dump cakes because I’ve heard such great things!! This one looks like a winner
Yes, yes you do, for real. And thank you so much!
Omg this dessert looks SO good. The lemon and blueberry combo looks so fresh! I’m literally drooling over how decadent this blueberry lemon dumpcake looks with icecream on top!
Thanks!!! The ice cream on top is 100% a must to truly experience this treat!!
I am definitely not a pro cake maker so this is right up my street! Lord have mercy indeed! I can’t wait to make this, pinned for later x
Thanks so much Michelle, I appreciate you pinning. And yes, for the non pro-cake makers like us, this one is where it’s at!!
Blueberries and lemons go so well together! This cake looks so delicious. Love how easy this is. Pinning!
I appreciate you pinning! Blueberry and lemon together is my favorite combo of all!
There’s no better feeling in the world than having this Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake on your plate. This looks really delicious!
Wow—that is quite the compliment!
What an easy recipe to have in my back pocket when unexpected company arrives! And nothing is better than blueberries and lemon together. Have quite a few of this recipes myself. Looks delicious and love how little there is to clean up after.
Oh yea, gotta love trying to pull things together for unexpected company. They will be quite impressed for sure!