This 4-ingredient lemon blueberry dump cake is exactly the kind of dessert I lean on during a busy workweek or when we get last-minute company. It has all the cozy, Midwestern potluck vibes but takes almost no effort—just layering, dumping, and baking. The idea of a “dump cake” goes way back to those church cookbook days where the goal was maximum comfort with minimum fuss. Here, the bright lemon and juicy blueberries taste like spring, even if it’s the dead of winter outside. You’ll split everything between two glass casserole dishes, which is perfect if you want to take one to a friend or stash one for later. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together after work and still feel like you made something special from scratch… without actually having to bake from scratch.
This lemon blueberry dump cake is best served warm, scooped right out of the glass casserole dish. I love it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream so it melts into all the little nooks and crannies, but lightly sweetened whipped cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt works great if you want something a bit lighter. For a brunch spread, pair it with a simple egg bake or scrambled eggs and a big fruit salad so you’ve got a mix of sweet and savory on the table. If you’re serving it after dinner, coffee or hot tea balances the sweetness nicely, and a side of fresh berries makes it feel a touch more “put together” without any extra work.
4-Ingredient Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake (Baked in 2 Glass Casserole Dishes)
Servings: 12
Ingredients
2 (21-ounce) cans blueberry pie filling
1 (15.25-ounce) box lemon cake mix (dry mix only)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no need to thaw if frozen)
Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing the dishes, optional)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two 8×8-inch or similar-sized glass casserole dishes with nonstick cooking spray.
Divide the blueberry pie filling evenly between the two dishes, spreading it into an even layer in each one.
Sprinkle the fresh or frozen blueberries evenly over the pie filling in both dishes. This adds extra bursts of fruit and makes the cake feel a little more homemade.
Open the box of lemon cake mix and divide the dry mix as evenly as you can between the two dishes. Sprinkle the dry mix in an even layer over the blueberries in each dish—do not stir.
Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake mix in both dishes, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible. It’s okay if there are a few dry patches; they’ll turn into a slightly crunchy topping.
Place both casserole dishes on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and the blueberry filling is bubbling around the edges. If your dishes are deeper or the layer is thicker, you may need to add a few extra minutes.
Remove from the oven and let the dump cakes cool for at least 10–15 minutes so they can set slightly. Serve warm, scooped into bowls, with ice cream or whipped cream if you like.
To store, cover the cooled casseroles tightly with plastic wrap or lids and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm the whole dish in a 300°F oven until heated through.
Variations & Tips
To tweak this recipe for your schedule or pantry, you’ve got options. If you can’t find lemon cake mix, use a yellow or white cake mix and stir 1–2 teaspoons of lemon zest into the pie filling before layering; a splash of lemon juice (about 1 tablespoon) also brightens the flavor. For a slightly less sweet version, use one can of blueberry pie filling and bulk it up with 2–3 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries instead of two full cans. If you prefer a richer topping, cut cold butter into thin slices and lay them evenly across the dry cake mix instead of using melted butter—this gives you more of a cobbler-style top. You can also add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (like sliced almonds or pecans) over the cake mix before baking for extra crunch. To make this more brunch-friendly, bake one dish a bit less so it stays softer and more spoonable, almost like a fruit bake. And if you’re planning ahead, assemble both casseroles earlier in the day, cover, and refrigerate; just pull them out while the oven preheats and add 5–10 extra minutes to the bake time to account for the cold dishes.
