This slow cooker 3-ingredient Arnold Palmer dump cake is my go-to summer dessert when life is busy but I still want to show up to a barbecue with something everyone gets excited about. It’s inspired by the classic Arnold Palmer drink—half lemonade, half iced tea—baked into a bubbly lemon cake with a sweet tea-infused filling underneath. My uncle literally asks if I’m bringing “the tea cake” to every cookout now. You just pour, sprinkle, and let the slow cooker do the work while you handle everything else on your to-do list.
Scoop the warm dump cake straight from the slow cooker into bowls and serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream so it melts into the gooey center. It’s especially good with a cold glass of iced tea or lemonade on the side to echo the Arnold Palmer flavors. For a barbecue spread, I like to set the slow cooker on “warm” next to the drinks station so people can help themselves after burgers and hot dogs—no need to slice, just scoop and enjoy.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Arnold Palmer Dump CakeServings: 8-10
Ingredients
1 (21-ounce) can lemon pie filling
1 (15.25-ounce) box lemon cake mix (dry mix only)
1 cup prepared sweet iced tea (room temperature or cool)
Directions
Lightly coat the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Spread the lemon pie filling evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker, making sure it forms a smooth, even layer that covers the entire base.
Pour the sweet iced tea evenly over the lemon pie filling. Do not stir; you want the tea to soak into the filling and cake mix as it cooks, creating that gooey Arnold Palmer-inspired center.
Sprinkle the dry lemon cake mix evenly over the top of the lemon pie filling and tea. Gently break up any big clumps with your fingers or a spoon, but do not mix it in—you’re aiming for an even blanket of dry mix over the surface.
Place a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker insert, then put the lid on. This helps catch excess moisture so the cake topping bakes up more golden and less soggy around the edges.
Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, until the top is mostly set and golden around the edges but still a little soft and bubbly in the center. Every slow cooker runs a bit differently, so start checking toward the earlier time.
Once done, carefully remove the lid (watch for steam) and lift off the towel. Let the dump cake sit with the heat turned off for about 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly while still staying warm and gooey.
Scoop the cake straight from the slow cooker, making sure to get both the golden lemon cake from the top and the sweet tea-lemon filling from the bottom in each serving. Serve warm, ideally with ice cream or whipped cream, and keep the slow cooker on WARM for up to 1 hour for seconds.
Variations & Tips
For a slightly less sweet version, use unsweetened iced tea and add sugar to taste before measuring out your 1 cup, or choose a lightly sweetened bottled tea. You can also swap in a different lemon pie filling brand or a sugar-free version if that fits your needs, just know the texture may be a bit looser. If you prefer a stronger tea flavor, increase the iced tea to 1 1/4 cups, but be aware this will make the center extra gooey and may take a bit longer to set. For a citrus twist, garnish each serving with fresh lemon zest or a thin lemon slice. To add crunch without increasing the main ingredient list, you can sprinkle chopped nuts or crushed shortbread cookies on individual servings right before eating instead of baking them in. Food safety tips: Always make sure your slow cooker is in good working condition and that the cake reaches a safe hot temperature throughout; the center should be bubbling around the edges. Avoid lifting the lid repeatedly during cooking, as this can lower the temperature and extend the cook time. Once the cake has been on WARM for about an hour, turn the slow cooker off and let it cool; refrigerate leftovers in a covered container within 2 hours of serving and enjoy within 3 to 4 days, reheating individual portions until steaming hot before eating.
