If you love effortless desserts that look and taste impressive, this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake is a must-try. It delivers bright citrus flavor, rich creamy texture, and a golden crumble top—all with pantry staples and just one bowl. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or dinner parties, this easy lemon cake will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love It
This isn’t your average dump cake. Layers of buttery cake mix, tangy lemon pie filling, and smooth cream cheese bake into a dessert that feels elegant and bakery-worthy. The bottom forms a rich, shortbread-like base, while the top becomes crisp and golden, adding texture to each bite.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow or lemon cake mix
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1.5 to 2 cans (21 oz each) lemon pie filling
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Optional: powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch ceramic baking dish for best results.
- Base Layer: In a large bowl, mix the cake mix and melted butter until crumbly. Press half of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish to form the crust.
- Lemon Filling: Spread 1.5 to 2 cans of lemon pie filling over the crust layer. Use 2 cans for extra gooeyness.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, egg, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Spread evenly over the lemon filling.
- Top Crumble: Sprinkle the remaining cake mix mixture on top. Don’t worry about covering it completely—a rustic look is perfect.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cream cheese is set. Let cool for at least 45 minutes before slicing.
- Serve: Dust with powdered sugar, or serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips & Variations
- Cake Mix Options: Yellow cake mix gives a balanced flavor; lemon cake mix intensifies the citrus.
- Pie Filling: Stick with lemon for tangy contrast. Use 1.5 cans for the perfect gooey-to-firm ratio.
- Pan Type: Ceramic pans bake evenly and release clean slices.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Freeze individual slices and reheat in the oven.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting brunch or craving something sweet on a weeknight, this Lemon Cream Cheese Dump Cake delivers flavor, texture, and elegance with minimal effort. Make it once, and it might just become your new go-to dessert.